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The President is the head of state of Nepal and the guardian of the Constitution, while executive power lies with the Council of Ministers. Part 6 of the Constitution (Articles 61 to 73) sets out how the President and Vice-President are elected, their qualifications, term and functions. This note covers all of this and lists those who have held these offices.
1. Position of the President
- Provisions on the President and Vice-President are in Part 6 of the Constitution, Articles 61 to 73.
- The President is the head of state and promotes national unity.
- The President’s main duty is to abide by and protect the Constitution.
- Nepal has a parliamentary system: the President is a ceremonial head; the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers hold executive power.
- The President is the Supreme Commander of the Nepal Army.
2. Election, qualification and term
| Point | Provision |
|---|---|
| Election | By an electoral college of members of the Federal Parliament and members of the Provincial Assemblies (with weighted votes) |
| Minimum age | 45 years |
| Other qualification | Must be qualified to be a member of the Federal Parliament |
| Term | 5 years from the date of election |
| Re-election limit | A person cannot be elected President more than twice |
| Oath | The President takes the oath before the Chief Justice |
| Resignation | The President resigns by writing to the Vice-President |
| Different gender or community | The President and Vice-President must be of different gender or community (Article 70) |
3. Functions of the President
- Appoints the Prime Minister and, on the PM’s recommendation, other ministers.
- Appoints the Chief Justice on the recommendation of the Constitutional Council, and heads of constitutional bodies.
- Appoints Province Chiefs (Pradesh Pramukh).
- Calls and ends sessions of the Federal Parliament and certifies bills passed by Parliament.
- Can issue ordinances on the government’s recommendation when Parliament is not in session.
- Can declare a state of emergency on the government’s recommendation.
- Grants pardons and gives national honours and titles.
- Most acts are done on the recommendation and consent of the Council of Ministers.
4. Vice-President and impeachment
- The Vice-President is elected in the same way, with the same qualifications and a 5-year term.
- The Vice-President performs the President’s duties when the President is absent or the office is vacant.
- The Vice-President takes the oath before the President.
- Impeachment (Article 101): the President or Vice-President can be removed for serious violation of the Constitution, misconduct or inability, by a two-thirds majority of the total number of members of the Federal Parliament.
5. Presidents and Vice-Presidents of Nepal
| President | Took office |
|---|---|
| Dr. Ram Baran Yadav (first) | 2065 BS (2008) |
| Bidya Devi Bhandari (first woman; two terms) | 2072 BS (2015) |
| Ram Chandra Paudel | 2079 BS (2023) |
| Vice-President | Took office |
|---|---|
| Parmananda Jha (first) | 2065 BS (2008) |
| Nanda Bahadur Pun (two terms) | 2072 BS (2015) |
| Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav | 2079 BS (2023) |
6. Key facts at a glance
| Item | President | Vice-President |
|---|---|---|
| Articles | 61–66 | 67–71 |
| Elected by | Electoral college of federal and provincial lawmakers | Same electoral college |
| Term | 5 years, at most two terms | 5 years |
| Minimum age | 45 years | 45 years |
| First holder | Dr Ram Baran Yadav (2065 BS) | Paramananda Jha (2065 BS) |
7. Holders since the republic
- Presidents: Dr Ram Baran Yadav, Bidya Devi Bhandari (first woman President), Ram Chandra Paudel.
- Vice-Presidents: Paramananda Jha, Nanda Bahadur Pun, Ram Sahaya Prasad Yadav.
- The President and Vice-President must be of different sex or community (Article 70).
8. How this topic is asked in the exam
Objective questions ask the articles, term, age limit and who elects the President. Subjective questions ask about the role of the President in a parliamentary system. Mention ceremonial duties and actions taken on the recommendation of the Council of Ministers.
📌 Key points to remember
- President and Vice-President are in Part 6, Articles 61 to 73.
- President is head of state, guardian of the Constitution and Supreme Commander of the Army.
- Elected by an electoral college of federal and provincial lawmakers.
- Minimum age 45; term 5 years; maximum two terms.
- President takes oath before the Chief Justice; VP before the President.
- President and VP must be of different gender or community (Article 70).
- Impeachment under Article 101 needs two-thirds of total members of Parliament.
- First President: Ram Baran Yadav; first woman President: Bidya Devi Bhandari; first VP: Parmananda Jha.
📝 Quiz
Test yourself: President and Vice-President of Nepal
50 questions check what you read about Position of the President, Functions of the President and Presidents and Vice-Presidents of Nepal. Each attempt picks 25 at random.
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