Ram Nath Kovind to take oath as President of India today: Know all about ceremony procedure, time and guests

A social servant for three decades Ram Nath Kovind will become President of India on Tuesday after an official oath taking ceremony at the Central Hall of the Parliament.

Outgoing President Pranab Mukherjee remitted his office on Monday with a moving address to the nation. 

The President-elect will take the oath in the presence of the Chief Justice of India at 12:15 PM. 

On the morning of the swearing-in day, the President-elect will come to Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt escorted by the Military Secretary to the President. 

Then incumbent will go in a ceremonial cavalcade travelling in the same car to the Parliament. There he will be received in the Parliament by the presiding officers of the two Houses, i.e. the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Vice-President, who is also the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, and will be escorted to the Central Hall.

The President-elect takes an oath or affirmation in the following form:  "I, A.B., do swear in the name of God/solemnly affirm that I will faithfully execute the office of President (or discharge the functions of the President) of India and will to the best of my ability preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of India."

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The Chairman of Rajya Sabha, the Prime Minister, the Chief Justice of India, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Members of Council of Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, Heads of Diplomatic Missions, Members of Parliament and Principal Civil and Military Officers of the Government of India will assemble in the Central Hall for the Ceremony.

After taking the oath the President’s Bodyguard — a ceremonial unit — will escort the newly sworn in President to the president’s official residence, Rashtrapati Bhavan.

According to the Article 56 of the Constitution of India, the President shall hold office for a term of 5 years from the date on which he enters the office. He shall, however, continue to hold office notwithstanding the expiry of his term, until his successor enters upon his office.

Besides Prime Minister Narendra Modi, it is reported that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Jharkhand Chief Minister Raghubar Das and other senior leaders will attend the swearing-in ceremony.

Ram Nath Kovind secured 2930 votes with a value of 7,02,044 while his opponent Meira Kumar got 1,844 votes with the value of 3,67,314.