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Rajendra Prasad
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Rajendra Prasad

डाक्टर राजेन्द्र प्रसाद

Indian statesman, lawyer and writer (1884–1963); first President of India

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Rajendra Prasad (3 December 1884 – 28 February 1963) was an Indian politician, lawyer, journalist and scholar who served as the first president of India from 1950 to 1962 for two terms. He joined the Indian National Congress during the Indian independence movement and became a major leader from the region of Bihar. A supporter of Mahatma Gandhi, Prasad was imprisoned by British authorities during the Salt Satyagraha of 1930 and the Quit India movement of 1942. After the constituent assembly 1946 elections, Prasad served as 1st Minister of Food and Agriculture in the central government from 1947 to 1948. Upon independence in 1947, Prasad was elected as President of the Constituent Assembly of India, which prepared the Constitution of India and which served as its provisional Parliament.

Quick facts

Born
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Place of birth
Ziradei Block wd
Died
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Place of death
Patna wd
Citizenship
British Raj, India wd
Occupation
lawyer, politician, teacher, scholar, writer wd
Political party
Indian National Congress wd
Education
University of Calcutta, Surendranath College, Presidency University, Surendranath Law College wd
Spouse
Rajavanshi Devi Prasad wd

Positions held wd

  • President of India (24 January 1950 – 12 May 1962)
  • chairperson (11 December 1946 – 24 January 1950)
  • Member of the Constituent Assembly of India (6 July 1946 – 24 January 1950)

Awards wd

  • Bharat Ratna (1962)
  • honorary doctor of the University of Calcutta
  • Kai Hansen

About

When India became a republic in 1950, Prasad was elected as its first president by the Constituent Assembly. As president, Prasad established a tradition for non-partisanship and independence for the office-bearer and retired from Congress party politics. Although a ceremonial head of state, Prasad encouraged the development of education in India and advised government on several occasions. In 1957, Prasad was re-elected to the presidency, becoming the only president to serve two full terms. Prasad stayed in office for the longest term of around 12 years. Post the completion of his tenure, he quit the Congress and set up new guidelines for parliamentarians which are still followed.

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Questions

When was Rajendra Prasad born?
Rajendra Prasad was born on 3 December 1884 in Ziradei Block.
What positions has Rajendra Prasad held?
Positions held by Rajendra Prasad include: President of India (1950–1962); chairperson (1946–1950); Member of the Constituent Assembly of India (1946–1950).
Where did Rajendra Prasad study?
Rajendra Prasad was educated at University of Calcutta, Surendranath College, Presidency University, Surendranath Law College.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia (English): Rajendra Prasad · CC BY-SA 4.0
  2. Wikipedia (Nepali): डाक्टर राजेन्द्र प्रसाद · CC BY-SA 4.0
  3. Wikidata item Q197736 · CC0 1.0
  4. Image: Rajendra Prasad (Indian President), signed image for Walter Nash (NZ Prime Minister), 1958 (16017609534).jpg by Archives New Zealand from New Zealand (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Last updated · facts checked 7 November 2026

Cite this page

"Rajendra Prasad". DigiNepal. Last updated 6 November 2026. https://diginpl.com/people/rajendra-prasad. Retrieved 7 November 2026.

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Text from the Wikipedia article Rajendra Prasad, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page's text is shared under the same licence. Facts from Wikidata (CC0). Image: Rajendra Prasad (Indian President), signed image for Walter Nash (NZ Prime Minister), 1958 (16017609534).jpg — Archives New Zealand from New Zealand, CC BY-SA 2.0.

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