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Part XIX · Miscellaneous

Article 361: Protection of President and Governors and Rajpramukhs

Official text as on 1 May 2024

Text of Article 361

(1) The President, or the Governor or Rajpramukh of a State, shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office or for any act done or purporting to be done by him in the exercise and performance of those powers and duties:

Provided that the conduct of the President may be brought under review by any court, tribunal or body appointed or designated by either House of Parliament for the investigation of a charge under article 61:

Provided further that nothing in this clause shall be construed as restricting the right of any person to bring appropriate proceedings against the Government of India or the Government of a State.

(2) No criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the President, or the Governor *** of a State, in any court during his term of office.

(3) No process for the arrest or imprisonment of the President, or the Governor *** of a State, shall issue from any court during his term of office.

(4) No civil proceedings in which relief is claimed against the President, or the Governor *** of a State, shall be instituted during his term of office in any court in respect of any act done or purporting to be done by him in his personal capacity, whether before or after he entered upon his office as President, or as Governor *** of such State, until the expiration of two months next after notice in writing has been delivered to the President or the Governor ***, as the case may be, or left at his office stating the nature of the proceedings, the cause of action therefor, the name, description and place of residence of the party by whom such proceedings are to be instituted and the relief which he claims.

Words in [square brackets] were inserted or substituted by later amendments (see below). Source: Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India

A plain-English explanation of Article 361, landmark judgments and exam facts are being added to this page.

Amendment history

Changed by: 7th Amendment Act, 1956

  • The words "or Rajpramukh" omitted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 29 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-11-1956).

More in Part XIX: Miscellaneous · Constitution quiz

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