Droupadi Murmu elected 15th President of India: Perks and privileges of being the First Citizen of India

President election 2022 result, Droupadi Murmu is India's new President: BJP-led NDA candidate Droupadi Murmu on Thursday secured victory in Presidential election 202. She defeated joint Opposition nominee Yashwant Sinha. Murmu will take oath as the 15th President of India on July 25, thus becoming the first tribal and second woman to hold the top constitutional job. 

The President of India is the head of the executive and also the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces. Being the First Citizen of the world's largest democracy is not just prestigious, but the position comes with a host of perks and privileges. Here's the list: 

Rashtrapati Bhavan: Largest Presidential Palace  

Rashtrapati Bhavan is the official residence of the President of India. It is the largest residence for any President in the world. It stands on a 330-acre estate. It has a total of 340 rooms spread over four floors, 2.5 kms of corridors and 190 acres of garden area. It was constructed in 1929.

Head Of State

The President of India is the Head of the State. The constitution provides for all the executive action or the conduct of the business of the Government of India to be taken in the name of the President. 

All the shareholdings of the Government of India are in the name of the President or his nominees in the establishment.

First Citizen Of India

The President of India is known as the first citizen of India because he/she is the constitutional head of the country. All executive decisions are taken in his name.

Power To Appoint Prime Minister

The President of India has the power to appoint the Prime Minister of India. 

Commander-In-Chief 

The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. 

President's Aircraft 

The President of India travels in Air India One-B777 aircraft. The highly advanced aircraft has its own missile defence system. It is capable of countering missile threats. It has also an advanced communication system. 

The aircraft is also used by the Vice President of India and Prime Minister of India for foreign trips.

President's Car

The President of India travels in Mercedes-Maybach S600 Pullman Guard. It is considered the safest car in India. The car's doors are armoured-plated and form a 100% seal when closed. This protects the occupants in the event of a bomb, explosives or other chemical attacks. 

President's Security 

The primary role of the President's Bodyguard (PBG) is to provide security to the President of India. Raised in 1773, PBG is the oldest and senior most Regiment of the Indian Army. The PBG personnel are excellent horsemen, capable tank men and paratroopers.

Presidential Retreats

Besides the Rashtrapati Bhavan, there are two other residences of the President of India. They are in Shimla and Hyderabad. These retreats are managed by the President of India’s office. 

The Retreat Building in Shimla is located at the hill top of the Mashobra. The building is purely a wooden structure with dajji wall construction. It was constructed in 1850 and has a plinth area of 10,628 sq. ft.

Rashtrapati Nilayam is located at Bolarum in the Hyderabad Metropolitan Region. It was constructed in 1860. The building has a total land area of 90 acres. 

President's Salary 

The President of India withdraws Rs 5 lakh per month as salary. The President of India also pays tax. According to a calculation, the President pays about Rs 2.75 lakh in taxes. Besides the salary, the President also gets several allowances.