The President of India or Rashtrapati (Hindi: राष्ट्रपति; a Sanskrit neologism, lit. "lord of the realm") is the head of state and first citizen of India and the Supreme Commander of the Indian armed forces. In theory, the President possesses considerable power. With few exceptions, most of the authority vested in the President is in practice exercised by the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister.

The President is elected by the elected members of the Parliament of India (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) as well as of the state legislatures (Vidhan Sabhas), and serves for a term of five years. Incumbents are permitted to stand for re-election. A formula is used to allocate votes so there is a balance between the population of each state and the number of votes assembly members from a state can cast, and to give an equal balance between State Assembly members and National Parliament members. If no candidate receives a majority of votes there is a system by which losing candidates are eliminated from the contest and votes for them transferred to other candidates, until one gains a majority. The Vice-President is elected by a direct vote of all members (elected and nominated) of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.

The president of India resides in a mansion in New Delhi known as the Rashtrapati Bhavan (which roughly translates as President's Abode). The presidential retreat is "The Retreat" in Chharabra, Shimla and Rashtrapati Nilayam (President's Place) in Hyderabad.

The 12th current President of India is Pratibha Patil, the first woman to serve in the office, who was sworn in on 25 July 2007.