The professions of all our Presidents

Ahead of the Presidential elections, here is the full list of our country's presidents and acting presidents (a person who temporarily fills the role of president) and their professions.
Rajendra Prasad (1950-1962): The first President of independent India, he was both a teacher and a lawyer before becoming a freedom fighter and joining politics in 1906.  (File Photo | EPS)
Rajendra Prasad (1950-1962): The first President of independent India, he was both a teacher and a lawyer before becoming a freedom fighter and joining politics in 1906. (File Photo | EPS)
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Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1962-1967): The first Vice-President of India was a celebrated Professor of Hinduism. It is this phenomenal teacher's birthday on 5th September that we celebrate every year as Teachers' Day. In the image: (From left) Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Egypt President Gamal Abdel Nasser. (File Photo | EPS)
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1962-1967): The first Vice-President of India was a celebrated Professor of Hinduism. It is this phenomenal teacher's birthday on 5th September that we celebrate every year as Teachers' Day. In the image: (From left) Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and Egypt President Gamal Abdel Nasser. (File Photo | EPS)
Zakir Husain (1967-1969): The first Muslim President of India, his was the smallest tenure (two years) ending with his death in office on 3 May 1969. He founded a central University, Jamia Millia Islamia in 1920 and later joined the freedom movement.  Husain was instrumental in bringing out the anthology of the acclaimed Urdu poet Mirza Assadullah Khan 'Ghalib'. (File Photo | EPS)
Zakir Husain (1967-1969): The first Muslim President of India, his was the smallest tenure (two years) ending with his death in office on 3 May 1969. He founded a central University, Jamia Millia Islamia in 1920 and later joined the freedom movement. Husain was instrumental in bringing out the anthology of the acclaimed Urdu poet Mirza Assadullah Khan 'Ghalib'. (File Photo | EPS)
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (3 May 1969-20 July 1969): He was chosen as the first Acting President after the sudden death of Zakir Husain. He served for two months before resigning to stand in presidential elections as an independent candidate.  (File Photo | EPS)
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (3 May 1969-20 July 1969): He was chosen as the first Acting President after the sudden death of Zakir Husain. He served for two months before resigning to stand in presidential elections as an independent candidate. (File Photo | EPS)
Mohammad Hidayatullah (20 July 1969-24 August 1969): He served as the acting President for little over a month after V V Giri's resignation. Hidayatullah was a teacher, scholar and linguist. Later in life he also became the Chief Justice of India. In the image: Jayakanthan, a writer, being awarded the Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1979 by the then Vice President M Hidayatullah. ( File Photo| EPS)
Mohammad Hidayatullah (20 July 1969-24 August 1969): He served as the acting President for little over a month after V V Giri's resignation. Hidayatullah was a teacher, scholar and linguist. Later in life he also became the Chief Justice of India. In the image: Jayakanthan, a writer, being awarded the Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1979 by the then Vice President M Hidayatullah. ( File Photo| EPS)
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (1969-1974): A lawyer, Giri joined the Congress and went on to become Vice-President and Acting President. He was sworn in as President of India on 24 August 1969 and held office till 24 August 1974.  (File Photo | EPS)
Varahagiri Venkata Giri (1969-1974): A lawyer, Giri joined the Congress and went on to become Vice-President and Acting President. He was sworn in as President of India on 24 August 1969 and held office till 24 August 1974. (File Photo | EPS)
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1974-1977): Ahmed was a lawyer like his predecessor and  he was the second President to die in office. He is known to have issued the proclamation of Emergency in 1975 by signing the papers at midnight after meeting Indira Gandhi.  (File Photo | Dinamani/K Vaidiyanathan)
Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1974-1977): Ahmed was a lawyer like his predecessor and he was the second President to die in office. He is known to have issued the proclamation of Emergency in 1975 by signing the papers at midnight after meeting Indira Gandhi. (File Photo | Dinamani/K Vaidiyanathan)
Basappa Danappa Jatti (11 February 1977-25 July 1977): He was the Acting President after the death of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed for six months  An advocate, he had a long political career spanning over five decades, during which he held various posts including the Vice-President.  (File Photo | EPS)
Basappa Danappa Jatti (11 February 1977-25 July 1977): He was the Acting President after the death of Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed for six months An advocate, he had a long political career spanning over five decades, during which he held various posts including the Vice-President. (File Photo | EPS)
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977-1982): Elected at the age of 54, he became the youngest President of India.  A member of Congress, he was a politician all his life. In the image: R Venkatraman with N Sanjiva Reddy.  (File Photo | EPS)
Neelam Sanjiva Reddy (1977-1982): Elected at the age of 54, he became the youngest President of India. A member of Congress, he was a politician all his life. In the image: R Venkatraman with N Sanjiva Reddy. (File Photo | EPS)
Zail Singh (1982-1987): Zail Singh: The only Sikh President of India, he was given the title of 'Gyani' after he learned extensively about Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book for Sikhs. He was a Congressman. (File Photo | Dinamani/K Vaidiyanathan)
Zail Singh (1982-1987): Zail Singh: The only Sikh President of India, he was given the title of 'Gyani' after he learned extensively about Guru Granth Sahib, the holy book for Sikhs. He was a Congressman. (File Photo | Dinamani/K Vaidiyanathan)
Ramaswamy Venkataraman (1987-1992): He was a lawyer, Independence activist and politician. In the image: (From left to right) Venkataraman's wife Janaki, President Venkataraman, Rajiv Gandhi and his wife Sonia Gandhi.  (File Photo | EPS)
Ramaswamy Venkataraman (1987-1992): He was a lawyer, Independence activist and politician. In the image: (From left to right) Venkataraman's wife Janaki, President Venkataraman, Rajiv Gandhi and his wife Sonia Gandhi. (File Photo | EPS)
Shankar Dayal Sharma (1992-1997): A law teacher, he was a Congress loyalist who was known for his exceptional contribution in the field of law.  (File Photo | EPS)
Shankar Dayal Sharma (1992-1997): A law teacher, he was a Congress loyalist who was known for his exceptional contribution in the field of law. (File Photo | EPS)
Kocheril Raman Narayanan (1997-2002): The only Dalit President till date, Narayanan was a journalist and lauded diplomat. He joined politics at the request of Indira Gandhi and is regarded as an independent and assertive President. (File Photo | EPS)
Kocheril Raman Narayanan (1997-2002): The only Dalit President till date, Narayanan was a journalist and lauded diplomat. He joined politics at the request of Indira Gandhi and is regarded as an independent and assertive President. (File Photo | EPS)
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (2002-2007):  A scientist and administrator in the  Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), he was called the 'Missile Man of India' for his work on the development of the ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. In the image:  A P J Abdul Kalam during an interactive session with students at Stella Maris College in Chennai. (File Photo | EPS)
Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam (2002-2007): A scientist and administrator in the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), he was called the 'Missile Man of India' for his work on the development of the ballistic missile and launch vehicle technology. In the image: A P J Abdul Kalam during an interactive session with students at Stella Maris College in Chennai. (File Photo | EPS)
Pratibha Devisingh Patil (2007-2012) : The only woman President, Pratibha Patil was a lawyer  at the Jalgaon District Court in Maharashtra. Her interest in social issues got her involved in politics.  (File Photo | PTI)
Pratibha Devisingh Patil (2007-2012) : The only woman President, Pratibha Patil was a lawyer at the Jalgaon District Court in Maharashtra. Her interest in social issues got her involved in politics. (File Photo | PTI)
Pranab Kumar Mukherjee (2012- Till date): Before becoming President, Pranab Mukherjee had a long political career in which he held various ministerial positions over six decades. Prior to to that, he was a clerk, journalist and lecturer.  (File Photo | PTI)
Pranab Kumar Mukherjee (2012- Till date): Before becoming President, Pranab Mukherjee had a long political career in which he held various ministerial positions over six decades. Prior to to that, he was a clerk, journalist and lecturer. (File Photo | PTI)

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