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Since 1977, every Indian President elected using the usual procedure has taken their oath on July 25. But why?
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It is customary for Presidents to be sworn-in on this day, even though there isn't a formal written rule requiring it.
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India's first President Rajendra Prasad took the oath on January 26, 1950. In 1952, he won the first Presidential poll and went on to win the second Presidential election too.
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Rajendra Prasad was succeeded by S Radhakrishnan, who took over on May 13, 1962, and was in office till May 13, 1967.
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After him, Zakir Husain (L) and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (R) could not complete their terms due to their death in office, which resulted in midterm elections.
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The July 25 custom began with Neelam Sanjiva Reddy, India's 6th President. He took his oath on July 25, 1977.
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(L-R, top and bottom) Giani Zail Singh, R Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma, KR Narayanan, APJ Abdul Kalam, Pratibha Patil, Pranab Mukherjee, Ram Nath Kovind, Droupadi Murmu have all taken oath on July 25 since then.
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