1. Short title.—This Act may be called the President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969.
2. Definitions.—In this Act “President”, “Vice-President” and “Second Schedule” shall mean the
President of India, the Vice-President of India and the Second Schedule to the Constitution respectively.
3. Discharge of President’s functions in certain contingencies.—(1) In the event of the occurrence
of vacancies in the offices of both the President and the Vice-President, by reason in each case of death,
resignation or removal, or otherwise, the Chief Justice of India or, in his absence, the seniormost Judge of
the Supreme Court of India available shall discharge the functions of the President until a new President
elected in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution to fill the vacancy in the office of the
President enters upon his office or a new Vice-President so elected begins to act as President under
article 65 of the Constitution, whichever is earlier.
(2) When the Vice-President, while discharging the functions of the President, dies, resigns, or is
removed or otherwise ceases to hold office, the Chief Justice of India or, in his absence, the seniormost
Judge referred to in sub-section (1) shall discharge the said functions until the President resumes his
duties or a new Vice-President is elected as aforesaid, whichever is earlier.
(3) When the Vice-President,—
(a) while acting as President, or
(b) while discharging the functions of the President,
is unable to discharge the functions of the President owing to absence, illness or any other cause, the
Chief Justice of India or, in his absence, the seniormost Judge referred to in sub-section (1) shall
discharge the said functions—
(i) in the case referred to in clause (a), until a new President elected as aforesaid enters upon
his office or until the Vice-President acting as President resumes his duties, whichever is earlier;
(ii) in the case referred to in clause (b), until the President resumes his duties, or the
Vice-President resumes his duties, whichever is earlier.
(4) The person discharging the functions of the President under this section shall, during, and in
respect of, the period while he is so discharging the said functions, have all the powers and immunities of
the President and be entitled to such emoluments, allowances and privileges as may be determined by
Parliament by law and, until provision in that behalf is so made, such emoluments, allowances and
privileges as are specified in the Second Schedule.