Prime Minister Narendra Modi was sworn in for the third time as India's Prime Minister. The grand event was held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. But did you know about the salaries and perks of India's top three constitutional offices: the President, the Vice-President, and the Prime Minister? Let's find out!
President of India
The President of India, the supreme commander of all three armed forces, receives a monthly salary of Rs 5 lakh. This revision was made in 2018, up from Rs 1.50 lakh per month. The announcement was made by the former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley during his budget speech, noting that the President's salary was last revised in January 2006.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the perks for the President include:
Travel: The President can travel anywhere in the country free of cost via air, rail, or steamer, with expenses for one accompanying person also covered.
Medical Services: The President receives free medical services and attendance.
Housing: The President is provided with a furnished, rent-free home, two free landlines (one for internet connectivity), a mobile phone, and five personal staff members. The maintenance of the home is also covered.
Post-Retirement Benefits: In the event of the President's death while in office, the spouse receives a family pension at fifty percent of the President's pension for life, along with free medical services for life.
Vice-President of India
The Vice-President of India's salary was also revised in the same budget speech by Jaitley, increasing from Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 4 lakh per month.
Perks for the Vice-President include:
Accommodation and Travel: Free accommodation, personal security, medical care, train and air travel, a landline connection, mobile phone service, and staff.
Post-Retirement Benefits: Upon retirement, the Vice-President is entitled to secretarial staff, including a Private Secretary, an Additional Private Secretary, a Personal Assistant, and two Peons. The Vice-President is also reimbursed for the maintenance costs of such staff.
Prime Minister of India
The Prime Minister of India receives a monthly salary of Rs 1.66 lakh. In addition to the salary, the Prime Minister enjoys several significant perks:
Security: The Prime Minister is provided with a Personal Special Protection Group (SPG) responsible for their security.
Transport: An exclusive aircraft, Air India One, is used for official visits.
Residence: The official residence of the Prime Minister is located at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg (formerly known as Race Course Road).
