🏛️ President of India

Pratibha Patil joined the Indian National Congress (INC) and started her political career in 1962 as an MLA in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. During this time, she handled departments like Public Health and Social Welfare and was known for her strong loyalty to the party.

In 1985, she was elected to the Rajya Sabha. She served as the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha from 1986 to 1988.

She left the Rajya Sabha in 1990 and was elected to the Lok Sabha in 1991 from the Amravati constituency. After completing her five-year term, she too a break from active politics.

In 2004, she returned to the public service when she was appointed the Governor of Rajasthan.

On 14 June 2007, Pratibha Patil was announced as the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) candidate for the post of President. She won the presidential election held on 19 July 2007, securing nearly two-thirds of the votes. She took oath as India’s 12^th President and became the first woman President of India.