Droupadi Murmu sworn in as India's new President, see images of oath-taking ceremony here

Outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind and Murmu arrived in parliament in a ceremonial procession ahead of the oath ceremony. The 64-year-old defeated opposition presidential candidate Yashwant Sinha to become the first tribal and the second woman to hold the top constitutional post. 

 

Murmu was escorted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-President and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha M Venkaiah Naidu and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla to the Central Hall.

 

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana administered the oath of office of the President to her in the Central Hall of Parliament.

 

Members of the Council of Ministers, Governors, Chief Ministers, heads of diplomatic missions, Members of Parliament and principal civil and military officers of the government were present at the swearing-in ceremony. 

 

Later on, President Droupadi Murmu receives a ceremonial salute at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. Former President Ram Nath Kovind was also present with her.

Ahead of the oath ceremony, Murmu met outgoing President Ram Nath Kovind and first lady Savita Kovind.

 

Ahead of the oath ceremony, Murmu visited the memorial of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, and paid her respects to the Father of the Nation. 

 

Droupadi Murmu is the second woman President of the country, first-ever tribal woman to hold the highest constitutional post. Born in a Santali tribal family on June 30, 1958, in Uparbeda village coming under Mayurbhanj district in Odisha, she had her education from Bhubaneswar and went on to work first as a junior assistant in the State Irrigation and Power Department from 1979 to 1983. She also served as the national vice president of the BJP Scheduled Tribe Morcha. In 2015, Murmu became the first woman governor of Jharkhand. She also became the first woman tribal leader from Odisha to be appointed as the governor of a state.Reports earlier claimed that Murmu was shortlisted for the top position in 2017 as well.