Dr. Zakir Husain
Dr. Zakir Husain (8 February 1897–3 May 1969) was an Indian educationist and statesman who served as the third President of India from 13 May 1967 until his death on 3 May 1969. He earlier served as Vice President of India (1962–1967) and held senior academic leadership roles at Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University.
- Full name: Dr. Zakir Husain (also written as Zakir Husain Khan in some references) (President of India)
- Common name / short name: Zakir Husain; Dr. Zakir Husain (President of India)
- Category (Domain): Politics & Government
- Country: India
- Role/Office (primary): 3rd President of India (President of India)
- Current status: Deceased (Vice President of India)
- Party/Alliance: Not publicly confirmed in official bios; held non-partisan constitutional offices. (Some accounts note he was backed by the Indian National Congress for the 1962 Vice-Presidential election.) (Wikipedia)
- Date of birth: 8 February 1897 (Vice President of India)
- Constituency/Region: Not applicable (constitutional offices). Served as Governor of Bihar; born in Hyderabad. (Bihar Lok Bhavan)
- Place of birth: Hyderabad (then Hyderabad State; British India) (President of India)
- Date of death: 3 May 1969 (Vice President of India)
- Place of death: New Delhi, India (Encyclopedia Britannica)
- Education: M.A.; Ph.D. (Berlin); also connected with studies/work at Aligarh Muslim University in official bios; received multiple honorary D.Litt. (honoris causa). (Vice President of India)
- Profession/background before politics: Educationist, economist, academic administrator (notably university leadership roles). (President of India)
Overview
Dr. Zakir Husain is widely remembered as a senior education leader who later served in India’s highest constitutional offices. His public career combined academic administration, work linked to education planning, and leadership roles in government. He served as Governor of Bihar (1957–1962), Vice President (1962–1967), and then President (1967–1969).
Early life and education
He was born on 8 February 1897 in Hyderabad (then Hyderabad State; British India). Official biographical summaries list his education as an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Berlin, along with later honorary doctorates (D.Litt.).
Profession before politics
Before serving in constitutional offices, he was known primarily as an educationist, economist, and academic administrator. He held key university leadership posts, including long periods at Jamia Millia Islamia and Aligarh Muslim University.
Political career and key roles
Key positions held
- President of India: 13 May 1967 – 3 May 1969
- Vice President of India (ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha): 13 May 1962 – 12 May 1967
- Governor of Bihar: 6 July 1957 – 11 May 1962
- Member, Rajya Sabha: 3 April 1952 – 6 July 1957
- Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Millia Islamia (Delhi): 1926 – 1948
- Vice-Chancellor, Aligarh Muslim University: 1948 – 1956
- President, Hindustani Talimi Sangh (Sevagram): 1938 – 1950
- Chairman, Basic National Education Committee (linked to “Wardha Scheme”): 1937
- Chairman, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE): 1957
Major elections and selection milestones
- 1962: Elected Vice President of India (term began 13 May 1962).
- 1967: Elected President of India (term began 13 May 1967).
Major initiatives and decisions
- 1937: Chaired the Basic National Education Committee linked to the Wardha scheme of basic education (often associated with craft-linked learning and foundational schooling).
- 1926–1948: Led and strengthened Jamia Millia Islamia as Vice-Chancellor; official bios also connect him with the institution’s early development.
- 1948–1956: Served as Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.
- 1962–1967: As Vice President, served as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and guided parliamentary proceedings.
Books and Publications
Works listed in the official Vice President profile include:
- Shiksha (Hindi)
- Capitalism: an essay in understanding
- Urdu translations (listed): Plato’s Republic; Friedrich List’s National System of Economics; Edwin Cannan’s Elements of Economics
- Lectures/works listed: The Dynamic University; Educational Discourses (Urdu); Principles of Educational Reconstruction; Ethics and the State; Abbokhan Ki Bakri (Urdu)
Awards and honours
- Padma Vibhushan: 1954
- Bharat Ratna: 1963
Public perception
Strengths commonly cited
Official biographies commonly describe him as an educationist and institution-builder with long experience in university leadership before entering high constitutional office.Criticisms and controversies
The major official biographies and the standard encyclopedia biography referenced here do not highlight major personal or political controversies as defining parts of his public life.Legal cases
No criminal legal cases are reported in the official profiles and standard encyclopedia biography listed in the provided sources.Digital and Media
- Official website: Not applicable (historical public figure; official biographies are hosted on government portals).
- Official social profiles: Not applicable.
- Official biography pages: Available on the President of India and Vice President of India websites.
Table of Content
- Overview
- Early life and education
- Profession before politics
- Political career and key roles
- Key positions held
- Major elections and selection milestones
- Major initiatives and decisions
- Books and Publications
- Awards and honours
- Public perception
- Strengths commonly cited
- Criticisms and controversies
- Legal cases
- Digital and Media
Search Post
FAQs
Who was Dr. Zakir Husain?
He was an Indian educationist and statesman who became the third President of India.
He served as President from 13 May 1967 until 3 May 1969, and earlier served as Vice President (1962–1967).
When was Dr. Zakir Husain born?
He was born on 8 February 1897. Official profiles list Hyderabad (then Hyderabad State; British India) as his birthplace.
When did Dr. Zakir Husain die?
He died on 3 May 1969. Britannica lists New Delhi as the place of death.
What was Zakir Husain’s main role in Indian politics?
He is best known as the third President of India. His presidency began on 13 May 1967 and ended with his death on 3 May 1969.
Was Zakir Husain associated with a political party?
Official bios do not publicly confirm a party affiliation. He held constitutional offices that are generally described as non-partisan; Wikipedia notes he was backed by the Indian National Congress in the 1962 Vice-Presidential election.
What did he do before becoming Vice President and President?
He worked mainly in education and university administration. He served as Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (1926–1948) and Aligarh Muslim University (1948–1956), and later became Governor of Bihar (1957–1962).
What is the Wardha Education Scheme connection with Zakir Husain?
He chaired the Basic National Education Committee in 1937. This committee is linked to the Wardha scheme of basic education, discussed in official and cultural references.
What awards did Dr. Zakir Husain receive?
He received the Padma Vibhushan in 1954 and the Bharat Ratna in 1963. Both awards are listed in official government-related records used in the provided sources.
Did Dr. Zakir Husain write books?
Yes. The Vice President of India profile lists works such as Shiksha and Capitalism: an essay in understanding, along with translations and lectures.