We often hear that the “ordinary Indian” is the 27th citizen of the country. But who are the first 26? Are we really at the bottom of some invisible list? The answer is both surprising and empowering—because the idea of the 27th citizen isn’t about being last, but about being the one who truly matters.
The First 26 Citizens – The Pillars of the Republic
When India’s Constitution came into force in 1950, it created a democratic system built on offices of responsibility. These top 26 constitutional functionaries are often referred to as the “first 26 citizens.” They include:
- President of India
- Vice President
- Prime Minister
- Governors & Lieutenant Governors
- Chief Ministers
- Members of Parliament & State Legislatures
- Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts
- Election Commissioners, UPSC members, CAG, and other constitutional authorities
In short, these are the people and institutions responsible for running the Republic.
And Then Comes the 27th
The 27th citizen is not a title, not an office. It’s you and me—the common Indian. The shopkeeper, the farmer, the IT worker, the student, the homemaker. The ones who:
- Vote in elections.
- Pay taxes.
- Uphold the law.
- Make the country run in everyday life.
Without the 27th citizen, the first 26 cannot exist.
Why This Symbolism Matters
The phrase is a reminder that the Republic is built for its people, not the other way around. The highest offices of India are important, but they derive their power from the ordinary Indian.
In other words: the 27th citizen is the reason the Constitution breathes.
Closing Thought
Being called the 27th citizen isn’t about being last. It’s about being the true center of power in a democracy. The first 26 may govern, but the 27th—the ordinary Indian—is the one for whom the Republic exists.
Question for You
Do you think the common Indian today truly feels like the center of power, or have we drifted too far from that ideal?
