New Delhi: "Missile man" A P J Abdul Kalam is the 11th President of the country in 12 Presidential elections securing the fourth highest percentage of votes after Rajendra Prasad, who served twice, S Radhakrishnan and K R Narayanan.

Rajendra Prasad, who became independent India's first President in 1952, was elected to the highest office for a second term in 1957. He had secured 83.8 per cent and the highest 99 per cent in these elections respectively.

He was succeeded by Dr Sarvapalli Radhakrishan in 1962 who won with 98.2 per cent, Dr Zakir Hussain in 1967 (56.2 per cent) and V V Giri in a close contest in 1969 (48 per cent).

Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed took over from Giri in 1974 (80.2 per cent), followed by Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy in 1977 (unopposed), Zail Singh in 1982 (72.7 per cent) and R Venkataraman in 1987 (72.3 per cent).

Shanker Dayal Sharma succeeded Venkataraman in 1992 (65.9 per cent) followed by K R Narayanan in 1997 (95 per cent).

PTI