He succeeded Sir Anerood Jugnauth, who spent nine years as president from 2003 until resigning in March 2012.

Kailash Purryag previously served as Member of Parliament, Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly; he made his debut in the political arena at an early age in 1976.

11 Vieux Grand Port and Rose Belle by Pravind Jugnauth and Rajesh Bhowon of the MSM-MMM coalition.

Although he did not take an active part in the 2005 and 2010 general elections Purryag was nominated in July 2005 and in May 2010 as Speaker of the National Assembly.

[12][13] On Friday 20 July 2012, the Clerk of the National Assembly of Mauritius informed the House that, immediately following his election as President of the Republic at to-day's sitting, the Honourable Rajkeswur Purryag, GCSK, GOSK, has submitted his resignation as Speaker of the National Assembly.

The motion was presented by Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam and seconded by Rashid Beebeejaun.

In an official communique from the State House, he confirmed that he made an agreement with Jugnauth to remain as President up to May 2015 to ensure the hand over of power from the Ramgoolam administration to the new government in a climate of stability.

He was elevated as Grand Officer of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GOSK) on 12 March 1998 and Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean (GCSK) on 12 March 2009.

His great grandfather Purryag 338493 sailed to Mauritius in 1869 to work as indentured labourer or Coolie.