Vice President of India
The Vice President of India is the second-highest constitutional authority in the country after the President. Established under Article 63 of the Indian Constitution, the position holds immense importance in ensuring the smooth functioning of parliamentary democracy. The Vice President not only serves as a constitutional backup to the President but also plays a crucial role as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament.
🔸Article 63: Establishment of Office:
This article explores the history, election process, powers, and responsibilities of the Vice President of India, highlighting why this position is significant in India’s democratic framework.
The post of Vice President was created with the adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan became the first Vice President of India in 1952, and since then, the office has seen several eminent personalities who contributed greatly to the country’s governance and parliamentary practices.
The Vice President’s office has always been seen as a stepping stone to the presidency. In fact, several Vice Presidents, such as Dr. S. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Zakir Husain, and Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, later became Presidents of India.
🔸Article 64: Role as Rajya Sabha Chairman
🔸Article 65: Acting as the President.
The Vice President of India is elected for a five-year term by an electoral college consisting of both elected and nominated members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The Article 66 mentions about the election of Vice President through the system of Proportional Representation by means of Single Transferable Vote, by Electoral Collage of Members of both the houses of the Parliament.
Unlike the Presidential election, members of the state legislatures do not participate in the election of the Vice President. The election is conducted through a single transferable vote system using proportional representation.
In the nomination of a Candidate for the Vice President, the candidate must be supported by 20 electors as proposers and 20 electors as seconders. Which is 50 in both in case of the President nomination.
To contest the election for Vice President, a candidate must:
A Vice-President can also contest for the post of the President of India, provided they resign from the V-P post before contesting. Dr. Sarvapalli RadhaKrishnan was the first V-P to be elected as the President. Later, Dr. Zakir Husain, V.V. Giri, R. Venkataraman, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma and K. R. Narayanan were vice presidents who became President of India. However, no Vice President contested for the President after K. R. Narayanan till present.
The Vice President has dual responsibilities—serving as the second-in-command to the President and presiding over the Rajya Sabha.
In the order of precedence of the Republic of India , the Vice President of India positioned as the second most important citizen of India after the President of India.
🔶 Role in Rajya Sabha
🔶 Acting President of India
🔶 Symbol of Constitutional Stability
The Vice President holds office for five years but can continue beyond this term until a new Vice President assumes office. There is no limit on the number of terms.
The Vice President can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by an Effective majority of its members. Effective Majority is the effective strength of the house, i.e. Total members minus the vacant seats. The total seats in Council of States are 245 and if seats are vacant then the Effective strength should be 240 seats.
The resolution must also be agreed upon by the Lok Sabha with Simple majority.
A 14-day notice period is required before such a resolution is moved In Rajya Sabha or the Council of States.
Every Vice-President shall, before entering upon his office, make and subscribe before the President, or some person appointed in that behalf by him.
(1) All doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with the election of a President or Vice-President shall be inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court whose decision shall be final.
(2) If the election of a person as President or Vice-President is declared void by the Supreme Court, acts done by him in the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of the office of President or Vice-President, as the case may be, on or before the date of the decision of the Supreme Court shall not be invalidated by reason of that declaration.
(3) Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, Parliament may by law regulate any matter relating to or connected with the election of a President or Vice-President.
(4) The election of a person as President or Vice-President shall not be called in question on the ground of the existence of any vacancy for whatever reason among the members of the electoral college electing him.
1. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (1952–1962)
2. Dr. Zakir Husain (1962–1967)
3. V. V. Giri (1967–1969)
4. Gopal Swarup Pathak (1969–1974)
5. B. D. Jatti (1974–1979)
6. Mohammad Hidayatullah (1979–1984)
7. R. Venkataraman (1984–1987)
8. Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (1987–1992)
9. K. R. Narayanan (1992–1997)
10. Krishan Kant (1997–2002)
11. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (2002–2007)
12. Mohammad Hamid Ansari (2007–2017)
13. M. Venkaiah Naidu (2017–2022)
14. Jagdeep Dhankhar (2022–2025)
(Resigned from the post)
15. Yet to elect.
The Vice President of India is much more than just a deputy to the President. By chairing the Rajya Sabha, the Vice President ensures smooth debates, maintains parliamentary order, and upholds the dignity of the house. Additionally, as the acting President when needed, the Vice President guarantees stability in governance.
The position, therefore, represents balance, continuity, and constitutional security in India’s parliamentary system.
The Vice President of India is a crucial pillar of India’s democratic framework. Combining the roles of Rajya Sabha Chairman and acting President, the office ensures that the country’s constitutional machinery never faces a deadlock. With every Vice President contributing uniquely, this position remains vital for India’s governance, stability, and democracy.
In the years ahead, as India continues to evolve as a global leader, the role of the Vice President will remain indispensable in upholding the values of the Constitution of India.
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