Vice President of India: Role, Powers, Eligibility, and List of All Vice Presidents

The Vice President of India holds the second-highest constitutional office in the country after the President. While often seen as a ceremonial role, the Vice President of India plays a crucial part in the Indian parliamentary system. From presiding over the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) to stepping in as acting President when needed, the Vice President's role is both symbolic and functional.

This blog provides a detailed overview of the Vice President of India, covering his duties, powers, election process, eligibility criteria, and a comprehensive list of past Vice Presidents.

Constitutional Position of the Vice President

The office of the Vice President is established under Article 63 of the Indian Constitution, which states:

“There shall be a Vice-President of India.”

• Rank: Second-highest constitutional office in India.
• Ex-Officio Position: Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• Election: Indirectly elected by an Electoral College.
• Term: 5 years (but can continue until a successor takes office).

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Presiding Officer of the Rajya Sabha

As the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Vice President:

• Presides over its sessions.
• Maintains discipline and decorum.
• Decides on the admissibility of questions, motions, and debates.
• Cannot vote except in the case of a tie.

2. Acting as President

In case of:

• Resignation, removal, death, or incapacity of the President, the Vice President acts as the President until a new one is elected.

3. Diplomatic Functions (if needed)

During his tenure as Acting President, the Vice President can represent India at international events or in diplomatic dealings.

Eligibility Criteria

To become the Vice President of India, a person must:

• Be a citizen of India.
• Have completed 35 years of age.
• Be qualified to be elected as a Member of the Rajya Sabha.
• Not hold any office of profit under the government of India or any state government.

Election Process

The Vice President is not elected by the people directly. Instead, the process involves:

Electoral College:

• Composed of members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
• Nominated members are also eligible to vote.
• State Legislative Assemblies do not vote.

Voting System:

• Proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
• Secret ballot is used.

Conducted by: Election Commission of India.

Oath and Affirmation

The Vice President takes the oath of office before the President of India. The oath includes:

• Faith and allegiance to the Constitution.
• Faithfully performing the duties of the office.

Term and Removal

Term:

• 5 years from the date of entering office.
• Eligible for re-election any number of times.

Resignation:

• Can resign by writing to the President.

Removal:

• Can be removed by a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha with an absolute majority and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.
• No grounds need to be specified, unlike the impeachment of the President.

Powers of the Vice President

Though largely ceremonial, the Vice President holds several constitutional powers:

1. Legislative Powers:

• Conducts business in the Rajya Sabha.
• Ensures that debates follow parliamentary rules.

2. Emergency Powers:

When acting as President, he can:

• Declare emergency under Article 352, 356, or 360.
• Appoint governors, ministers, and judges.

Vice President vs President: Key Differences

Feature	Vice President	President
Position in hierarchy	2nd Highest	Highest
Election by	MPs only	MPs + MLAs
Role in Parliament	Chairman of Rajya Sabha	Summons/dissolves Parliament
Executive powers	Limited	Extensive
Voting in Parliament	Only in case of a tie	No vote

List of Vice Presidents of India (1952 - Present)

No.	Name	Term	Remarks
1	Dr. S. Radhakrishnan	1952–1962	Later became President
2	Dr. Zakir Husain	1962–1967	Became President
3	V. V. Giri	1967–1969	Acting President
4	Gopal Swarup Pathak	1969–1974
5	B. D. Jatti	1974–1979	Acted as President
6	M. Hidayatullah	1979–1984	Former CJI
7	R. Venkataraman	1984–1987	Became President
8	Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma	1987–1992	President later
9	K. R. Narayanan	1992–1997	First Dalit President
10	Krishan Kant	1997–2002	Died in office
11	Bhairon Singh Shekhawat	2002–2007	First BJP VP
12	Mohammad Hamid Ansari	2007–2017	Two terms
13	M. Venkaiah Naidu	2017–2022	Former Union Minister
14	Jagdeep Dhankhar	2022–Present	Current Vice President

About the Current Vice President – Jagdeep Dhankhar

Born: May 18, 1951
State: Rajasthan
Profession: Lawyer, Politician
Political Party: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

Career Highlights:

• Former Governor of West Bengal
• Served as Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha)
• Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs

Interesting Facts About the Vice President of India

• Dr. S. Radhakrishnan was a world-renowned philosopher.
• Several Vice Presidents became Presidents later.
• Vice President’s term is more stable as Rajya Sabha never dissolves.
• Mohammad Hamid Ansari served two terms – the only one so far.

Conclusion

The Vice President of India may not have direct executive powers like the Prime Minister or President, but the role is vital for the smooth functioning of India’s democracy. As the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha and a potential acting President, the Vice President serves as a bridge between the executive and legislative branches.

FAQs About the Vice President of India

Q1. Who elects the Vice President of India?

The Vice President of India is elected by members of both Houses of Parliament using proportional representation.

Q2. Can the Vice President become the President?

Yes, several Vice Presidents have gone on to become the President.

Q3. How long is the Vice President's term?

5 years.

Q4. Does the Vice President have any legislative powers?

Yes, he/she acts as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and controls its proceedings.