VICE PRESIDENT OF INDIA: Recently, Jagdeep Dhankhar was sworn in as the 14th Vice-President of India. Prior to this, he served as the Governor of West Bengal.
Roles/Functions of Vice President of India:
The office of Vice President is the second-highest constitutional office after the President and ranks second in
the order of precedence.
• Article 64 of Constitution of India says:
The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and does not hold any other office of profit.
During any period when the Vice-President acts as or discharges the functions of the President, he does not perform the duties of the office of the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha and, is not entitled to any salary or allowances payable to the Chairperson, Rajya Sabha.
• Article 65 of Constitution of India says:
The Vice-President acts as President, during a vacancy in the office of the President by reason of death, resignation or removal, or otherwise, until a new President is elected.
When the President is unable to discharge his functions owing to absence, illness, or any other cause, the Vice President discharges those functions till the President resumes office.
During this period, the Vice-President has all the powers, immunities and privileges of the President and receives
emoluments and allowances payable to the President.
NOTE: The vice president also acts as the chancellor of the central universities of India.
Eligibility for contest Vice President Election :
• To be qualified to be elected as vice president of India, a person must:
(1) Be a citizen of India;
(2) Be at least 35 years of age;
(3) Not hold any office of profit, and
(4) Be qualified for election as a member of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).
• The Vice-President is not a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of a Legislature of any state.
• If a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of a Legislature of any state is elected as Vice-President, he is deemed to have vacated his seat in that House on the date he/she enters his office as Vice-President.
Elections Process of Vice President of India:
• The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament, in
accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
• The Electoral College to elect the Vice-President consists of all members of both Houses of Parliament.
• The election of the next Vice-President is to be held within 60 days of the expiry of the term of office of the outgoing Vice President.
• Any person qualified to be elected as Vice-President is required to be nominated by at least 20 MPs as proposers
and at least 20 MPs as seconders.
• The Election Commission of India conducts the election for the office of the Vice-President.
• The Returning Officer usually appointed to conduct the Vice-Presidential elections is the Secretary-General of either House of the Parliament, by rotation.
Disputes regarding Election of the Vice-President:
• All doubts and disputes arising in connection with the election of the Vice-President are enquired into and decided by the Supreme Court of India whose decision is final.
• A petition challenging the election of the Vice-President is heard by a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India.
Oath of Vice President of India:
• Article 69 of the Constitution of India provides for the oath or affirmation for the office of Vice President.
• The President of India administers the oath of office and secrecy to the vice president.
Tenure of the Vice President of India:
• The vice president holds office for five years but can continue to be in office, irrespective of the expiry of the term, until the successor assumes office.
• The vice president can be re-elected any number of times.
• The tenure may be terminated earlier by death, resignation, or removal. The Vice-President may resign his office by
submitting his resignation to the President of India.
Removal of the Vice President of India:
• The Vice-President can be removed from office by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha, passed by an Effective majority (majority of all the then members) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha with a simple majority as per Article 67(b). A resolution for this purpose may be moved only after a notice of at least a minimum of 14 days has been given.
• The Supreme Court can also remove the vice president for committing electoral malpractices and not fulfilling the eligibility criteria for Rajya Sabha while in the office per Article 71(1) of the constitution.
List Of Vice Presidents Of India:
| Sl.No | Vice president | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jagdeep Dhankhar | 11 August 2022 | Incumbent |
| 2 | Venkaiah Naidu | 11 August 2017 | 10 August 2022 |
| 3 | Mohammad Hamid Ansari | 11 August 2007 | 10 August 2012 |
| 4 | Bhairon Singh Shekhawat | 19 August 2002 | 21 July 2007 |
| 5 | Krishan Kant | 21 August 1997 | 27 July 2002 |
| 6 | K. R. Narayanan | 21 August 1992 | 24 July 1997 |
| 7 | Shankar Dayal Sharma | 3 September 1987 | 24 July 1992 |
| 8 | Ramaswamy Venkataraman | 31 August 1984 | 24 July 1987 |
| 9 | Mohammad Hidayatullah | 31 August 1979 | 30 August 1984 |
| 10 | B. D. Jatti | 31 August 1974 | 30 August 1979 |
| 11 | Gopal Swarup Pathak | 31 August 1969 | 30 August 1974 |
| 12 | V. V. Giri | 13 May 1967 | 3 May 1969 |
| 13 | Zakir Husain | 13 May 1962 | 12 May 1967 |
| 14 | Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan | 13 May 1952 | 12 May 1957 |
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CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA (CJI) – Appointment, Tenure, Remuneration All Details
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