Vice President of India : post, power and functions
Vice President of India: Post, Power and Functions refers to the constitutional office of the Vice President, who is the second-highest constitutional authority in the country and acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In Indian Polity, the Vice President plays an important role in the parliamentary framework by presiding over the Upper House and discharging the functions of the President in case of vacancy or absence. The office ensures continuity and stability in the constitutional system of governance.
The post of Vice President in India is the second highest constitutional post in the country.
In the official order of precedence, it comes after the President.
This post has been created on the lines of the Vice President of America.
The Vice President holds the second highest position after the President in the Order of Precedence issued by the President of India.
In India, the Vice President can remain the acting President for a maximum of 6 months, until a new President is elected.
The articles relating to the Vice-President are from Article 63 to Article 71 of the Indian Constitution.
function and Responsibilities Vice President
Articles related to the Vice-President
Article
Theme
63
Vice-President of India
64
Vice-President to be the ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States
65
The Vice-President to discharge the duties of the President in the event of a casual vacancy or in the absence of the President
66
Vice-Presidential Election
67
Vice-President’s term
68
The timing of the election to fill a vacancy in the office of Vice-President and the term of office of the person elected to fill the casual vacancy
69
Swearing-in by the Vice-President
70
Discharge of the duties of the President in other contingencies
71
Matters relating to or connected with the election of the Vice-President
Article 63: Vice-President of India
There will be a Vice President in India.
This is a constitutional post, which has been provided for in the Indian Constitution.
Article 64: Vice-President to be ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
The Vice President is automatically the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (ex-officio Chairman).
He cannot hold any other office of profit.
When the Vice-President acts as President or discharges the functions of the President under Article 65:
During that period he will not perform the duties of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
He will not get the salary/allowances of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (under Article 97).
In this context, his powers and functions are similar to those of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Article 65: Vice-President to act in the absence or vacancy in the office of the President
When the office of President falls vacant: If the office of the President becomes vacant by reason of his death, resignation, removal or otherwise, the Vice-President shall act as President until a new President-elect enters upon his office.
In the event of the absence or incapacity of the President: If the President is ill, absent, or otherwise unable to perform his duties, the Vice-President shall discharge the functions of the President until the President resumes his duties.
Rights and privileges: The Vice-President shall have all the powers and privileges of the President while acting as President.
He shall be entitled to such emoluments, allowances and privileges as may be determined by Parliament by law,
And until such provision is made, he shall have the facilities mentioned in the Second Schedule.
When the Vice President acts as the Acting President for a period, he does not receive the salary and allowances received by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, but he receives the salary and allowances etc. received by the President.
If the post of Vice-President is also vacant then the Chief Justice of India will act as the Acting President.
If the post of Chief Justice is also vacant then the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court will become the acting President.
The Acting President is vested with all the powers and immunities of the President and such facilities, allowances and privileges as may be prescribed by Parliament.
Salary and allowances of the Vice President
There is no separate article in the Constitution for the salary and allowances of the Vice President.
He receives salary, allowances and pension as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Currently –
Salary of Vice President: โน4 lakh per month.
President’s Salary: โน5 lakh per month.
The salary, allowances and pension of the Vice President are expenses charged on the Consolidated Fund of India
Article 66: Election of the Vice-President
Process of Election:
The electoral college for the Vice President consists of both elected and nominated members of Parliament.
Vice PresidentThe electoral college does not include members of state legislatures.
The election is held through the system of proportional representation with single transferable vote and voting is by secret ballot.
In the original Constitution, the Vice-President was to be elected by a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.
This process was complex and cumbersome, hence it was abolished by the 11th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1961.
At present the term “joint session” is not used anywhere in the Constitution.
Effect on membership of Parliament/Legislature:
The Vice President cannot be a member of either House of Parliament or any State Legislature.
If a member is elected as Vice-President, his membership shall automatically terminate from the date on which he enters upon his office.
Eligibility:A person shall be eligible to become Vice-President only if heโ
Be a citizen of India,
be 35 years of age or older,
Must be eligible to become a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Disqualifications:If a person holds an office of profit under the Government of India, a State Government or any local or other authority subordinate to them, he cannot become the Vice President.
The nomination of a candidate for election to the office of Vice President must be signed by at least 20 voters as proposers and 20 voters as seconders.
Each candidate has to deposit a security deposit of โน15,000 with the Reserve Bank of India.
Article 67: Term of office of the Vice-President
Tenure:The Vice President shall hold office for a term of 5 years from the date on which he enters upon his office.
The election of the new Vice President will be completed before the term of the Vice President ends.
If the post of Vice President becomes vacant due to any reason (death, resignation, impeachment etc.), then elections will be held within 6 months from the date of vacancy.
The person elected shall hold the office of Vice-President for a term of 5 years from the date on which he enters upon his office.
Resignation from the post:The Vice-President may resign from office by writing addressed to the President.
Removal:
Formal impeachment is not required to remove the Vice President.
He can be removed by a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha by a majority of the then members.
The consent of the Lok Sabha is necessary for this.
It is mandatory to give at least 14 days’ notice before proposing such a resolution.
It is worth noting that there is no basis in the Constitution for removing the Vice President.
The Vice President does not preside over the Rajya Sabha at the time of the motion.
Remaining in office until the arrival of a successor:Even after the expiry of the term, the Vice President continues in office until a new Vice President assumes office.
Article 68: Procedure for filling a vacancy in the office of Vice-President
The election to fill the vacancy arising out of the expiry of the term of the Vice-President shall be held before the expiry of the term.
If the office of the Vice-President becomes vacant by reason of his death, resignation, removal or otherwise, an election shall be held as soon as may be necessary to fill the vacancy.
There is a provision for immediate election in case of casual vacancy, but there is no time limit of 6 months.
A person elected due to a casual vacancy shall, subject to the provisions of article 67, hold office as Vice-President for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office.
There is no provision for an acting Vice President in the Constitution.
Article 69: Oath or affirmation by the Vice-President
Before entering upon the office of the Vice-President, he must make and subscribe before the President or some representative appointed by the President an oath or affirmation.
Form of Oath: The Vice-President shall make and subscribe the oath or affirmation by saying the following sentence:
“I, so and so, do swear in the name of God (or solemnly affirm) that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India as by law established and that I will faithfully discharge the duties of the office I am about to enter.”
Article 70: Discharge of functions of the President in other contingencies
If any emergency arises which is not mentioned in this Chapter, Parliament may decide who shall perform the duties of the President and how.
Parliament has the power to make necessary legal provisions in such matters as it deems appropriate.
Article 71: Disputes relating to the election of the President or Vice-President
All doubts and disputes arising out of the election of the President or Vice President shall be finally decided only by the Supreme Court. Its decision is final.
If the Supreme Court declares a person’s election void, his previous actions will be considered valid, even though he is no longer validly elected.
Parliament has the power to regulate by law the matters relating to the election of the President or Vice-President.
The election of the President or Vice-President cannot be called in question on the ground of any vacancy in the electoral college.
Powers and Functions of the Vice-President
Dual Functions โ The Vice President has two main functions:
Acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha
The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
In this role, his powers and functions are similar to those of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
He conducts the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha, maintains discipline, controls question hour and debates, etc.
In this role, he acts like the Vice President of the United States, who is the Chairman of the Upper House (Senate).
Acting President
When the office of the President becomes vacant due to resignation, removal, death or other reasons, the Vice President becomes the Acting President.
He can remain acting President for a maximum period of 6 months.
During this period, election of a new President is necessary.
If the President is temporarily absent, ill, or unable to perform his or her duties, the Vice President temporarily performs his or her duties.
When the Vice President serves as Acting President, he does not serve as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Deputy Chairman presides over the Rajya Sabha in his place.
1969 โ On the death of President Dr. Zakir Hussain, Vice President V.V. Giri became the acting President.
After the resignation of V. V. Giri from the post of Vice President, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court M. Hidayatullah became the acting President.
1977 โ Vice President B. D. Jatti becomes Acting President upon the death of President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.
Election of Vice Presidents (1952โ2025)
S.No.
Election year
Winning candidate
Special Facts/Notes
1
1952
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
Elected unopposedElected twice to the post of Vice President.Dr. S. Radhakrishnan assumed the office of President in June 1960 during the visit of President Dr. Rajendra Prasad to the Soviet Union.Dr. Radhakrishnan also acted as President when Dr. Rajendra Prasad was unwell in July 1961.
2
1957
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
3
1962
Dr. Zakir Hussain
later became president
4
1967
VV Giri
Resignation before completion of termServed as acting President upon the death of President Dr. Zakir Hussain.
5
1969
G.S. Pathak
First Vice President who did not become President
6
1974
B.D. Jatti
Served as Acting President upon the death of President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.Longest-serving acting president
7
1979
M. Hidayatullah
elected unopposedFormer CJI; also served as Acting PresidentAll three positions (CJI, President, Vice President)the only person working on
8
1984
R. Venkataraman
Resigned upon becoming a presidential candidate; later became President
9
1987
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
elected unopposedResignation upon becoming a presidential candidate; The only Congress National President who became Vice President; later became President
10
1992
K. R. Narayanan
later became president
11
1997
Krishnakant
He was the first Vice President to die while in office.
12
2002
B.S. Shekhawat
Resigned before the completion of his term to contest the presidential election.
13
2007
Md. Hamid Ansari
-Was elected twice to the post of Vice President.Joined the Indian Foreign Service;
14
2012
Md. Hamid Ansari
15
2017
Venkaiah Naidu
The only BJP national president who became the Vice President
16
2022
Jagdeep Dhankhar
Lawyer; former Governor of West Bengal; defeated Margaret Alva in 2022
17
2025
C.P. Radhakrishnan
15th Vice President of India from 12 September 2025
Facts about the Vice President
Vice President elected unopposed
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (2 times)
M. Hidayatullah
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
Resigned to become a presidential candidate:
V. V. Giri
R. Venkataraman
Shankar Dayal Sharma
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
Vice-President who later became President of India
S. No.
Name
Vice-Presidential tenure
Presidential term
1
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
1952 โ 1962
1962 โ 1967
2
Dr. Zakir Hussain
1962 โ 1967
1967 โ 1969
3
V. V. Giri
1967 โ 1969
1969 โ 1974
4
R. Venkataraman
1984 โ 1987
1987 โ 1992
5
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
1987 โ 1992
1992 โ 1997
6
K. R. Narayanan
1992 โ 1997
1997 โ 2002
Vice Presidents who could not become President
Gopal Swarup Pathak
B.D. Jatti
Mohammad Hidayatullah
Krishnakant
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat
Hamid Ansari
Venkaiah Naidu
Election details of the major Vice-Presidents
Serial number
Winning candidate
Main rivals
1
Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
Unopposed
2
VV Giri
Prof. Habib
3
B.D. Jatti
N.E. Horo
4
M. Hidayatullah
Unopposed
5
Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma
Unopposed
6
Md. Hamid Ansari
Jaswant Singh
7
M. Venkaiah Naidu
Gopalkrishna Gandhi
8
Jagdeep Dhankhar (528)
Margaret Alva (182)
9
C.P. Radhakrishnan (452)
B Sudarshan Reddy (300)
C.P. Radhakrishnan:
In office: 15th Vice President of India from 12 September 2025.
Background: Born in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, he is a veteran BJP leader.
Political career: Elected as MP from Coimbatore in 1998 and 1999. Lost in 2004, 2014, and 2019.
As Governor: Became Governor of Jharkhand in 2023, also holding additional charge of Telangana and Puducherry. Appointed Governor of Maharashtra in July 2024.
Contribution: Served as Chairman of the Coir Board in Kochi between 2016-2020 and led the 93-day Rath Yatra in 2007.
