The Vice President of India plays a crucial role in the functioning of the country’s political landscape, serving as the second-highest constitutional authority after the President. In the context of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations, understanding the intricacies of the Vice President’s role is imperative for aspirants aiming to excel in the Indian Polity section. The UPSC NCERT Notes on the Vice President delve into the constitutional provisions, powers, and responsibilities entrusted to this high office. These comprehensive notes, derived from the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) materials, serve as a valuable resource for UPSC aspirants, offering a detailed insight into the nuances of the Vice President’s position within the Indian political framework. Aspirants can leverage these notes to enhance their understanding of the subject, ensuring a solid foundation in Indian Polity and contributing to their success in the UPSC examinations.
The Vice-President’s Role:
- Article 63 of the Constitution outlines the position of the Vice-President of India, who holds the second-highest Constitutional Office in the country and is ranked just below the President in the Official Warrant of Precedence.
- Drawing inspiration from the American Constitution, the office of the Vice-President is established.
- According to Article 64, the Vice-President serves as the Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Articles Related to the Vice-President:
- Article 63 : Vice-President of India
- Article 64 : Vice-President as Ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States/Rajya Sabha
- Article 65 : Vice-President to discharge duties of President during absence or casual vacancy
- Article 66 : Election of Vice-President
- Article 67 : Term of the office of Vice-President
- Article 68 : Time of holding election to fill vacancy in the office of Vice-President and term of office of the person elected to fill casual vacancy
- Article 69 : Oath and affirmation of Vice-President
- Article 70 : Discharge of President’s function in other contingencies.
- Article 71 : Matters related to the election of the Vice-President
Election of the Vice-President:
- Article 66(1) stipulates that the Vice-President is elected by an Electoral College composed of members from both Houses of Parliament.
- The election follows the system of proportional representation through the Single Transferable Vote, with voting conducted by Secret Ballot.
- The Electoral College for the Vice-President’s office includes elected and nominated members of Parliament, excluding Members of State Legislative Assemblies.
- Elections occur within 60 days after the current Vice-President’s term expires and are overseen by the Election Commission of India.
- Article 71(1) designates the Supreme Court to inquire into and decide disputes related to the Vice-President’s election, with its decision being final. Challenges to the completeness of the Electoral College do not invalidate the election.
- If the Supreme Court declares the election void, acts performed by the Vice-President before the declaration remain valid.
- Article 66(2) specifies that the Vice-President cannot be a member of Parliament or a State Legislature. If a current member is elected Vice-President, they are deemed to vacate their parliamentary seat upon assuming office.
Qualifications:
- Article 66(3) outlines eligibility criteria for the Vice-President, including Indian citizenship, a minimum age of 35 years, and qualification for Rajya Sabha membership.
- Candidates must submit a deposit to the Reserve Bank of India, and holding other offices does not disqualify them unless they hold certain specified positions.
Tenure of Vice-President:
- Article 67 establishes a five-year term for the Vice-President, who may resign by addressing the President in writing. The Vice-President continues in office until the newly elected Vice-President assumes office.
Oath or Affirmation of Vice-President:
- The President or a designated person administers the oath or affirmation to the Vice-President before assuming office.
- The Vice-President pledges allegiance to the Constitution of India and undertakes to faithfully discharge the duties of the office.
Emoluments:
- The Constitution does not prescribe specific emoluments for the Vice-President. However, the Vice-President receives a regular salary as the Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- In 2018, the Vice-President’s salary was increased to ₹4 lakh per month from ₹1.25 lakh earlier.
Conditions of Office:
- The Constitution specifies two conditions for holding the office of the Vice-President:
- The individual should not be a member of either House of Parliament or a State Legislature. If elected Vice-President, they are considered to have vacated their seat in the respective House upon assuming office.
- The individual should not hold any other office of profit.
Removal and Vacancy:
- The Vice-President can resign by resigning from the President, effective upon acceptance.
- Removal from office requires a resolution from the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), passed by a majority and agreed upon by the House of the People (Lok Sabha), with at least 14 days’ notice.
- The Constitution is silent on who performs the Vice-President’s duties during a vacancy, before the term expiry, or when the Vice-President acts as the President.
- The election to fill a vacancy due to term expiration occurs before the term ends.
- In case of death, resignation, or removal, an election is held promptly, and the elected person serves a full five-year term.
- During a vacancy, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha or another member authorized by the President performs the Vice-President’s duties as the Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
- The Vice-President is eligible for re-election; examples include Dr. S Radhakrishnan in 1957 and Mohd. Hamid Ansari in 2012.
Powers and Functions:
- The Vice-President serves as the Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, with powers and functions similar to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
- The Vice-President, in this capacity, mirrors the American Vice-President, who serves as the Chairman of the Senate.
- In the event of a presidential vacancy due to resignation, removal, death, or other reasons, the Vice-President acts as President for a maximum of six months until a new President is elected.
- If the sitting President is unable to perform duties due to absence, illness, or other reasons, the Vice-President assumes these functions until the President resumes office.
- While acting as President, the Vice-President does not perform the duties of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; these duties are carried out by the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha during this period.
- The Vice-President receives salary and emoluments as per the office of the President while performing presidential duties.
Vice Presidents of India
| Vice-President | Tenures | Important Facts |
| Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan | 13th May, 1952 to 12th May, 1962 | First Vice-President, Longest Tenure (10 years) |
| Zakir Husain | 13th May, 1962 to 12th May, 1967 | Founder of Jamia Millia Islamia |
| Varahagiri Venkata Giri | 13th May, 1967 to 3rd May, 1969 | Shortest Tenure (2 years, first Vice President to resign) |
| Gopal Swarup Pathak | 31st August, 1969 to 30th August, 1974 | First Vice-President, who was Supreme Court Judge |
| Basappa Danappa Jatti | 31st August, 1974 to 30th August, 1979 | The only Vice-President, who had been Chief Minister, Cabinet Minister, and Congress President |
| Mohammad Hidayat-ul-lah | 31st August, 1979 to 30th August, 1984 | – |
| Ramaswamy Venkataraman | 31st August, 1984 to 27th July, 1987 | – |
| Shankar Dayal Sharma | 3rd September, 1987 to 24th July, 1992 | – |
| Kocheril Raman Narayanan | 21st August, 1992 to 24th July, 1997 | – |
| Krishan Kant | 21st August 1997 to 27th July 2002 (Died) | Died in office |
| Bhairon Singh Shekhawat | 19th August, 2002 to 21st July, 2007 | – |
| Mohammad Hamid Ansari | 11th August, 2007 to 19th August, 2017 | For two terms |
| Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu | 19th August, 2017 to 10th August, 2022 | – |
| Jagdeep Dhankhar | 11th August 2022 to Till Date (As of June 2023) | – |
Vice-President as Acting President:
- The Vice-President acts as President during a casual vacancy in the office of the President due to death, resignation, or removal until a new President is elected.
- In instances of Presidents Zakir Husain and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed’s deaths, Vice-Presidents V.V. Giri and B.D. Jatti, respectively, acted as President.
- 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.
Difference between the Power and Functions of Indian and American Vice-President:
| Aspect | Indian Vice-President | American Vice-President |
| Succession to Presidency | Succeeds to the Presidency during vacancy for a maximum of six months | Succeeds to the Presidency and completes the unexpired term |
| Purpose of the Office | Created for political continuity | Endowed with significant power and functions |
Difference between President and Vice-President:
| Aspect | President | Vice-President |
| Constitutional Position | Constitutional head of state | Acts as Chairman of Rajya Sabha |
| Election Process | Elected by Electoral College consisting of members of Parliament and Legislative Assembly members | Elected by an Electoral College limited to members of Parliament |
| Removal Process | Can only be removed through impeachment | Can be removed by a resolution of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) |
| Powers and Functions | Numerous functions under the Indian Constitution, legislative and executive roles, and Commander-in-Chief of Indian Defence Force | No official legislative or executive powers |
Prelims Facts
- Who presides over the Rajya Sabha without being its member? The Vice-President of India, who is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha [WBCS (Pre) 2017]
- How is the Vice-President of India removed from office? The Vice-President of India can be removed through a resolution in the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha [Nagaland PSC (Pre) 2010]
- By whom is the Vice-President of India elected? The Vice-President of India is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of both Houses of Parliament [Nagaland PSC (Pre) 2015, WBCS (Pre) 2022]
- Who has the authority to resolve disputes regarding the election of the Vice-President in India? The Supreme Court [CGPSC (Pre) 2012]
- What is the term for which the Vice-President is elected, according to Article 67 of the Constitution? The Vice-President is elected for a term of 5 years [MPSC (Pre) 2010]
- What is the eligibility criterion for a person contesting for the post of Vice-President? The person contesting for the post of Vice-President should not be a member of either House of Parliament or a State Legislature [IAS (Pre) 2014]
- In which house can a resolution for the removal of the Vice-President of India be moved? The resolution for removing the Vice-President of India can be moved in the Rajya Sabha only [IIAS (Pre) 2014]
- According to Article 66 of the Constitution, when can the Vice-President of India resign? The Vice-President can resign at any time by addressing the resignation letter to the President [MPPSC (Pre) 2015, MPPSC (Pre) 2013]
UPSC NCERT Practice Questions
1. The Vice-President of India UPPSC (Pre) 2013
1. Is the second highest dignitary of India.
2. Has no formal function attached to his office.
3. Discharges the functions of the President during his absence.
4. Acts as the President if the President resigns, or is removed or dies.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below.
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1, 2 and 3 (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) All of these
2. Concerning the election of the Vice-President of India, which is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, which of the following statements/s is/are correct? UPPSC. (Pre) 2023
1. The acts done by him as Vice-President before such declaration are considered valid.
2. The acts done by him as Vice-President on the day of such declaration are not considered valid.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below.
(a) Both 1 and 2
(b) Only 1
(c) Only 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
3. To whom does the President of India submit his resignation? CGPSC (Pre) 2012, JPSC (Pre) 2013
(a) Vice-President
(b) Chief Justice
(c) Speaker of Lok Sabha
(d) Prime Minister
4. Which of the following statements about the Vice-President of India is/are not correct?
1. To be the Vice-President, a person must be qualified for election as a member of the House of the People.
2. A member of the State Legislature can be a candidate for this office.
3. The term of the office of the Vice-President is the same as that of the President.
4. He can be removed through a formal impeachment Select the correct answer by using the codes given below
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3 (c) 1 and 4 (d) 3 and 4
5. Which one of the following statements is correct
1. A member of the State Legislature cannot contest the post of Vice-President.
2. The Vice-President can be removed by a resolution of the Council of States passed by a simple majority of the members with the House of People having nothing to do with it.
(a) Only 1
(c) Both 1 and 2
(b) Only 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Know Right Answer
1. (d); 2. (d); 3.(a); 4.(c); 5.(d)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Who is the Vice President of India, and what are their roles and responsibilities in the context of Indian Polity?
A1: The current Vice President of India is [Insert Name]. The Vice President serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament. The primary role is to preside over the sessions of the Rajya Sabha, maintain order, and decide on points of order. Additionally, the Vice President plays a crucial role in the absence of the President, as they act as the acting President if the President is unable to discharge their duties due to illness, travel, or any other reason.
Q2: How is the Vice President of India elected, and what is the term of office for this position?
A2: The Vice President is elected by an electoral college, which consists of members of both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union territories. The term of office for the Vice President is five years. Re-election is possible, and the Vice President can serve multiple terms, making the position crucial for the stability and functioning of the Indian political system.
Q3: Can the Vice President of India cast a tie-breaking vote in the Rajya Sabha, and what is their role in the legislative process?
A3: Unlike the Vice President of the United States, the Vice President of India does not have the authority to cast a tie-breaking vote in the Rajya Sabha. However, the Vice President plays a vital role in the legislative process. In addition to presiding over sessions, they have the power to refer bills to various parliamentary committees for detailed examination. Their role is more of a moderator, ensuring the smooth functioning of the house and facilitating discussions on important legislative matters.
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