Practice Questions on Vice President of India for UPSC and State PSC exams

Article 63: There shall be a Vice-President of India. Second highest constitutional office, modelled on US Vice-President.

Article 64: VP is ex-officio Chairman of Council of States (Rajya Sabha), presides over proceedings, maintains order.

Article 66 lays down manner of election, qualifications, and procedure.

Article 66(1): electoral college of members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha (elected and nominated). Unlike President, state MLAs do not participate.

Article 66(1): system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote, secret ballot.

Must be citizen, completed 35 years, qualified for election as member of Council of States.

Article 66(4): shall not hold office of profit under Union/state/local authority.

Article 67: holds office for five years from date of entering office.

Article 67(a): resignation addressed to President.

Article 67(b): removed by resolution of Rajya Sabha passed by majority of all then members and agreed to by Lok Sabha. No formal impeachment, no grounds specified.

Article 67 proviso: at least 14 days notice of intention to move resolution.

Article 65(1): VP discharges functions of President during vacancy by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise.

Article 65 read with Article 62: election to fill vacancy must be held within six months.

Article 65(2): during temporary inability.

Article 65(3): VP shall not perform duties of Chairman during such period.

Article 97: salary of Chairman determined by Parliament, charged on Consolidated Fund. As acting President, gets President’s salary.

Jagdeep Dhankhar assumed office 11 August 2022, term till 2027. (Note: check latest).

S. Radhakrishnan (1952-1962), later became President.

Radhakrishnan served two VP terms then President 1962-67.

V.V. Giri acted as President after Zakir Husain death 1969, then elected.

Article 71(1): SC has exclusive jurisdiction, decision final.

Article 71(2): acts not invalidated.

Though Chairman, VP is not a member of Rajya Sabha, cannot vote except casting vote in tie.

Article 100: Chairman votes only in case of equality.

Article 69: oath before President or person appointed.

Form in Third Schedule.

Article 324: EC superintendence.

Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act 1952: 20 proposers and 20 seconders, deposit ₹15,000.

Same as President election rules.

Article 66 read with 67: eligible for re-election any number of times. Hamid Ansari served two terms.

Both served 1952-62 and 2007-2017 respectively.

Article 65 covers both permanent vacancy and temporary inability.

Deputy Chairman performs duties under Article 65(3).

Simpler process than President’s impeachment, no judicial inquiry required.

Constitution silent on grounds, unlike President’s ‘violation’.

As Chairman, has procedural powers but no legislative initiative.

Article 97: Parliament by law fixes salary.

As Chairman Rajya Sabha, salary ₹4 lakh per month plus allowances.

US model: presiding officer of upper house, successor to President.

Indian VP primarily legislative role, no executive duties except acting President.

Not a member, but part of Parliament as Chairman.

President election includes MLAs, excludes nominated MPs; VP opposite.

Each MP has one vote, unlike President where value varies.

Article 67(b): resolution passed by majority of all then members.

Lok Sabha must agree by simple majority.

No judicial inquiry required.

Article 67: holds office until successor assumes.

Full presidential status during period.

No woman has held VP office as of 2026.

EC issues under Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act.

As per Supreme Court rules.

Article 118(4): Speaker presides over joint sitting, not VP.

Eligible if qualified; several VPs became Presidents.

Six VPs elevated to Presidency.

Article 68 provides for election to fill vacancy.

Article 68(2): election held as soon as possible; person serves full 5-year term.

Constitution does not prescribe 6-month limit for VP, only ‘as soon as possible’.

Article 118: each House makes rules.

Article 100.

Only Rajya Sabha can initiate.

By statute, VP is Chancellor of Panjab University and Delhi University (by convention).

Separate secretariat under Rajya Sabha.

As Chairman, nominates members to committees.

Quota = (total votes/(1+1))+1 for single seat.

Unlike President, no ground specified.

Dual role: presides Rajya Sabha and acts as President.

Along with first general elections.

Article 67.

Full constitutional status.

Articles 66(2) and 66(4).