Topic 03 of 6 · Chapter 09 · Indian Polity
Vice-President of India — Election & Powers
Election (Article 66), qualifications, term, functions as Chairman of Rajya Sabha, acting President, and comparison with US VP.
📋 In This Article
1. Position of Vice-President
The Vice-President of India is the second highest constitutional office in India. The VP is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Article 64). The VP is elected by an indirect election.
2. Qualifications
To be eligible for election as Vice-President, a person must:
- Be a citizen of India
- Have completed the age of 35 years
- Be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha
- Not hold any office of profit
3. Election Process
The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) — both elected and nominated members.
⭐ Key Difference: For the election of President, only elected members of Parliament and State Assemblies participate. For the election of Vice-President, both elected and nominated members of Parliament participate — but State Assembly members do NOT participate.
The election is by proportional representation with single transferable vote (STV) — same as the President’s election.
4. Term and Removal
- Term: 5 years from the date of entering office
- Can be re-elected any number of times
- Can be removed by a resolution of Rajya Sabha passed by a majority of all members and agreed to by Lok Sabha
- 14 days’ notice required for removal resolution
💡 Key Idea: The VP can be removed by Rajya Sabha (not by impeachment like the President). The removal resolution must be passed by Rajya Sabha and agreed to by Lok Sabha — but no special majority is required (simple majority suffices).
5. Functions
- Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha: Presides over Rajya Sabha sessions
- Maintains order in Rajya Sabha
- Decides points of order
- Does not have a casting vote (unlike Speaker of Lok Sabha)
- Receives salary as Chairman of Rajya Sabha (not as VP)
6. Acting President
The VP acts as President when:
- The President’s office falls vacant (death, resignation, removal)
- The President is unable to discharge functions due to absence, illness, or other cause
✅ Remember: When the VP acts as President, they do not perform the duties of Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha presides over Rajya Sabha during this period.
7. VP of India vs VP of USA
| Feature | VP of India | VP of USA |
|---|---|---|
| Election | Indirect — by members of Parliament | Direct — elected with President as running mate |
| Role in legislature | Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha | President of the Senate |
| Casting vote | No casting vote | Has casting vote in Senate |
| Succession | Acts as President when office falls vacant | Becomes President when office falls vacant |
| Removal | By resolution of Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha | By impeachment |
8. Key Points for Exam
🔑 Must-Remember Facts
- VP: Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64)
- Minimum age: 35 years
- Election: By both elected and nominated MPs (no State Assembly members)
- President election: Only elected MPs + elected MLAs
- VP election: All MPs (elected + nominated)
- Term: 5 years
- Removal: By Rajya Sabha resolution + Lok Sabha agreement
- VP does NOT have casting vote in Rajya Sabha
- When VP acts as President: Deputy Chairman presides over RS
- Article 66: Election of VP; Article 64: VP as Chairman of RS