Constitutional Position

• 2nd-highest constitutional office after the President (Order of Precedence).
• Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Articles 64 & 89).
• Article 63: “There shall be a Vice President of India.”
• First in line of succession to the President.

Election Process (Article 66)

• Indirect election by an Electoral College of both Houses of Parliament.
  • Includes elected and nominated MPs of Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha.
  • State legislatures are NOT involved (unlike Presidential elections).
• System:
  • Proportional representation,
  • Single Transferable Vote (STV),
  • Secret ballot.
• Conducted by the Election Commission under the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act, 1952.
• Disputes: SC has exclusive jurisdiction (Article 71).

Eligibility

(As per Articles 66(4), 84, and 102)

• Must be an Indian citizen.
• ≥ 35 years of age.
• Eligible for Rajya Sabha membership.
• Must not hold an office of profit.

Term & Oath

• Term: 5 years (Article 67).
• Oath/Affirmation: Article 69, administered by the President.
• Outgoing VP continues until successor takes charge (Article 67(c)).
• May resign by submitting a resignation to the President.

Powers & Functions

1. As Rajya Sabha Chairman

• Presides over RS; maintains order.
• Casting a vote in case of a tie.
• Does NOT vote otherwise (same as Speaker).

2. When Acting as President (Article 65)

• VP acts as President during:
  • Vacancy (death, resignation, removal).
  • The President’s absence/illness.
• Must hold office until the new President is elected within 6 months.
• During this period, VP does not perform the RS Chairman functions.

Removal Procedure (Article 67(b))

• No impeachment (unlike the President).
• Only the Rajya Sabha can initiate removal.
• Requires:
  1. 14-day prior notice stating intent + reasons.
  2. Effective majority of RS
     • (Majority of total membership, not just those present & voting).
  3. Simple majority of the Lok Sabha for approval.
• No specific grounds written in the Constitution — left to Parliament’s discretion.
• Lok Sabha does NOT vote on the resolution itself, only agrees post-RS passage.