Election of Vice‑President of India – Chinmaya IAS Academy

Constitutional Provisions

- Article 63 establishes the office of Vice‑President.
- Article 66(1): Election via an Electoral College of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha, including nominated members). State legislatures do not participate
- Article 67(a): Vice‑President may resign by writing to the President; Article 68(2): Vacancies must be filled “as soon as possible” (no fixed deadline)
- Disputes relating to election are adjudicated by a five‑judge bench of the Supreme Court (Article 71(1))

Statutory Framework

- Governed by the Presidential and Vice‑Presidential Elections Act, 1952 and the Rules, 1974

Must be:

- Citizen of India,
- At least 35 years old,
- Qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha,
- Not holding any office of profit under central/state government

Nomination process:

- Backed by at least 20 proposers and 20 seconders from MPs,
- Security deposit of ₹15,000,
- Scrutiny deadline: 1 day after filing,
- Withdrawal period: 2 days

Voting method: Single Transferable Vote (STV) under proportional representation; conducted via secret ballot inside Parliament premises
Each MP casts one vote, ranking multiple preferences (1, 2, 3…). First preference is mandatory, others optional.
Quota formula: (Total valid votes ÷ 2) + 1 (disregarding fraction).
Counting: If no one achieves the quota, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated and votes are transferred until someone meets the quota

Vacancies arising due to resignation, removal, death, etc., must be filled without undue delay under Article 68(2)
While no fixed timeline exists, EC typically follows a statutory minimum of ~32 days: 14 days for nominations, 1 day scrutiny, 2 days withdrawal, plus minimum 15 days until polling if needed
From Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation on 21 July 2025, EC initiated the election process within 48 hours; electoral roll preparations and appointment of Returning Officer (Rajya Sabha Secretary-General) were set in motion

There is no acting Vice‑President post-resignation. The Deputy Chairperson of Rajya Sabha (currently Harivansh Narayan Singh) officiates proceedings in the Upper House until a new VP is elected
Eligible candidate elected mid‑term gets a full five‑year term from assumption of office, not just the remaining part of predecessor’s tenure