Vice- President

The Vice President of India holds the second-highest constitutional office in the country, just below the President. Ranked next to the President in the official hierarchy, this office is modeled after the American Vice Presidency. The Vice President’s primary role is to step in as President if the incumbent President is unable to perform their duties due to death, resignation, or impeachment. Additionally, the Vice President serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), the upper house of India’s Parliament.

Election Process for Vice President

Unlike the President, the Vice President of India is not directly elected by the people but through an indirect election process. He is chosen by the members of both Houses of Parliament, forming an electoral college. This electoral college differs from that of the President’s election in two key ways:

• It includes both elected and nominated members of Parliament, whereas the President’s electoral college consists only of elected members.
  
• It excludes members of state legislative assemblies, unlike the President’s electoral college.
  

The election follows a system of proportional representation using the single transferable vote, and voting is done by secret ballot. Any election disputes or doubts are resolved by the Supreme Court, whose decision is final.

Constitutional Provisions for the Vice President

The Constitution of India outlines the following provisions regarding the Vice President’s office:

Article	Description
Article 63	There shall be a Vice President of India.
Article 64	The Vice President shall be the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Article 65	The Vice President may act as President in the event of a casual vacancy or absence of the President.
Article 66	The Vice President is elected by both Houses of Parliament through proportional representation.
Article 67	The Vice President serves a term of five years.
Article 68	Provisions regarding the term and vacancy in the office of the Vice President.
Article 69	Oath of office for the Vice President.
Article 70	Discharge of Presidential functions in emergencies.
Article 71	Resolves matters relating to disputes over the election of the President or Vice President.

Qualifications for the Vice President

To be eligible for election as Vice President, a candidate must:

• Be a citizen of India.
  
• Be at least 35 years of age.
  
• Be qualified to be elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
  
• Not hold any office of profit under the Union or State governments, or any local or public authority.
  

Oath of Office

Before assuming office, the Vice President must take an oath of office, swearing to uphold the Constitution of India and faithfully perform the duties of the office. The President or an appointed representative administers the oath.

Conditions of Office

The Constitution specifies two key conditions:

• The Vice President cannot be a member of either House of Parliament or a state legislature. If elected, he automatically vacates his seat in those bodies.
  
• The Vice President cannot hold any office of profit.
  

Term and Vacancy

• Term: The Vice President holds office for five years, but may resign at any time by submitting a resignation letter to the President.
  
• If the Vice President’s term expires or the office becomes vacant due to resignation, death, or disqualification, a new election is held as soon as possible.
  

Removal of the Vice President

The Vice President can be removed before the completion of their term, but this does not require impeachment. Removal is done through a resolution passed by an effective majority in the Rajya Sabha, and by simple majority in the Lok Sabha. A 14-day notice must be given before such a resolution is introduced in the Rajya Sabha.

Comparison with the US Vice President

India	USA
The Vice President serves as the second-in-command to the President, stepping in temporarily if the President’s office is vacant.	The US Vice President is also the second-in-command but takes over the Presidency if the President’s office becomes vacant.
The Indian Vice President is ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.	The US Vice President is the President of the Senate.
The Vice President of India does not automatically take over the Presidency but serves temporarily until a new President is elected.	The US Vice President assumes office immediately and serves the remainder of the President’s term if the presidency is vacant.

Powers and Functions of the Vice President

• Chairman of Rajya Sabha: As ex-officio Chairman, the Vice President presides over Rajya Sabha sessions, ensuring that parliamentary procedures are followed.
  
• Acting President: The Vice President steps in as Acting President when the President’s office is vacant due to death, resignation, or disqualification. This role can last for a maximum of six months, during which time a new President must be elected.
  
• While acting as President, the Vice President does not perform the duties of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, and this responsibility falls to the Deputy Chairman.
  

Significance of the Vice President

The Vice President’s role is crucial in maintaining the smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha and stepping in as the temporary head of state when necessary. As Chairman, the Vice President ensures order and decorum in Parliament and can cast a vote in case of a tie. The Vice President also appoints the Chairman and members of various Rajya Sabha committees.