🗓️ Last Updated: September 30, 2026•📖 Reading Time: 12 mins
🧭 CONSTITUTIONAL POSITION & DUAL ROLE
The Vice-President of India occupies the second highest constitutional office in the country, ranked next to the President in the official Warrant of Precedence. Modeled broadly on the lines of the American Vice-President, the office is structured around two distinct roles: acting as the Ex-Officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) under Article 64, and discharging functions as or acting as the President of India under Article 65 during temporary or permanent vacancies in the Presidency. The Vice-President draws no salary in capacity as Vice-President, but receives the salary and allowances attached to the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
🔥 CONSTITUTIONAL PARADOX OF THE OFFICE
His Superfluous Highness: Prof. K.T. Shah and political scholars described the Indian Vice-Presidency as an office of convenience rather than structural necessity, as its primary daily function is presiding over the Upper House of Parliament.
When the Vice-President acts as President, he ceases to perform the duties of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, and the Deputy Chairman or a panel of chairpersons conducts the proceedings of the House.
1. 🗳️ Composition of the Electoral College (Article 66)
The Vice-President is elected indirectly by an Electoral College consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament. The election follows the system of Proportional Representation by means of the Single Transferable Vote (STV) via secret ballot:
Comparison Vector
Presidential Electoral College (Art. 54)
Vice-Presidential Electoral College (Art. 66)
Parliamentary Participation
ONLY Elected members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha vote.
BOTH Elected AND Nominated members of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha vote.
State Assemblies (MLAs)
Elected MLAs of States participate in the election.
State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) DO NOT participate.
Union Territories (UTs)
Elected MLAs of Delhi, Puducherry & J&K participate.
UT Assemblies DO NOT participate.
Dispute Resolution (Article 71): All doubts and disputes regarding the election of the Vice-President are investigated and decided exclusively by the Supreme Court of India, whose decision is final.
2. 📜 Qualifications, Oath & Conditions of Office
To be eligible for election as Vice-President under Article 66(3), a person must satisfy the following constitutional requirements:
Citizenship: Must be a citizen of India.
Age Criteria: Must have completed 35 years of age.
Legislative Qualification: Must be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). (Contrast: Presidential candidate must be qualified for Lok Sabha).
No Office of Profit: Must not hold any office of profit under the Union Government, State Government, or any local authority.
Nomination Papers Requirement: Nomination must be subscribed by at least 20 proposers and 20 seconders (compared to 50 proposers and 50 seconders for the President), with a security deposit of ₹15,000 in the Reserve Bank of India.
The Vice-President holds office for a term of 5 years from the date of entering office, and can resign by addressing a letter to the President. Re-election to the post is permitted for any number of terms (e.g., Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and Md. Hamid Ansari served two terms):
3.1 Removal Resolution Procedure
Unlike the President's impeachment, the removal of the Vice-President does not require a formal impeachment trial or specified constitutional grounds:
Step Sequence
Procedural Mandate under Article 67(b)
1. House Origin
The removal resolution can ONLY originate in the Rajya Sabha. It cannot be introduced in the Lok Sabha.
2. Mandatory Notice
Requires at least 14 days' advance written notice to the Vice-President.
3. Rajya Sabha Voting
Must be passed by an Effective Majority (majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha).
4. Lok Sabha Approval
Must be agreed to by the Lok Sabha by a Simple Majority (majority of members present and voting).
3.2 Vacancy Timing Rule (Article 68)
An election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiration of the term must be completed before the term expires. If the vacancy arises due to death, resignation, or removal, an election must be held "as soon as possible", and the newly elected Vice-President holds office for a full 5-year term.
4. ⚙️ Powers and Functional Capacities (Articles 64 & 65)
The Vice-President exercises two distinct functional domains in the constitutional framework:
4.1 Ex-Officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64)
Presides over the sittings of the Rajya Sabha; regulates debate, maintains order, and decides admissibility of questions, motions, and bills.
Does not vote in the first instance, but exercises a Casting Vote in case of an equality of votes (tie).
Protects the privileges of the members and committees of the Rajya Sabha.
Note: The Chairman is not a member of the House, unlike the Speaker of the Lok Sabha who is an elected member of the Lok Sabha.
4.2 Acting President (Article 65)
Acts as President in case of vacancy in the office of President caused by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, for a maximum period of 6 months.
Discharges functions of the President when the President is unable to function due to absence, illness, or any other cause, until the President resumes duties.
While acting as President, enjoys all powers, immunities, and privileges of the President and receives the Presidential salary.
5. 🇺🇸 Comparative Analysis: Indian vs. American Vice-President
Although the Indian Vice-Presidency was created on the American pattern, fundamental differences exist between the two systems:
Comparison Parameter
Indian Vice-President
American Vice-President
Succession to Vacant Presidency
Acts as President strictly as a temporary stop-gap for a maximum of 6 months until a new President is elected.
Succeeds to the Presidency for the full unexpired balance of the outgoing President's term.
Constitutional Executive Power
Holds no direct executive portfolio; primary role is presiding over the Upper House.
Holds significant executive standby authority; often assigned direct administrative and cabinet tasks.
Electoral System
Elected separately by Parliament through STV.
Elected jointly on a single ticket ('running mate') alongside the Presidential candidate.
6. 🎯 UPSC / UPPCS Prelims High-Yield Fact Vault
📌 MEMORY KEYS FOR DIRECT PRELIMS MCQs
Electoral College Exclusions: State MLAs and MLCs DO NOT vote in the Vice-Presidential election.
Nominated MPs Inclusion: Nominated members of Parliament DO vote in the Vice-Presidential election (unlike the Presidential election).
Rajya Sabha Qualification: Must be qualified for Rajya Sabha, but must NOT be a member of either House or State Assembly.
Removal Origin: Removal resolution can ONLY be introduced in the Rajya Sabha (requires 14 days' notice).
Removal Majority Type: Requires Effective Majority in Rajya Sabha + Simple Majority in Lok Sabha.
Salary Source: Draws salary as Ex-Officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (charged on the Consolidated Fund of India), NOT as Vice-President.
Casting Vote Power: Exercises a casting vote in Rajya Sabha under Article 100 in case of a tie.
7. 📝 Previous Year Question (PYQ) Themes
Comparative study of the Electoral Colleges for the election of the President and Vice-President of India.
Constitutional position and procedural requirements for the removal of the Vice-President under Article 67.
Contrast between the Indian Vice-President and the American Vice-President during presidential vacancies.
Role of the Vice-President as Ex-Officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha in maintaining legislative decorum.
8. ✍️ UPSC Mains Analytical Anchor Points
💡 STRUCTURAL VALUE ADDITIONS FOR GS PAPER 2
Institutional Continuity: The primary constitutional utility of the Vice-Presidency is to prevent an executive vacuum in the Head of State during sudden contingencies.
Non-Party Neutrality in Upper House: As Ex-Officio Chairman of the Council of States, the Vice-President acts as an impartial referee, ensuring minority political opinions find structured debate in the federal chamber.
Absence of Specified Removal Grounds: Unlike the President (impeached for 'Violation of the Constitution'), the Constitution specifies no grounds for removing the Vice-President, keeping the process strictly parliamentary.
9. ❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQ)
How does the Electoral College for the Vice-President differ from that of the President?
The Electoral College for the Vice-President (Article 66) consists of BOTH elected and nominated members of BOTH Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). Unlike the Presidential election, State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) and UT Assemblies DO NOT participate.
What is the procedure for removing the Vice-President from office under Article 67?
The Vice-President can be removed by a resolution passed by an Effective Majority (majority of then members) in the Rajya Sabha and agreed to by a Simple Majority in the Lok Sabha. A 14 days' advance notice is mandatory, and the resolution can ONLY originate in the Rajya Sabha. No specific grounds are mentioned in the Constitution.
How does the Indian Vice-President's role differ from the US Vice-President during a vacancy in the Presidency?
When the office of the Indian President falls vacant, the Vice-President acts as President for a maximum period of 6 months until a new President is elected. In contrast, the US Vice-President succeeds to the Presidency and occupies the office for the full remaining unexpired term of the outgoing President.
10. 🔗 Next GS2 Polity Modules in Series
Continue your systematically ordered GS2 Polity syllabus coverage:
Part V (Arts 63–71) ➔ Art 66 Electoral College (All MPs, No MLAs) ➔ Art 64 Ex-Officio Chairman Rajya Sabha ➔ Art 65 Acting President (Max 6 Mo) ➔ Art 67 Removal (RS Effective Majority + LS Simple Majority, 14 Days Notice) ➔ Contrast US Model (Max 6 Mo Stopgap vs Full Unexpired Term).
