Polity · X-Factor Notes
The Vice-President revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Model and Precedence | The office of the Vice-President of India is modeled on the lines of the American Vice-President. The Vice-President (VP) is the second highest dignitary of India and is next to the President in the official order of precedence. | UP Lower Sub. Pre 2013 |
| Constitutional Mandate (Article 63) | There shall be a Vice-President of India. | |
| Ex-officio Chairman (Article 64) | The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). The Rajya Sabha is presided over by one who is not its member (the VP). | UPPCS Pre 1992, UPPCS Pre 1993, UPPCS Pre 1990, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Mains) 2010, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. Pre 2013 |
| Role in Parliament | The VP (as Chairman of Rajya Sabha) can participate in the proceedings of both Houses of Parliament even though he is not a member. | |
| Salary | The VP draws his salary (₹4 lakh per month) in his capacity as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; the Constitution has not fixed any emoluments for the VP in that capacity. | |
| Non-Integral Part of Parliament | The Vice-President is not an integral part of Parliament (unlike the President). | UPPCS (Mains) 2013 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Election Method (Article 66(1)) | The election is by indirect election. It is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and secret ballot. | U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016 |
| Electoral College Composition | Consists of all members (both elected and nominated) of both Houses of Parliament. | UPPCS (Mains) 2012, UPPCS Pre 2012 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Term of Office (Article 67(a)) | Holds office for a term of five years. | UPPCS (Mains) 2005 |
| Removal Procedure (Article 67(b)) | VP is removed by a resolution of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) passed by an absolute majority (majority of all the then members) and subsequently agreed to by the House of the People (Lok Sabha). | UPPCS (Mains) 2013 |
| Initiation of Removal |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| First Vice-President | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan was the first Vice-President of India (1952-1962). | UPPCS Pre 2013 |
| VPs with Diplomatic Experience | Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (Ambassador to the U.S.S.R.) and V.V. Giri (High Commissioner of Sri Lanka) had held diplomatic posts before becoming Vice-President. | |
| VPs who were Chief Justice |
| Exclusion from Electoral College |
|---|
| Members of State Legislatures (MLAs) do not play a role in the election of the Vice-President. |
| U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016, UPPCS Pre 2012 |
| Qualifications (Article 66(3)) | Must be a citizen of India, completed the age of 35 years, and qualified for election as a member of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). | U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Spl) (Pre) 2010, UPPCS (Mains) 2005 |
|---|
| The resolution for removal must be proposed/presented in the Rajya Sabha only. |
| UPPCS (Mains) 2007, UPPCS (Mains) 2003, 2004 |
| Notice Requirement | A minimum of 14 days' prior notice must be given for the intention to move the removal resolution. | UPPCS (Mains) 2005 |
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| Impeachment Term | The removal procedure for the VP is not a formal impeachment (impeachment applies strictly to the President for violation of the Constitution). | UPPCS (Mains) 2005 |
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| Acting as President (Article 65) | The Vice-President acts as the President when the President's office falls vacant due to death, resignation, removal, or inability. | U.P. Lower Sub. Pre 2013 |
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| Maximum Acting Term | When acting as President, the Vice-President can hold the office for a maximum period of six months (until a new President is elected). |
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| Line of Succession | If the posts of both President and Vice-President are vacant, the Chief Justice of India (or the senior most Supreme Court judge available) officiates as President. | UPPCS (Mains) 2014 |
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| VPs who became President | Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (Vice President: 1952–1962, President: 1962–1967) Dr. Zakir Husain (Vice President: 1962–1967, President: 1967–1969) V. V. Giri (Vice President: 1967–1969, President: 1969–1974) Ramaswamy Venkataraman (Vice President: 1984–1987, President: 1987–1992) Shankar Dayal Sharma (Vice President: 1987–1992, President: 1992–1997) K. R. Narayanan (Vice President: 1992–1997, President: 1997–2002) | U.P. Lower Sub. Pre 2002 |
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| Sequence Number | Mohammad Hamid Ansari was the 12th Vice-President of India. |
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| Appointment vs. Election | The statement that the Vice-President is appointed by the President of India is incorrect, as the VP is elected. |
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| No. | Vice President |
|---|
| 1 | Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan |
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| 2 | Zakir Husain |
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| 3 | V. V. Giri |
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| 4 | Gopal Swarup Pathak |
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| 5 | B. D. Jatti |
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| 6 | Mohammad Hidayatullah |
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| 7 | R. Venkataraman |
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| 8 | Shankar Dayal Sharma |
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| 9 | K. R. Narayanan |
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| 10 | Krishan Kant |
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| 11 | Bhairon Singh Shekhawat |
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| 12 | Mohammad Hamid Ansari |
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| 13 | M. Venkaiah Naidu |
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| 14 | Jagdeep Dhankhar |
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| 15 | C P Radhakrishnan | 2025 - Present |
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