Why in news?
The 2025 Vice Presidential election in India is scheduled for September 9, 2025, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar due to health concerns.
 
Election of Vice President
The Vice President of India is elected indirectly by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members) through a system of proportional representation using the single transferable vote and secret ballot.
 
Eligibility

• The candidate must be a citizen of India.
• The candidate must have completed 35 years of age.
• The candidate must be qualified to be elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
• The candidate must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India, any state government, public authority, or local authority.
• The candidate should not be a member of either House of Parliament when assuming office as Vice President; if elected while holding such a seat, that seat is deemed vacated on taking office.

Election process

• Electoral college: all members of both Houses of Parliament (elected and nominated)
• Voting system: proportional representation by single transferable vote
• Required nomination: supported by at least 20 MPs as proposers and 20 as seconders
• Security deposit: ₹15,000
• Election conducted by the Election Commission of India
• Elections held before the expiration of the outgoing Vice President’s term or as soon as possible after a vacancy arises

Duties

• Ex-officio Chairperson of Rajya Sabha
• Acts as President during casual vacancies or when the President is unable to perform duties (limited to max 6 months)
• Presides over Rajya Sabha sessions (except while acting as President)
• Discharges legislative and contingent executive functions as defined by Constitution Articles 63, 64, and 65

Removal (Article 67b)

• Authority to initiate removal: Only Rajya Sabha.
• Majority required in Rajya Sabha: Effective majority (majority of all then members).
• Approval by Lok Sabha: Simple majority.
• Notice period: At least 14 days' advance notice before moving the resolution.
• Grounds for removal: Not specified in the Constitution.
• Impeachment: Unlike the President, the Vice President does not have a formal impeachment procedure.
• Supreme Court role: It can remove the Vice President for election malpractices or if found ineligible under election law provisions.

This office is the second highest constitutional position in India, with a unique blend of legislative and limited executive roles in the parliamentary system.

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