Why in News?

  • P. Radhakrishnan, former Maharashtra Governor and BJP leader from Tamil Nadu, was elected the 17th Vice-President of India on September 9, 2025.
  • He defeated Justice B. Sudershan Reddy (Retd.), the joint Opposition (INDIA bloc) nominee, by a margin of 152 votes.
  • The Vice Presidential election followed the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar in July, two years before completing his term.
  • The ruling NDA nominated P. Radhakrishnan (Governor of Maharashtra), while the Opposition fielded B. Sudershan Reddy (former Supreme Court judge).
Detail Figures
Total Strength of Electoral College 788
Vacant Seats (Rajya Sabha + Lok Sabha) 7 (6 RS + 1 LS)
Effective Strength for Voting 781
Votes Polled 767
Valid Votes 752
Invalid Votes 15
Majority Required 377
Votes Secured (Radhakrishnan - NDA) 452
Votes Secured (Reddy - INDIA bloc) 300
Abstentions 14 MPs

KEY POLITICAL TAKEAWAYS

1. Opposition Falls Short
  • Despite claims of full participation, the Opposition candidate received only 300 votes — 24 less than the INDIA bloc’s estimated strength (324).
  • Congress called this a “moral victory”; BJP claimed cross-voting
2. Cross-Voting and Invalid Ballots
  • BJP MP Sanjay Jaiswal claimed up to 40 Opposition MPs voted in some form for the NDA candidate.
  • The 15 invalid votes are believed to be deliberately spoiled by some Opposition MPs — suggesting internal divisions.
3. Ruling Alliance Exceeds Its Strength
  • NDA+ allies were expected to gather 439 votes; Radhakrishnan received 452, indicating 13 additional votes, possibly due to cross-voting or support from unaffiliated MPs.
4. Strong Symbolic Message
  • Radhakrishnan’s election:
    • Reinforces BJP’s OBC outreach (Gounder community in Tamil Nadu).
    • Adds Southern representation at the top constitutional level.
    • Marks a shift from confrontational predecessor Jagdeep Dhankhar, signaling a possible course correction.
5. Widespread Participation – Despite Odds
  • Aged and ill MPs participated:
    • Deve Gowda (92) voted in a wheelchair.
    • Engineer Rashid, in judicial custody under UAPA, brought under court order.
    • TMC MPs voted despite illness.
    • Amritpal Singh (NSA detainee) abstained, returning postal ballot.
6. OBC Representation & Social Messaging
  • Radhakrishnan is from the OBC Gounder community, reinforcing BJP’s OBC outreach.
  • Now, all three top constitutional posts (President, PM, Vice President) are held by marginalised social groups:
    • President – Adivasi woman
    • PM – OBC (Western India)
    • Vice President – OBC (Southern India)
  • Strategic Tamil Nadu Focus
    • First time in decades a Tamil Nadu leader holds such a high post.
    • Seen as BJP's strategic preparation for 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly Elections, where it aims to expand influence via AIADMK alliance and Gounder vote consolidation.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS: VP OF INDIA

Article Provision
Article 63 Provides for the office of the Vice President
Article 64 Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Article 65 To act as President in case of vacancy or absence
Article 66 Election process of Vice President
Article 67 Term, resignation, and removal
Article 71 Disputes related to election
Vice-President’s Pension Act, 1997 Governs post-retirement perks and pension

KEY FUNCTIONS & POWERS

  • Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha
    • Presides over Rajya Sabha sessions.
    • Maintains order and discipline in the House.
    • Does not vote in first instance; can cast deciding vote in case of tie.
  • Acts as President
    • During vacancy in President’s office (death, resignation, impeachment, etc.)
    • When President is unable to perform duties (illness, absence, etc.)
    • Enjoys all powers, privileges, and salary of the President during this period.
  • Second highest constitutional office in India (after the President).

ELECTION PROCESS OF VP OF INDIA (ARTICLE 66)

Parameter Detail
Electoral College Comprises both elected and nominated members of Lok Sabha (543) and Rajya Sabha (233 elected + 12 nominated)
Voting system Proportional Representation by means of Single Transferable Vote
Voting method Secret ballot
Ballot rules - Must mark 1st preference (mandatory) - Can mark 2nd, 3rd preferences (optional) - Preferences can be in Indian or Roman numerals, or any recognised Indian language

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA (ARTICLE 66 (3) & (4))

Criteria Requirement
Citizenship Must be a citizen of India
Age Must have completed 35 years
Qualification Must be qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha
Disqualification Must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India, any State, or local authorities
  • Note: If an MP or MLA is elected as Vice President, they are deemed to have vacated their seat on assuming office.

TERM & REMOVAL (ARTICLE 67)

Provision Detail
Term 5 years from the date of entering office
Resignation Can resign by writing to the President
Removal - By resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by majority of all members - Agreed to by Lok Sabha
Holding office post-term Continues until successor takes over

DISPUTES REGARDING ELECTIONS

  • Only Supreme Court has jurisdiction to adjudicate election disputes.
  • Decision is final and binding.
  • Acts done during term of a Vice President whose election is later declared void remain valid.
  • Parliament may regulate any matter related to such elections by law.

POST RETIREMENT PERKS & EMOLUMENTS

Salary & Pension
Year Salary
Before 2018 ₹1.25 lakh/month
After 2018 revision ₹4 lakh/month
  • Pension: 50% of the last drawn salary (₹2 lakh/month as of 2025).
  • Spouse entitled to 50% of the pension post demise of the Vice President.

OTHER PERKS UNDER VP PENSION ACT, 1997

  • Furnished residence (rent-free)
  • Medical facilities
  • Secretarial staff:
    • Private Secretary
    • Additional Private Secretary
    • Personal Assistant
    • Two Peons
  • Office and travel expenses (up to a fixed limit)

IMPORTANCE OF THE VP ELECTION

  • Reflects parliamentary democracy at work, as the electoral college consists only of MPs.
  • Vacancy due to premature resignation (as in 2025) is rare.
  • Can influence Rajya Sabha functioning, especially during politically tense periods.
  • Vital constitutional back-up for the President.

PRESIDENT V/S VICE PRESIDENT

Feature President Vice President
Electoral College Elected MPs + MLAs Only elected & nominated MPs
Voting System Proportional Representation Proportional Representation
Voting Method Secret Ballot Secret Ballot
Acts as... Head of State Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Back-up Role None Acts as President in certain cases