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List of Vice Presidents of India (1952 to 2023)

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The Vice-President of India holds the second-highest position of authority in the country, right after the President. According to Article 65 of the Indian Constitution, the Vice-President steps in to make crucial decisions in situations where the President resigns, is removed, passes away, is impeached, or cannot perform their duties.

Additionally, the Vice-President serves as the automatic head of the Rajya Sabha, India’s upper house of Parliament.

To be eligible for this significant role, a candidate must meet certain criteria:

They must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years old.

They should not be in any profitable position under the Union or State governments, or any public or local authority.

List-of-Vice-Presidents-of-India

List of Vice Presidents of India

List of Vice Presidents of India

The following is the list of Vice-Presidents of India from 1950 to 2023:

Vice presidents of India list     Tenure
Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan  13 May 1952 – 12 May 1957
13 May 1957 – 12 May 1962
Zakir Hussain  13 May 1962 – 12 May 1967
V. V. Giri  13 May 1967 – 3 May 1969
Gopal Swarup Pathak  31 August 1969 – 30 August 1974
B. D. Jatti  31 August 1974 – 30 August 1979
Mohammad Hidayatullah  31 August 1979 – 30 August 1984
R. Venkataraman  31 August 1984 – 24 July 1987
Shankar Dayal Sharma  3 September 1987 – 24 July 1992
K. R. Narayanan  21 August 1992 – 24 July 1997
Krishan Kant  21 August 1997 – 27 July 2002
Bhairon Singh Shekhawat  19 August 2002 – 21 July 2007
Mohammad Hamid Ansari  11 August 2007 – 11 August 2012
11 August 2012 – 11 August 2017
Venkaiah Naidu  11 August 2017 – 10 August 2022
Jagdeep Dhankhar 11 August 2022 — Present

Since the establishment of the Constitution, India has seen 13 Vice presidents of India, from the start of the role in 1950 up to 2023. This article provides a detailed lists the Vice-Presidents of India from 1950 to 2023.

Read: List of Presidents & Prime Ministers Around the World

Role of Vice President of India

  • The Vice President of India is the second highest constitutional office in India after President. This position was created to ensure the political continuity of the Indian state. 
     
  • He serves as an ex officio as President of the Rajya Sabha. In this regard, his powers and functions are similar to those of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. Also, he is similar to the  Vice President of the United States, who also serves as President of the Senate, the upper house of the US legislature. When a bill is brought before the Rajya Sabha, the Vice President decides whether it is a finance bill or not. If he believes that a bill submitted in the Rajya Sabha is a bill, he will refer the case to the 
    Speaker of the Lok Sabha for a decision. 
     
  • He acts as the President in the event of a vacancy in the office of President by resignation, impeachment, death, or other cause. 
     
  • He can serve as President for a maximum of six months, during which a new President must be elected. 
    In addition, if the Acting President is unable to perform his or her duties because of absence, illness, or any other reason, the Vice-President shall discharge his or her duties until the President resumes his or her duties. While serving as President or performing the duties of President, the Vice President does not perform the duties of the office of President of the Rajya Sabha. During this time these duties are performed by the Vice President of the Rajya Sabha.

Read: List of Vice Presidents of the United States

Current Vice President of India – Vice presidents of India list

Jagdeep Dhankhar is the current Vice President of India who was born 18 May 1951 in Kithana, a small village in the Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. Previously He served as the Governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022. The following is the brief biography of our current Vice president of India now:

  • Early Life and Education:
  • Born on 18 May 1951 in Kithana, Rajasthan.
  • Completed school education at Sainik School, Chittorgarh.
  • Graduated in B.Sc and LLB from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur.
  • Law Career:
  • Enrolled as an Advocate in 1979.
  • Designated as Senior Advocate by the High Court of Judicature for Rajasthan in 1990.
  • Practiced primarily in constitutional law.
  • President of Rajasthan High Court Bar Association, Jaipur.
  • Political Career:
  • Member of Lok Sabha (1989-1991) and Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (1993-1998).
  • Affiliated with Janata Dal, Indian National Congress, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
  • Joined BJP in 2003.
  • Headed BJP’s law and legal affairs department in 2016.
  • Governor of West Bengal (2019-2022):
  • Appointed as Governor on 20 July 2019.
  • Faced frequent confrontations with the West Bengal government.
  • Vocal critic of the Third Banerjee ministry.
  • Resigned as Governor on 17 July 2022.
  • Vice Presidency (2022–present):
  • Nominated as NDA’s candidate for Vice President in 2022.
  • Contested against Margaret Alva and won with 74.37% votes.
  • Took oath as the 14th Vice President of India on 6 August 2022.

Vice president of India Jagdeep Dhankhar – Vice president of India 2023

As of 2023, Jagdeep Dhankhar serves as the Vice President of India, having assumed office in August 2022. He is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Dhankhar, with his extensive experience in Indian politics, plays a vital role in the legislative process and upholds democratic values in his tenure. His term as Vice President is set to continue until 2027. For the latest information, it’s recommended to consult official sources.

Read: List of President of India

How many vice presidents became president of India?

Three Vice Presidents of India have gone on to become the President of the country. This unique transition from Vice President to President showcases the dynamic nature of Indian politics and the versatility of its leaders.

  1. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan: He served as the first Vice President of India from 1952 to 1962 and later became the President from 1962 to 1967. Radhakrishnan was a respected scholar and philosopher, widely admired for his intellect.
  2. Zakir Husain: Husain was the Vice President from 1962 until 1967, after which he was elected as the President of India, serving from 1967 until his untimely death in 1969. He was known for his dedication to education and his role in the freedom struggle.
  3. V. V. Giri: Giri served as the Vice President from 1967 to 1969. Following the death of President Zakir Husain, he was appointed as the acting President and was later elected as the President, serving from 1969 to 1974.

These leaders not only served as Vice Presidents but also left their mark as Presidents of India, contributing significantly to the nation’s development and democracy. Their journeys from Vice Presidents to Presidents are a testament to their leadership qualities and commitment to the country.

How Vice Presidents of India Elected

The Vice President of India is elected by an electoral college, which consists of the members of both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) and the members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and Union Territories. Minimum Eligibility and Selection Process include the following:

Minimum Eligibility os Vice Presidents of India –

  • Citizenship: The candidate must be a citizen of India.
  • Age: The candidate must be at least 35 years old.
  • Qualifications: The candidate must be eligible for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
  • Disqualifications: The candidate should not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or any State Government or any local authority or any other public authority.
  • Not a Member of Parliament or Legislature: The candidate should not be a member of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) or the Rajya Sabha (Council of States) or any Legislative Assembly or Legislative Council of a State or Union Territory.

Election Process of Vice president of India

The following is the election process of vice presidents of Indai:

Nomination:

  • Candidates nominated by members of the electoral college.
  • Must meet eligibility criteria: Indian citizenship, at least 35 years old, and eligible for Lok Sabha membership.

Scrutiny of Nominations:

  • Election Commission verifies candidate eligibility.
  • Ensures candidates are not holding an office of profit.

Withdrawal of Nominations:

  • Candidates can withdraw nominations before a specified deadline.

Election Campaign:

  • Limited campaigning by candidates to convey their vision.

Voting:

  • Electoral college members cast votes with weighted values.
  • Votes represent both houses of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.

Counting of Votes:

  • Votes are counted, and the candidate with the highest value wins.
  • Declaration of Results:
  • Election Commission officially declares results.
  • Winning candidate is sworn in as the President of India.

Electoral College:

  • Comprises elected members of Parliament and Legislative Assemblies.

Indirect Election:

  • People vote for representatives; the President is indirectly elected.

Read: List of Presidents of the United States of America

Important Questions Based on the Vice President of India

Who is the current Vice President of India as of 2023?

a) M. Venkaiah Naidu

b) Jagdeep Dhankhar

c) Hamid Ansari

d) Bhairon Singh Shekhawat

Answer: b) Jagdeep Dhankhar

Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the election of the Vice-President mentioned?

a) Article 63

b) Article 66

c) Article 75

d) Article 60

Answer: b) Article 66

Who was the first Vice President of India?

a) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

b) Zakir Husain

c) V.V. Giri

d) B.D. Jatti

Answer: a) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan

The Vice President of India is also the ex-officio chairman of which house?

a) Lok Sabha

b) Rajya Sabha

c) Vidhan Sabha

d) None of the above

Answer: b) Rajya Sabha

Which Vice President of India later became the President?

a) Krishan Kant

b) V.V. Giri

c) M. Hidayatullah

d) R. Venkataraman

Answer: b) V.V. Giri

What is the minimum age required to be eligible for the post of Vice-President in India?

a) 25 years

b) 30 years

c) 35 years

d) 40 years

Answer: c) 35 years

How is the Vice President of India elected?

a) Direct election by people

b) Indirect election by an Electoral College

c) Nomination by the President

d) Selection by Parliament members

Answer: b) Indirect election by an Electoral College

Which of the following is NOT a qualification for becoming the Vice-President of India?

a) Must be a citizen of India

b) Must hold an office of profit

c) Must have completed the age of 35 years

d) Must be qualified to become a member of the Rajya Sabha

Answer: b) Must hold an office of profit

For how long does the Vice President of India hold office?

a) 4 years

b) 5 years

c) 6 years

d) During the pleasure of the President

Answer: b) 5 years

Who among the following was the Vice President of India and later became the President?

a) Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan

b) Zakir Husain

c) Both a and b

d) None of the above

Answer: c) Both a and b

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Vice President of India Now – FAQs

Who was the first Vice-President of India?

Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the first Vice-President of India. He served as Vice-President from 1952 to 1962. After his term as Vice-President, he went on to become the second President of India.

Who is the first woman Vice-President of India?

India has not had a woman Vice-President. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of Parliament and members of the Legislative Assemblies of States and Union Territories.

What is the full name of Vice-President of India?

The full name of our Vice-President is Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar.

Who is the current Vice President of India in 2023?

As of my last update in April 2023, the current Vice President of India is Jagdeep Dhankhar, who assumed office in August 2022. However, please verify from a current source as this information may have changed.

Can you provide a list of all the Vice Presidents of India from 1952 to 2022?

Yes, the Vice Presidents of India from 1952 to 2022 include Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Zakir Husain, V. V. Giri, Gopal Swarup Pathak, B. D. Jatti, Mohammad Hidayatullah, R. Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma, K. R. Narayanan, Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, Mohammad Hamid Ansari, M. Venkaiah Naidu, and Jagdeep Dhankhar.

How is the Vice President of India elected?

The Vice President of India is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both houses of Parliament, following a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

What are the roles and responsibilities of the Vice President of India?

The Vice President of India acts as the Rajya Sabha’s chairman and steps in as acting President if the President is unable to fulfill their duties. The Vice President also plays a key role in legislative functions and diplomatic engagements.

Who was the first Vice President of India, and what was their contribution?

The first Vice President of India was Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who served from 1952 to 1962. He was a distinguished scholar and played a pivotal role in shaping India’s educational and cultural landscape.

How many Vice Presidents of India have become the President?

Three Vice Presidents have become the President of India: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Zakir Husain, and V. V. Giri.

What is the tenure and eligibility criteria for the Vice President of India?

The tenure of the Vice President is five years. Eligibility criteria include being a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, and qualified to become a member of the Rajya Sabha.

Can you provide a PDF list of Vice Presidents of India with photos?

Such a list can be compiled from official government websites or reputable educational resources that include photographs and biographical details.

Who was the Vice President of India in a specific year (e.g., 2022, 2021)?

In 2022, the Vice President was Jagdeep Dhankhar. In 2021, it was M. Venkaiah Naidu.

What significant decisions or actions have been taken by past Vice Presidents of India?

Past Vice Presidents have made significant contributions in various fields, including education, law, and politics. For instance, Dr. Radhakrishnan was instrumental in promoting Indian philosophy globally, while M. Venkaiah Naidu focused on rural development and urban planning initiatives.



Last Updated : 02 Feb, 2024
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