by As of September 2025, the Vice President of India is C. P. Radhakrishnan, a veteran politician and former Governor, who was elected after the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar.
The Vice President of India holds the second-highest constitutional position after the President. Created under Article 63 of the Indian Constitution, the office ensures stability, parliamentary order, and continuity in governance. The Vice President’s primary role is to act as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, where he or she oversees debates, resolves disputes, and ensures smooth functioning of the Upper House.
Current Vice President of India C. P. Radhakrishnan
On 9 September 2025, C. P. Radhakrishnan was elected as the 15th Vice President of India. He defeated opposition nominee B. Sudershan Reddy with a comfortable margin of 152 votes in the Vice Presidential election.
- Total votes polled: 767
- Votes secured by Radhakrishnan: 452
- Votes secured by opposition candidate: 300
- Invalid votes: 15
- Turnout: 98.2% (one of the highest ever in such elections)
His election was necessitated after Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned in July 2025, citing health reasons. This made it one of the rare early Vice Presidential elections under Article 68 of the Indian Constitution.
Historical Background of the Vice Presidency
- The position was officially created with the adoption of the Constitution in 1950.
- The first election for Vice President was held in 1952, in which Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, a renowned philosopher and statesman, was elected unanimously.
- Since then, the office has been held by 15 individuals, some of whom later went on to become Presidents of India.
- The office has often been described as one of prestige and responsibility rather than power, given its neutral and parliamentary role.
Election Process of the Vice President of India
The Vice President of India is elected under Article 66 of the Indian Constitution. The process includes:
- Electoral College: Members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha), including nominated members.
- Voting Method: Proportional representation using the single transferable vote system.
- Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Minimum age of 35 years.
- Must be qualified to become a member of the Rajya Sabha.
- Cannot hold any office of profit under the government.
List of Vice-Presidents of India (1952-2025)
Here is the list of List of Vice-Presidents of India (1952–2025) along with their term of office and key facts.
| No. | Vice President of India | Term of Office | Key Facts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan | 1952 – 1962 | First Vice President of India; noted philosopher and scholar. |
| 2 | Dr. Zakir Husain | 1962 – 1967 | First Muslim to become Vice President; later became President. |
| 3 | V. V. Giri | 1967 – 1969 | Resigned midway to contest Presidential elections. |
| 4 | Gopal Swarup Pathak | 1969 – 1974 | First Vice President not to become President. |
| 5 | B. D. Jatti | 1974 – 1979 | Served as Acting President after Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed’s death (1977). |
| 6 | Mohammad Hidayatullah | 1979 – 1984 | Former Chief Justice of India; also served as Acting President. |
| 7 | R. Venkataraman | 1984 – 1987 | Veteran freedom fighter and senior Congress leader. |
| 8 | Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma | 1987 – 1992 | Former Governor of multiple states; known for parliamentary discipline. |
| 9 | K. R. Narayanan | 1992 – 1997 | First Dalit to hold the Vice Presidency; later became President. |
| 10 | Krishan Kant | 1997 – 2002 | Passed away in office just before completing his term. |
| 11 | Bhairon Singh Shekhawat | 2002 – 2007 | Senior BJP leader; three-time Chief Minister of Rajasthan. |
| 12 | Mohammad Hamid Ansari | 2007 – 2017 | Only Vice President to serve two consecutive terms (10 years). |
| 13 | M. Venkaiah Naidu | 2017 – 2022 | Known for witty parliamentary remarks; focused on discipline in Rajya Sabha. |
| 14 | Jagdeep Dhankhar | 2022 – July 2025 | Former Governor of West Bengal; resigned mid-term due to health issues. |
| 15 | C. P. Radhakrishnan | Sept 2025 – Present | First Vice President from Tamil Nadu; elected after Dhankhar’s resignation. |
Vice Presidents of India Who Became Presidents
Over the years, several Vice Presidents of India have gone on to occupy the nation’s highest constitutional office. Starting with Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, many Vice Presidents such as Dr. Zakir Husain, V. V. Giri, R. Venkataraman, Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, and K. R. Narayanan later became Presidents of India.
- Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1952–62 → President, 1962–67)
- Dr. Zakir Husain (1962–67 → President, 1967–69)
- V. V. Giri (1967–69 → President, 1969–74)
- R. Venkataraman (1984–87 → President, 1987–92)
- Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma (1987–92 → President, 1992–97)
- K. R. Narayanan (1992–97 → President, 1997–2002)
Role and Responsibilities of the Vice President of India
The Vice President’s duties are more constitutional and procedural than executive. The key responsibilities include:
- Chairperson of Rajya Sabha
- Regulates debates and proceedings in the Upper House.
- Ensures discipline, order, and impartial decision-making.
- Plays a crucial role in maintaining parliamentary traditions.
- Acting President of India
- Steps in when the President’s office falls vacant due to resignation, death, removal, or incapacity.
- Performs all duties of the President until a new election is held.
- Bridge Between Legislature and Executive
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- Though the Vice President has no direct executive powers, his role ensures constitutional balance.
- Provides non-partisan leadership, especially in times of political tension.
Why the Office of Vice President is Important
The Vice President of India plays a crucial role in ensuring legislative stability and constitutional continuity. Though often seen as a ceremonial position, the office is vital for maintaining the balance of power in Parliament and stepping in during a presidential vacancy.
- Parliamentary Leadership – Acts as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, ensuring smooth debates and fair conduct.
- Continuity of Governance – Serves as Acting President during a vacancy in the Presidency, avoiding any constitutional crisis.
- Neutral Arbiter – Maintains impartiality in the Rajya Sabha, especially during crucial votes and discussions.
- Constitutional Safeguard – Strengthens democratic functioning by upholding parliamentary rules and procedures.
- Political Stability – Provides a clear line of succession in case of unforeseen circumstances affecting the President.
FAQs on List of Vice-Presidents of India
Q1. Who is the current Vice President of India (2025)?
Ans: C. P. Radhakrishnan is the current Vice President of India, elected on 9 September 2025.
Q2. Who was the first Vice President of India?
Ans: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1952–1962).
Q3. How long is the Vice President’s term?
Ans: The term is five years, but the Vice President continues until a successor assumes office.
Q4. Can a Vice President be re-elected?
Ans: Yes, the Constitution allows re-election. Mohammad Hamid Ansari is the only Vice President to have served two terms (2007–2017).
Q5. How many Vice Presidents have become Presidents of India?
Ans: Six Vice Presidents later became Presidents.
