1) Why in the news, and what the Vice President actually does

When India elects a new Vice President (VP), focus turns to an office that is usually quiet but constitutionally powerful. The VP is the second-highest office in India and, on taking oath, becomes the ex officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). If the President’s office falls vacant or the President cannot function, the VP acts as President until the situation is resolved.

Key points

• VP = Chairperson of Rajya Sabha: conducts the House, maintains order, and interprets rules.

• Casting vote: in case of a tie in the Rajya Sabha, the Chair has a casting vote.

• Acting President: prevents any constitutional vacuum during a vacancy or incapacity in the President’s office.

2) How the Vice President is chosen (who votes and what rules apply)

The VP is elected by an electoral college of all Members of Parliament—from both Houses, elected and nominated. The method is Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote (PR–STV) with a secret ballot. This lets MPs rank candidates (1, 2, 3…) and vote more independently.

What to remember

• Voters: All MPs of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, including nominated members.

• Method: PR–STV, secret ballot (party whip does not apply as in ordinary House voting).

• Eligibility: Citizen of India, 35 years or above, qualified to be a Rajya Sabha member, and not holding an office of profit.

• Oath: Administered by the President (or a person appointed by the President).

• Removal: By a Rajya Sabha resolution passed by majority of the total membership of that House, agreed to by the Lok Sabha (with 14 days’ notice).

3) Powers and functions in simple words

As Rajya Sabha Chair, the VP ensures the Upper House runs smoothly and fairly—this shapes debate quality and the movement of bills. As acting President (whenever required), the VP guarantees continuity at the top.

Easy examples

• Tie on a motion: If votes are 120–120, the Chair’s casting vote decides the outcome.

• Order and discipline: The Chair rules on points of order, interprets procedural rules, allocates speaking time, and can name or discipline persistently disorderly members.

• Acting President: If the President’s office suddenly becomes vacant, the VP steps in so there is no gap in the functioning of the Head of State.

• Tenth Schedule (anti-defection): As Rajya Sabha Chair, the VP decides disqualification petitions relating to Upper House members.

4) Patterns from history (who became President, and who did not)

Many VPs later became Presidents, but not all. Some served full terms as VP without moving to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Useful facts

• Became President later: Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, Zakir Husain, V. V. Giri, K. R. Narayanan, Shankar Dayal Sharma.

• First VP who did not become President: Gopal Swarup Pathak (1969–74).

• Two full VP terms (10 years): S. Radhakrishnan (1952–62) and M. Hamid Ansari (2007–17).

• Unique background: Mohammad Hidayatullah had been Chief Justice of India earlier; later he became VP and also served as Acting President.

5) Why the VP matters today, and the debate around the office

Some view the VP’s role as largely ceremonial. In practice, the office influences legislative quality, federal balance, and stability at the top. There is an ongoing debate on neutrality and scope of the Chair’s powers.

Significance (why it matters)

• Legislative quality: Fair time to government and opposition, clear rulings, and steady scheduling improve debates and bills.

• Stability in crises: The acting-President function avoids constitutional gaps.

• Federal harmony: The Rajya Sabha represents the States; an impartial Chair builds trust across parties and regions.

Debate (what people discuss)

• Neutrality vs partisanship: The Chair must be seen as fair—on admitting debates, time allocation, and use of disciplinary powers.

• Frequent disruptions: How firm should the Chair be to keep order without stifling dissent?

• Speed vs scrutiny: Should more bills go to department-related committees for detailed study, or be fast-tracked?

• Anti-defection decisions: Timely, reasoned orders under the Tenth Schedule build credibility.

Simple reform ideas

• Publish reasoned speaking orders on key rulings.

• Hold regular all-party meetings to set business and reduce surprises.

• Archive and index important procedural rulings for future guidance.

• Make time-bound disposal of disqualification petitions the norm.

6) Exam toolkit (facts to quote, mains and prelims, plus a quick quiz)

Five quick facts to memorise

1. VP is ex officio Chairperson of Rajya Sabha and has a casting vote on a tie.

2. Electoral college: All MPs of both Houses, including nominated members.

3. Method: PR–STV, secret ballot.

4. Eligibility: 35+, qualified for Rajya Sabha, no office of profit.

5. Removal: Starts in Rajya Sabha, must be agreed to by Lok Sabha.

Mains Practice (150–250 words)
“The Vice President’s office is a quiet cornerstone of India’s parliamentary system.” Explain with reference to (i) the election process and safeguards, and (ii) the VP’s dual role as Rajya Sabha Chair and Acting President. Suggest measures to strengthen neutrality and effectiveness.
Hints to use: electoral college of all MPs; PR–STV; secret ballot; Chair’s powers on procedure, time allocation, and casting vote; acting-President role for continuity; reforms—reasoned rulings, committee scrutiny, all-party coordination, and time-bound anti-defection rulings.

Prelims Practice (MCQ)
Consider the following statements about the Vice President of India:

1. Nominated MPs do not vote in the Vice-Presidential election.

2. The Vice President must be eligible to be elected to the Rajya Sabha.

3. The Vice President has a casting vote in the Rajya Sabha.

4. Removal of the Vice President is only by the Lok Sabha.
   Which statements are correct?
   A. 2 and 3 only
   B. 1 and 4 only
   C. 1, 2 and 3 only
   D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Answer: A (2 and 3 only).
Why: (1) Incorrect—nominated MPs do vote for VP; (2) Correct; (3) Correct; (4) Incorrect—removal starts in Rajya Sabha and must be agreed to by Lok Sabha.

Quick Quiz on past Vice Presidents (with answers)

• Which VP also served as Chief Justice of India? — Mohammad Hidayatullah

• Which VP became President after earlier serving as a Chief Minister (name the State)? — Shankar Dayal Sharma, Bhopal State

• Apart from S. Radhakrishnan, who served two full VP terms (10 years)? — M. Hamid Ansari

• Who was the first person from a Dalit community to become VP and later President (elected VP in 1992)? — K. R. Narayanan

• Who was the first VP not to be elected President of India? — Gopal Swarup Pathak

One-line wrap
The Vice President may appear distant from day-to-day politics, but through fair chairing of the Rajya Sabha and the acting-President role, the office quietly protects debate quality, federal balance, and constitutional stability.