Vice President of India Resigns Mid-Term

Source: LM

Context: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned, citing health reasons, invoking Article 67(a) of the Constitution. He submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, ending his term prematurely.

About Vice President of India Resigns Mid-Term:

• What is the Resignation of Vice President?

• The Vice President can voluntarily resign by submitting a written letter to the President, as per Article 67(a). Dhankhar, aged 74, stepped down before completing his 5-year term (2022–2027), stating the need to prioritise health.

• The Vice President can voluntarily resign by submitting a written letter to the President, as per Article 67(a).

• Dhankhar, aged 74, stepped down before completing his 5-year term (2022–2027), stating the need to prioritise health.

• Constitutional Basis for Resignation:

• Article 67(a): Allows the Vice President to resign by writing under his hand to the President. No minimum time is prescribed; resignation becomes effective immediately upon acceptance.

• Allows the Vice President to resign by writing under his hand to the President.

• No minimum time is prescribed; resignation becomes effective immediately upon acceptance.

• Related Provisions: Article 63: Mandates the office of Vice President. Article 64: Vice President serves as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Article 65: Acts as President during a casual vacancy or absence. Article 68: Deals with vacancies and the need for timely elections if the office falls vacant.

• Article 63: Mandates the office of Vice President.

• Article 64: Vice President serves as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

• Article 65: Acts as President during a casual vacancy or absence.

• Article 68: Deals with vacancies and the need for timely elections if the office falls vacant.

• Historical Instances of Mid-Term Resignation:

• V.V. Giri (1969): Resigned to contest the Presidential election. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (2007): Resigned after losing the Presidential race. Jagdeep Dhankhar (2025): Resigned for health reasons after chairing the Monsoon Session.

• V.V. Giri (1969): Resigned to contest the Presidential election.

• Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (2007): Resigned after losing the Presidential race.

• Jagdeep Dhankhar (2025): Resigned for health reasons after chairing the Monsoon Session.

• Process of Resignation and Vacancy:

• Mode of Resignation: Must be addressed in writing to the President of India. Becomes valid once submitted; no formal acceptance process needed. Filling the Vacancy: Constitutionally, no timeline is fixed for Vice President elections (unlike the six-month rule for President). The Election Commission conducts the election by proportional representation among MPs.

• Mode of Resignation: Must be addressed in writing to the President of India. Becomes valid once submitted; no formal acceptance process needed.

• Must be addressed in writing to the President of India.

• Becomes valid once submitted; no formal acceptance process needed.

• Filling the Vacancy: Constitutionally, no timeline is fixed for Vice President elections (unlike the six-month rule for President). The Election Commission conducts the election by proportional representation among MPs.

• Constitutionally, no timeline is fixed for Vice President elections (unlike the six-month rule for President).

• The Election Commission conducts the election by proportional representation among MPs.

• Term & Re-election Eligibility:

• Tenure is five years, but the Vice President may: Resign at any time. Continue until successor assumes office. Be re-elected for unlimited terms.

• Resign at any time.

• Continue until successor assumes office.

• Be re-elected for unlimited terms.