The Vice President of India-UPSC Notes
Vice President of India
Article 63 of the Indian Constitution provides that there shall be a Vice-President of India. The Vice President of India is the second highest Constitutional Post after the President. The position of the Indian Vice-President is modelled on the American Vice-President as s/he performs the dual role of Vice-President and the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha.
Qualifications of Vice President of India
The eligibility to stand for the election of the Vice-President is the following:
- S/he should be a citizen of India;
- S/he should have completed 35 years of age;
- S/he should be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha.
- Further, 20 electors must support his/her candidacy as proposers, and 20 electors must back as seconders.
- Every candidate must deposit ₹15000 in the Reserve Bank of India.
Conditions of Office
- S/he should not hold any office of Profit under any public authority. The sitting President, Vice-President, or Governor of any state or minister of the Union and states is not considered to hold any office of Profit and hence eligible for the election.
- S/he must not be a member of either house of the Parliament or any state legislature. If such a member is elected as the Vice-President, s/he is deemed to have vacated his/her seat on the date of entering his/her office.
Oath of Vice President
Article 69 provides for the oath or affirmation of the Vice-President of India. The President of India administers the oath of office and secrecy.
Vice President Election
The Vice-President is elected through an indirect election by an electoral college comprised of both elected and nominated members of the Parliament.
