Vice-President of India

The Vice-President occupies the second highest office in the country (after the President). The office is modeled on the lines of the American Vice-President.

Election (Article 66): He is elected by the method of indirect election by an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament. Thus, this electoral college is different from the Electoral College for the election of the President in two respects:

1. It consists of BOTH elected and nominated members of the Parliament (in President's election, only elected members participate).
2. It DOES NOT include the members of the state legislative assemblies (in President's election, elected MLAs participate).

Qualifications: Must be a citizen of India, have completed 35 years of age, be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha, and must not hold any office of profit.

Term (Article 67): Holds office for a term of 5 years. He can resign by addressing the resignation letter to the President.

Removal: A formal impeachment is not required for his removal. He can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by an absolute majority (majority of the total members of the House) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha. A 14 days' advance notice must be given.

1. Ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 64): In this capacity, his powers and functions are similar to those of the Speaker of Lok Sabha. In this respect, he resembles the American vice-president, who also acts as the Chairman of the Senate.
2. Acting President (Article 65): He acts as President when a vacancy occurs in the office of the President due to his resignation, removal, death or otherwise. He can act as President only for a maximum period of six months within which a new President has to be elected. While acting as President, he does not perform the duties of the office of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.