The Vice-President of India is the second-highest ranking government official in the executive branch of the Government of India

Government of India

The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...

, after the President

President of India

The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...

. The Vice-President also has the legislative function of acting as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means "state," and Sabha means "assembly hall" in Sanskrit. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature,...

.

The current Vice-President of India is Hamid Ansari, who was elected on 10 August 2007.

Article 63 of the Constitution of India

Constitution of India

The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It lays down the framework defining fundamental political principles, establishes the structure, procedures, powers, and duties of government institutions, and sets out fundamental rights, directive principles, and the duties of citizens...

 provides for a Vice-President: "There shall be a Vice-President of India". While the Indian Vice-President could be elected for any number of terms, the Constitution requires that the Vice-President must be a citizen of India.

Powers and duties

The Vice-President acts as President in the event of death, resignation, or removal of the President until a new President is chosen by the electoral college for maximum 6 months. During this period, the Vice President shall not perform the duties of the office of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

He is also the ex-officio chairman of Rajya Sabha. All bills, resolution, motion can be taken in Rajya Sabha after his consent. However since he is not a member of Rajya Sabha, he has no right to vote.

The Vice President is the second highest dignitary of India, next to the President of India.

Qualifications

• Citizen of India.
• More than 35 yrs of age.
• Possess the qualification for membership of Rajya Sabha.
• Not hold any office of profit under union, state or local authority.

Election

The vice-president is elected by electoral college in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote and the vote being secret. Nominated members can also participate in his election.

Term

The Vice-President holds office for five years. He/she can be re-elected any number of times.

However the term will be cut short if the Vice-President resigns, dies, or is impeached.

Salary and pension

The present salary is Rs.1,25,000 per month only under capacity of ex-officio chairman of Rajya Sabha. However when the president post becomes vacant, he is entitled for the salary and privileges of the President of India. But during this period, he shall not be entitled to receive the salary of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

The pension is 50% of the salary.

Emoluments:
The Constitution has not fixed any emoluments for the vice president in that capacity. He draws his regular salary in his capacity as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Removal

The Constitution of India provides the mechanism for the removal of the Vice-President (Article 67(b)) by a resolution passed by an absolute majority in Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha or Council of States is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Rajya means "state," and Sabha means "assembly hall" in Sanskrit. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature,...

 and agreed to by a simple majority of Lok Sabha

Lok Sabha

The Lok Sabha or House of the People is the lower house of the Parliament of India. Members of the Lok Sabha are elected by direct election under universal adult suffrage. As of 2009, there have been fifteen Lok Sabhas elected by the people of India...

. This can be initiated in the Rajya Sabha only.

See also

• List of Vice-Presidents of India
• Government of India
  Government of India
  The Government of India, officially known as the Union Government, and also known as the Central Government, was established by the Constitution of India, and is the governing authority of the union of 28 states and seven union territories, collectively called the Republic of India...
  
  
• President of India
  President of India
  The President of India is the head of state and first citizen of India, as well as the Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces. President of India is also the formal head of all the three branches of Indian Democracy - Legislature, Executive and Judiciary...
  
  
• Prime Minister of India
  Prime Minister of India
  The Prime Minister of India , as addressed to in the Constitution of India — Prime Minister for the Union, is the chief of government, head of the Council of Ministers and the leader of the majority party in parliament...
  
  

External links

• Official website of the Vice President of India. Website accessed on 10 October 2008.