2025 Indian Vice-Presidential Transition: UPSC Current Affairs Story Arc
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ExploreFor the first time since the 14th Vice-President's election in 2022, a sitting VP has resigned mid-term with 2 years remaining, triggering a rare constitutional vacancy and a legal battle over whether a jailed MP from Baramulla can cast a vote in the resulting election.
Overview
The 2025 Vice-Presidential transition began with the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on health grounds during the Monsoon Session. This unexpected vacancy necessitated an election to fill the post of the second-highest constitutional office and the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominated Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan as their candidate. A significant legal subplot emerged when Engineer Rashid, a jailed Lok Sabha MP, sought and received judicial permission to participate in the electoral college, highlighting the tension between the Representation of the People Act's restrictions on prisoner voting and the constitutional duties of a Member of Parliament.
How This Story Evolved
VP Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns citing health reasons → NDA nominates Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan as the replacement candidate → Court grants permission for a jailed MP to vote in the resulting Vice-Presidential election
- 2025-07-22: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns
More details
UPSC Angle: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns.
Key Facts:
- Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, 2025
- He was 74 years old.
- He cited health reasons.
- He had two years left in his term.
- He was India's 14th Vice-President, elected in August 2022.
- 2025-08-18: Maharashtra Governor Nominated as Vice-Presidential Candidate
More details
UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant
Key Facts:
- Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan is the NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate.
- He is a former MP from Coimbatore and a former Tamil Nadu BJP president.
- 2025-09-06: Court allows jailed J&K MP to vote in Vice-President election
More details
UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant
Key Facts:
- Engineer Rashid
- Lok Sabha MP
- Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir
- September 9
- Vice President election
- Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit
- Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, Engineer Rashid
- Allowed to vote in the September 9 election for the Vice President
Genesis
Trigger
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, 2025, the first day of the Monsoon Session, citing health reasons at age 74.
Why Now
The resignation was immediate and unexpected, as Dhankhar had two years of his five-year mandate remaining, having been elected in August 2022.
Historical Context
Mid-term resignations of Indian Vice-Presidents are rare; most vacancies occur due to the completion of tenure or elevation to the Presidency (e.g., V.V. Giri resigned in 1969 to contest the Presidential election).
Key Turning Points
- [2025-07-21] Resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar
It immediately vacated the office of the VP and the Chairmanship of the Rajya Sabha, necessitating a mid-term poll.
Before: Stable tenure until 2027. After: Immediate constitutional vacancy and requirement for a new election within 6 months (Article 68).
- [2025-08-18] Nomination of C.P. Radhakrishnan
Signals the government's preference for a South Indian face with legislative and gubernatorial experience.
Before: Speculation on candidates. After: NDA's organizational weight shifts toward the Maharashtra Governor's candidacy.
Key Actors and Institutions
| Name | Role | Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Jagdeep Dhankhar | Outgoing 14th Vice-President of India | His resignation on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons, created the constitutional vacancy. |
| C.P. Radhakrishnan | NDA Vice-Presidential Candidate | A former MP from Coimbatore and Maharashtra Governor nominated on August 18, 2025, to succeed Dhankhar. |
| Engineer Rashid | Lok Sabha MP (Baramulla) | A jailed MP who successfully petitioned the court to exercise his voting right in the VP election on September 9. |
| Chander Jit | Additional Sessions Judge | The judicial officer who granted Rashid permission to vote, balancing custodial requirements with parliamentary duties. |
Key Institutions
- Vice-President of India (VP)
- National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
- Election Commission of India (ECI)
- Parliament of India (Sansad)
Key Concepts
VP Electoral College
Consists of members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), including both elected and nominated members, unlike the Presidential electoral college which excludes nominated members and includes State MLAs.
Current Fact: The election to fill Dhankhar's vacancy is scheduled for September 9, 2025, involving this specific college.
Constitutional Resignation (Art 67)
Under Article 67, a Vice-President may resign their office by writing under their hand addressed to the President of India.
Current Fact: Jagdeep Dhankhar formally resigned on July 21, 2025, with two years left in his term.
Section 62(5) of RP Act, 1951
Statutory provision that generally prohibits persons in prison or police custody from voting in any election, though courts can grant specific exemptions or 'custody parole' for constitutional duties.
Current Fact: On September 6, 2025, Judge Chander Jit used judicial discretion to allow MP Engineer Rashid to vote despite being in custody.
What Happens Next
Current Status
As of September 6, 2025, the Delhi court has cleared the way for all eligible electors, including those in custody like Engineer Rashid, to participate in the upcoming September 9 poll.
Likely Next
The election is scheduled for September 9, 2025, followed by the swearing-in of the 15th Vice-President by the President of India.
Wildcards
Potential legal challenges to the 'custody parole' precedent for voting; shifts in opposition unity regarding a joint candidate to contest the NDA nominee.
Why UPSC Cares
Syllabus Topics
- Appointment to various Constitutional posts, powers, functions and responsibilities of various Constitutional Bodies
- Structure, organization and functioning of the Executive and the Judiciary
Essay Angles
- The role of the Vice-President in maintaining legislative decorum
- Rights of the incarcerated: Parliamentary duty vs. criminal custody
Prelims Likely: Yes
Mains Likely: Yes
Trend Signal: rising
Exam Intelligence
Previous Year Question Connections
- Nominated members can vote in VP elections but not Presidential elections. — Directly relevant as the 2025 VP election involves nominated MPs who would have been excluded from a Presidential vote.
- Composition of the VP Electoral College. — The core factual basis for the September 9, 2025, election mechanics.
Prelims Angles
- Vice-Presidential resignation is addressed to the President, not the Speaker (Article 67).
- There is no 'Acting Vice-President'; the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha performs the duties of the Chairman when the office is vacant.
- Section 62(5) of the RP Act 1951 bars prisoners from voting, but this does not automatically disqualify an MP from participating in a VP election if the court permits.
Mains Preparation
Sample Question: Examine the constitutional and legal procedures for filling a mid-term vacancy in the office of the Vice-President of India. In this context, discuss the judicial considerations regarding the voting rights of incarcerated Members of Parliament.
Answer Structure: Intro: Cite Article 67 and 68 regarding VP resignation and vacancy → Body 1: Detail the electoral college (Art 66) and the role of the ECI → Body 2: Analyze Section 62(5) of RP Act 1951 vs. Constitutional obligations of MPs → Critical Analysis: The 'custody parole' precedent established by courts to ensure representation → Conclusion: Importance of the VP office for political continuity.
Essay Topic: The Vice-Presidency: More than a Constitutional Spare Tire.
Textbook Connections
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed. > Chapter 19: Vice President > Vacancy in Office > p. 205
Defines the 5 ways a vacancy occurs, including resignation (Point 2).
Gap: Textbook provides the process but doesn't detail the procedural nuances of a jailed elector's participation, which is a matter of recent judicial interpretation.
Quick Revision
- Jagdeep Dhankhar (14th VP) resigned July 21, 2025, for health reasons.
- VP resignation is always addressed to the President of India (Art 67).
- NDA Candidate: C.P. Radhakrishnan (former Maharashtra Governor and Coimbatore MP).
- VP Electoral College: Includes ALL members of Parliament (Elected + Nominated).
- State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) have NO role in VP elections.
- Section 62(5) of RP Act 1951: Prohibits voting by prisoners (except those under preventive detention).
- Court Permission: Engineer Rashid (Baramulla MP) allowed to vote via custody parole on Sept 9, 2025.
- Article 68: Election to fill a casual vacancy must be held 'as soon as possible'.
Key Takeaway
The 2025 transition underscores that while the VP election process is constitutionally rigid, judicial discretion plays a vital role in ensuring the integrity of the electoral college when electors are in legal custody.
All Events in This Story (3 items)
- 2025-07-22 [Polity & Governance] — Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his post on July 21, 2025, citing health reasons, which was the first day of the Monsoon Session. He had two years left in his term, and his resignation was formally marked by the Union Home Ministry.More details
UPSC Angle: Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns.
Key Facts:
- Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, 2025
- He was 74 years old.
- He cited health reasons.
- He had two years left in his term.
- He was India's 14th Vice-President, elected in August 2022.
- 2025-08-18 [Polity & Governance] — Maharashtra Governor Nominated as Vice-Presidential Candidate
Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan has been named as the National Democratic Alliance's (NDA) candidate for Vice-President. The BJP Parliamentary Board endorsed his nomination in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.More details
UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant
Key Facts:
- Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan is the NDA's Vice-Presidential candidate.
- He is a former MP from Coimbatore and a former Tamil Nadu BJP president.
- 2025-09-06 [Polity & Governance] — Court allows jailed J&K MP to vote in Vice-President election
A Delhi court has granted permission to Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, Engineer Rashid, to vote in the September 9 election for the Vice President. Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit approved Rashid's plea, who was previously granted custody parole to attend the monsoon session of Parliament.More details
UPSC Angle: Not exam-relevant
Key Facts:
- Engineer Rashid
- Lok Sabha MP
- Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir
- September 9
- Vice President election
- Additional Sessions Judge Chander Jit
- Lok Sabha MP from Baramulla, Jammu and Kashmir, Engineer Rashid
- Allowed to vote in the September 9 election for the Vice President
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