RRB Group D GK GS Vice President (उपराष्ट्रपति) By Akshay Sir

The Vice President of India is a crucial constitutional position, outlined in Part V of the Indian Constitution, beginning with Article 63. This role is the second-highest constitutional office in the nation and draws inspiration from the American Constitution. The Vice President performs significant duties, notably as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and as Acting President during presidential vacancies. It is a crucial topic for RRB Group D and other railway exams.

Also Read: 

• RRB Group D GK GS Directive Principles of State Policy
• RRB Group D GK GS Prime Minister And Council Of Ministers

Constitutional Provisions for the Vice President

The constitutional provisions for the Vice President in India are explained in this section:

1. The Office of the Vice President

Article 63 of the Constitution explicitly states that "There shall be a Vice-President of India." This establishes the Vice President as the second-highest constitutional office in India. The position's structure is influenced by the American constitution.

The Key Functions of the Vice President include:

1. Acting as the ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).

2. Serving as the Acting President when the office of the President becomes vacant due to various circumstances.

2. Eligibility for the Office of Vice President (Article 66(3))

This is an important article. To be eligible for the office of Vice President, a person must fulfill the following criteria:

• Must be a citizen of India.

• Must have completed 35 years of age.

• Must be qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).

• Must not hold any office of profit.

President vs. Vice President Eligibility

The eligibility requirements for President and Vice Precident of India is as under:

3. Nomination and Election Process

The election process for the Vice President is detailed in Article 66.

Original vs. Current Election Method:

The Original Constitution stipulated that the Vice President would be elected by a joint meeting of both houses of Parliament. However, the 11th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1961 altered this. Currently, the Vice President is elected through an electoral college, mirroring the Presidential election process.

Electoral College:

The electoral college for the Vice President's election comprises all members (both elected and nominated) of both houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha). Notably, members of state legislative assemblies (Vidhan Sabhas) do not participate in this election.

Nomination Requirements:

For a candidate's nomination to be valid, it must be supported by:

• 20 proposers (members of the electoral college)

• 20 seconders (members of the electoral college)

Comparative Structure: President vs. Vice President Nomination

Here is a comparative structure of President vs Vice President Nomination:

Security Deposit (Zamanat Rashi):

Candidates are required to deposit a security amount of ₹15,000. This amount is deposited with the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The security deposit is forfeited if the candidate fails to secure 1/6th of the total valid votes cast in the election.

Election Authority and Disputes:

The election is conducted by the Central Election Commission of India (under Article 324). Any disputes concerning the election of the Vice President are exclusively heard and decided by the Supreme Court of India.

Method of Election:

The election adheres to the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, with voting conducted by secret ballot. This method is consistent with that used for the Presidential election.

Vice President Term, Oath, and Salary

Here are the comprehensive details on Vice President’s term, oath and salary:

Term of Office (Tenure)

The Vice President holds office for a term of five years. While the VP chairs the Rajya Sabha, whose members serve a six-year term, the Vice President's term is specifically five years. The incumbent Vice President continues in office until their successor assumes charge, even if their five-year term has concluded. A Vice President is eligible for re-election.

Oath or Affirmation (Article 69)

The Vice President takes an oath of office administered by the President of India or a person appointed by the President. The oath involves bearing true faith and allegiance to the Constitution of India.

Salary and Emoluments

The Vice President does not receive a salary specifically for the role of Vice President. Instead, they draw their salary in their capacity as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The current salary is ₹4,00,000 per month. The salaries for the President and Vice President were last revised in 2018. Additional benefits include a government residence, travel allowances, and other facilities.

Powers and Functions of the Vice President

The Vice President of India is a highly powerful and prestigious position. Their powers and functions are:

1. Chairman of the Rajya Sabha

As the Chairman, the Vice President presides over the meetings of the Rajya Sabha and is responsible for conducting its proceedings. The VP maintains discipline and decorum within the house. While the VP does not vote in the first instance, they can exercise a casting vote in the event of a tie (when votes for and against a motion are equal), which is a decisive vote.

2. Acting President

The Vice President acts as the President under various circumstances:

• Death of the President.

• Resignation of the President.

• Removal of the President through impeachment (Article 61).

• Other situations of inability (e.g., illness, foreign travel).

The Vice President can act as President for a maximum period of six months. This is because the Constitution mandates that an election to fill the President's vacant office must be held within six months of the vacancy occurring. When acting as President, the Vice President is entitled to all the salaries, allowances, and privileges of the President.

Removal of the Vice President

The process for removing the Vice President is outlined in Article 67. While the Constitution does not explicitly state grounds like "violation of the constitution," this is the implied reason.

Initiation of Removal: A resolution for the removal of the Vice President can only be initiated in the Rajya Sabha.

Process:

1. The resolution must be passed in the Rajya Sabha by an effective majority (a majority of all the then members of the house).

2. The resolution must then be agreed to by the Lok Sabha (with a simple majority).

Crucially, unlike other bills, a resolution for the removal of the Vice President (or the President) does not require the President's assent to take effect.

Resignation:

The Vice President submits their resignation letter to the President of India. This demonstrates a reciprocal relationship, as the President resigns to the Vice President, and vice-versa.

Important Facts About Vice Presidents

Here are some notable facts about various Vice Presidents, useful for competitive exams: