Basic Constitutional Context
- Date of Resignation: July 22, 2025
- Reason: Health concerns
- Constitutional Provision Used: Article 67(a) – resignation by writing addressed to the President
- Remaining Term: Approximately 2 years (elected in August 2022)
Relevance : GS 2(Polity and Constitution )
Constitutional Role and Powers of the Vice-President
- Article 63: There shall be a Vice-President of India
- Article 64: Vice-President acts as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha
- Presiding Functions: Maintains order, decides points of order, allows interventions, and refers bills to committees
- Tie-Breaking Role: Has a casting vote in case of tie in Rajya Sabha
- No executive powers, unlike the President
Election, Term, and Resignation Provisions
- Article 66: Elected by members of both Houses of Parliament through single transferable vote, secret ballot
- Term: 5 years (but eligible for re-election)
- Article 67(a): Resignation addressed to the President
- Article 68(1): Election to fill vacancy must be held within 6 months
- Newly elected VP gets full 5-year term, not remainder
Implications for Rajya Sabha Functioning
- Temporary vacuum in presiding leadership of Rajya Sabha
- Deputy Chairman (under Article 90) or senior member may preside during this interim
- Impacts proceedings, especially during contentious debates or legislative deadlocks
- Vice-President plays a crucial role in managing disruptions, procedural motions, and parliamentary etiquette
