India’s VP Gets No Salary, Only Lavish Perks
Vice President’s pay tied to Rajya Sabha chair role.
As India gears up for the vice-presidential election on September 9, a lesser-known fact about the nation’s second-highest constitutional office has come to light: the Vice President of India receives no regular salary for the role itself. Instead, their remuneration is tied to their position as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, sparking curiosity about the unique financial structure of this prestigious post.
The election, pitting NDA’s C P Radhakrishnan against opposition candidate B Sudershan Reddy, follows the unexpected resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar on July 21. Under the Salaries and Allowances of Officers of Parliament Act, 1953, the Vice President draws a monthly salary of Rs 4 lakh as Rajya Sabha Chairman, with no separate compensation designated for the vice-presidential role. “The Vice President’s pay and benefits are aligned with their parliamentary duties,” officials clarified.
When acting as caretaker President, the Vice President temporarily relinquishes the Rajya Sabha chairmanship and receives the President’s salary, which stands at Rs 5 lakh per month. Beyond this, the office comes with an array of perks, including free accommodation in a luxurious bungalow, comprehensive medical care, unlimited train and air travel, landline and mobile phone services, personal security, and a dedicated staff. These benefits ensure a comfortable tenure, despite the absence of a standalone salary.
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Former Vice Presidents enjoy a pension of approximately Rs 2 lakh per month, along with a Type-8 bungalow, a personal secretary, an additional personal secretary, a personal assistant, a physician, a nursing officer, and four personal attendants. In the event of a former Vice President’s death, their spouse is entitled to a smaller Type-7 residence for life. Dhankhar, who recently applied for a Rs 42,000 monthly pension as a former Rajasthan legislator (1993–1998), had his pension discontinued in 2019 upon becoming West Bengal’s governor, highlighting the complex pension rules for constitutional officeholders.
The vice-presidential role, while ceremonial in many respects, carries significant responsibilities, including presiding over Rajya Sabha sessions and stepping in as acting President when needed. The lack of a dedicated salary underscores the office’s unique position, blending parliamentary duties with constitutional prestige, while its generous perks reflect the stature of the role in India’s governance framework.
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