Following Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation as Vice President, India is gearing up for an urgent election to appoint his successor, as mandated by the Constitution. Article 68, Clause 2, requires the poll to fill the vacancy “as soon as possible,” with the new vice president serving a full five-year term from the date they assume office.

The Constitution does not specify who handles the vice president’s duties during a vacancy, except for the role of Rajya Sabha chairperson, which falls to the deputy chairperson or another member appointed by the President. Dhankhar, who resigned Monday citing health reasons, served as the ex-officio Rajya Sabha chairperson, a role he vacated effective immediately upon the President’s acceptance of his resignation.

The vice president, India’s second-highest constitutional office, is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of both Houses of Parliament, using proportional representation via a single transferable vote. Candidates must be Indian citizens, over 35, and eligible for Rajya Sabha membership, while not holding any office of profit under central, state, or local governments.

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With no interim provisions outlined, the government faces pressure to swiftly organize the election to ensure continuity in this critical role.

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