EXPLAINED

Radhakrishnan Elected India’s 15th Vice-President: Key Facts and UPSC Analysis

By Team Superb IAS | 🕓 September 10, 2025

The recent Vice-Presidential election has not only shaped India’s political discourse but also offered important lessons for UPSC aspirants, especially regarding constitutional provisions, the functioning of Parliament, and Indian polity.

Syllabus Mapping:

• Preliminary Examination: Current events of national importance, Indian Polity and Governance – Constitution, Political System, Rights Issues.

• Mains GS-II: Parliament and State Legislatures—structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges, and related issues.

The Ongoing Story:

Chandrapuram Ponnusami Radhakrishnan, the NDA candidate, was elected as India’s 15th Vice-President on Tuesday, defeating the Opposition’s B Sudershan Reddy by 152 votes. The outcome surprised many, as the Opposition bloc’s anticipated tally was undercut by cross-voting and invalid votes.

Key Election Statistics:

• Total Electoral College: 788 MPs (245 Rajya Sabha + 543 Lok Sabha, with 7 vacancies reducing the actual electorate to 781)

• Votes Cast: 767 (98.2% turnout)

• Valid Votes: 752

• Radhakrishnan: 452 votes

• Reddy: 300 votes

• Invalid votes: 15 (same as 2022)

This margin was the second narrowest in V-P election history.

Understanding the Office of the Vice-President of India

Constitutional Provisions:

• Article 63: Mandates the post of Vice-President.

• Article 64: Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).

Eligibility 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.

• Must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or any State Government.

Election Process:

• Elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha); State Legislative Assemblies have no role.

• Election is held by secret ballot using a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.

Term and Removal:

• Term: 5 years.

• Removal: By a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha and agreed to by the Lok Sabha. No specific ground is required, but due process must be followed.

Powers and Functions:

• Second-highest constitutional authority after the President.

• Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha: Presides over its sessions, maintains order, and ensures the legislative process runs smoothly.

• Steps in as acting President when the President is unable to discharge duties.

Why Is This Election Newsworthy?

• The election result highlights the complexities of parliamentary numbers, coalition politics, and voting behaviour such as cross-voting.

• Fifteen votes were declared invalid—exactly the same as in the previous election—pointing towards patterns or recurring gaps in voting procedures.

• The office of Vice-President is pivotal for the functioning of the Rajya Sabha, contributing to the stability and balance of the legislative process.

“Do You Know?” Section

• The Vice-President’s office is unique; no other democracy has such a dual constitutional role combining Vice-Presidential duties and parliamentary chairmanship.

• Recent V-Ps have played crucial roles in both political mediation and legislative functioning.

Key Takeaways for UPSC Aspirants

• Link to Syllabus: Reinforces Indian Polity and Governance (Prelims), Parliament functioning, and Indian Constitution (GS-II).

• Current Affairs Angle: Cross-voting, coalition numbers, turnout percentages, and invalid votes often determine high-stakes outcomes.

• Static + Dynamic Integration: Understanding both the legal framework and the practical working of this high constitutional post exemplifies the integrated study required for UPSC.

Model GS-II Answer Scaffold

Q: How is the Vice-President of India elected? Discuss his constitutional powers and the significance of his role as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

A:The Vice-President is elected indirectly by members of both Houses of Parliament, using proportional representation through a single transferable vote. Eligibility includes Indian citizenship, a minimum age of 35 years, and Rajya Sabha membership eligibility. The Vice-President’s main constitutional powers derive from Articles 63 and 64: serving as the second-highest constitutional office, and acting as ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha—responsible for maintaining order, facilitating debates, and ensuring legislative continuity. This dual role contributes significantly to the stability of the Indian parliamentary system.

Stay tuned to Superb IAS for more insights on important political developments and their implications for UPSC!