✅ Vice President of India: Complete List, Roles, and Historical Insights (1952–2025)

The Vice President of India is the second-highest constitutional office in the country, following the President. Instituted under Article 63 of the Indian Constitution, the role of the Vice President is crucial in maintaining the democratic structure of India. The office combines responsibilities of the executive and the legislative branches, acting as the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha (Upper House) and stepping in as the acting President of India during contingencies.

This article provides a comprehensive list of all Vice Presidents of India from 1952 to 2025, along with their tenure, background, and key contributions.

 

vice president of india list

📚 Constitutional Role of the Vice President of India

Before delving into the list, it’s important to understand the constitutional and ceremonial roles of the Vice President.

✅ Key Responsibilities:

• Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).
• Acts as President in the absence or removal of the President.
• Elected through an electoral college comprising members of both Houses of Parliament.
• Serves a 5-year term, but is eligible for re-election.

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🏛️ List of Vice Presidents of India (1952–2025)

Below is the chronological list of India’s Vice Presidents, along with relevant details.

#	Name	Term	Political Affiliation	Notable Facts
1	Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan	1952–1962	Independent	Renowned philosopher; later became 2nd President of India.
2	Dr. Zakir Husain	1962–1967	Independent	First Muslim Vice President; later became President.
3	Varahagiri Venkata Giri (V. V. Giri)	1967–1969	Independent	Resigned to become acting President.
4	Gopal Swarup Pathak	1969–1974	Independent	First Vice President not to become President.
5	Basappa Danappa Jatti (B. D. Jatti)	1974–1979	Congress	Served as Acting President after Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed’s death.
6	Mohammad Hidayatullah	1979–1984	Independent	Former Chief Justice of India.
7	R. Venkataraman	1984–1987	Congress	Became 8th President of India.
8	Shankar Dayal Sharma	1987–1992	Congress	Later became the 9th President.
9	K. R. Narayanan	1992–1997	Congress	First Dalit President; highly respected diplomat.
10	Krishan Kant	1997–2002	Janata Dal	Died while in office.
11	Bhairon Singh Shekhawat	2002–2007	BJP	First BJP leader to hold the Vice President’s office.
12	Mohammad Hamid Ansari	2007–2017	Independent	Served two terms; noted diplomat and scholar.
13	M. Venkaiah Naidu	2017–2022	BJP	Veteran parliamentarian and orator.
14	Jagdeep Dhankhar	2022–Present	BJP	Former Governor of West Bengal and senior advocate.

 

🏅 Vice Presidents Who Became Presidents

Several Vice Presidents later ascended to the Presidency of India, showing the prominence of this role in Indian political history:

1. Dr. S. Radhakrishnan (Vice President: 1952–1962 → President: 1962–1967)
2. Dr. Zakir Husain (1962–1967 → 1967–1969)
3. V. V. Giri (1967–1969 → 1969–1974)
4. B. D. Jatti (Acting President: 1977)
5. R. Venkataraman (1984–1987 → 1987–1992)
6. Shankar Dayal Sharma (1987–1992 → 1992–1997)
7. K. R. Narayanan (1992–1997 → 1997–2002)

 

🗳️ Election Process of the Vice President

The Vice President is elected indirectly by an electoral college consisting of:

• All elected and nominated Members of Parliament (MPs) of both Houses – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
• Secret ballot system with a proportional representation system through a single transferable vote (STV).

 

📌 Eligibility Criteria

To contest for Vice President, a candidate must:

• Be a citizen of India
• Have completed 35 years of age
• Be qualified to be elected as a member of the Rajya Sabha
• Not hold any office of profit

 

📝 Interesting Facts about the Vice Presidency

• Mohammad Hamid Ansari is the only Vice President to serve two full terms (2007–2017).
• Krishan Kant is the only Vice President to die in office.
• V. V. Giri is the only Vice President to resign voluntarily to contest presidential elections.
• The office has seen individuals from diverse backgrounds – judges, diplomats, scholars, and politicians.

 

🧠 Roles Beyond the Constitution

Apart from constitutional responsibilities, the Vice President often:

• Represents India in diplomatic functions
• Participates in national and international events
• Inaugurates academic and cultural institutions
• Plays a neutral role in the Rajya Sabha, ensuring balanced debates and discussions

 

🔍 Analysis of Vice Presidents by Political Affiliation

Political Affiliation	Number of Vice Presidents
Indian National Congress	6
Bharatiya Janata Party	2
Independent	5
Janata Dal	1

➡ This reflects the non-partisan nature traditionally associated with the Vice President’s office.

 

🔔 Vice President vs. President: Key Differences

Feature	Vice President	President
Rank	2nd Highest	Highest
Role	Rajya Sabha Chair	Head of State
Election	MPs only	MPs + MLAs
Term	5 years	5 years
Emergency Powers	No	Yes
Executive Role	Only in absence of President	Full executive powers

 

🌐 Vice President and the Global Context

Similar positions exist globally, such as:

• Vice President of the USA – also President of the Senate
• Deputy President of South Africa
• Vice Premier in China

➡ The Vice President of India holds largely ceremonial and legislative roles, unlike some nations where they hold significant executive power.

 

🏛️ Recent Vice President: Jagdeep Dhankhar (2022–Present)

🧾 Background:

• Born: May 18, 1951, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan
• Profession: Lawyer and former Governor of West Bengal
• Party: BJP
• Known for: Advocating farmer rights, constitutional clarity, and parliamentary discipline

📌 Tenure Highlights:

• Focused on maintaining decorum in Rajya Sabha.
• Emphasized youth participation in politics and governance.
• Encouraged cooperative federalism.

 

🌱 Importance of the Office in Indian Democracy

The Vice President plays a critical balancing role in Indian parliamentary democracy. While the office doesn’t wield executive powers, it ensures:

• Smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha
• Upholding the values of the Constitution
• Acting as a bridge between the President, Parliament, and the people

 

📝 Conclusion

The Vice Presidency of India is a symbol of constitutional resilience, parliamentary dignity, and democratic continuity. From scholars like Dr. Radhakrishnan to legal minds like Jagdeep Dhankhar, the evolution of this office reflects the maturity of Indian democracy.

Understanding the history and role of each Vice President helps appreciate India’s constitutional depth and the personalities who have shaped it.

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🔍 FAQs

✅ Who was the first Vice President of India?

Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1952–1962)

✅ Who is the current Vice President of India (as of 2025)?

Jagdeep Dhankhar

✅ Who has served the longest as Vice President?

Mohammad Hamid Ansari (2007–2017)

✅ Who became President after serving as Vice President?

Dr. Radhakrishnan, Dr. Zakir Husain, V. V. Giri, R. Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma, K. R. Narayanan.