Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar’s unexpected resignation: What is the constitutional process

New Delhi: India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned from his post on the evening of 21 July 2025 today. According to the statement issued by the Vice President Bhavan, Dhankhar has taken this decision to follow the health reasons and medical advice. He has submitted his resignation to President Draupadi Murmu, which allows the Vice President to resign at any time under Article 67 (A) of the Constitution. This resignation from the post of Vice President, which has taken place two years before his term, starts the process of election of the new Vice President once again in the country. Jagdeep Dhankhar is the third Vice President in the history of India who has left the post before the completion of his term. Before him, V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman has also resigned under similar circumstances. Contesting provisions and upcoming elections: According to Article 68 (2) of the Constitution, the election should be held as soon as the election ‘as soon as possible’ as Vice President’s vacancy (whether it is due to death, resignation or any other reason). However, contrary to the vacancy of the post of President, no fixed time-limit to hold elections in the Vice President’s case is stated in the constitution. The Election Commission will soon announce the election schedule. The Vice President is elected by the Electoral Board of both the Houses of Parliament – Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha – including nominated members. The new Vice President, once selected, will take a full tenure of five years from the date of taking charge, not only the remaining tenure. Entry system: Until the new Vice President is elected, the Vice President, Harivansh, will conduct the proceedings of the House as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. After this sudden vacancy, soon political parties will start discussions on the possible names of the next Vice President.