For only the third time in India’s democratic journey, an unscheduled by-election is set to fill the country’s Vice Presidential post—an outcome triggered by the current officeholder stepping down, citing an issue with his health. Now, Maharashtra Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan and a former Supreme Court judge are the key contenders, recalling rare past instances when V.V. Giri and Shankar Dayal Sharma vacated this high office before the completion of their tenures.
According to the announced schedule, the election notification will be released on August 7, 2025. Nomination papers may be submitted until August 21, while August 23 is the cut-off for withdrawal. Scrutiny of candidates takes place on August 26. Both polling and result declaration are slated for September 9, 2025.
The Constitution lays down that candidates must be over 35 years of age and qualified to become a Rajya Sabha member. Every nomination needs to be supported and seconded by at least 20 Members of Parliament each. Elected and nominated parliamentarians from both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha cast preference votes in a ranked system.
Voters number their chosen candidates by order of preference; the one who secures the required threshold emerges victorious. The Election Commission maintains stringent oversight of this finely balanced process.
The Vice Presidency, since its establishment with Dr. S. Radhakrishnan’s oath in 1952, has been held by 14 distinguished individuals, each contributing a chapter to this exclusive legacy.
