In 2024, the office of Vice President of India continued to carry significant constitutional importance, though the year also saw events that set the stage for later changes. The Vice President serves not only as the second highest constitutional official but also as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of India’s Parliament). The period around 2024 was notable for evolving political dynamics, the performance of the incumbent, and growing discussions around succession and responsibilities tied to the role.
Constitutional Role and Responsibilities
The Vice President of India occupies a unique position in the Indian political system. Constitutionally, the Vice President acts as the deputy to the President and is first in the line of succession to that office. In addition, the Vice President presides over the Rajya Sabha, ensuring order of debates, deciding on procedural matters, and occasionally casting a tiebreaking vote. When the President is unable to perform duties due to absence, death, resignation, or impeachment the Vice President discharges those functions. The Constitutional basis for these powers is enshrined in topics 66 to 69 of the Indian Constitution, with specified procedures for election, term, and removal of the Vice President.
Election and Term
The Vice President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha), using a system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. State legislative assemblies do not take part in this election. The election is conducted via secret ballot by the Election Commission of India. The term of the Vice President is five years, but the officeholder continues until a successor assumes office. Removal from office is permitted by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha by an effective majority and agreed by the Lok Sabha with a simple majority, following notice. Unlike the President, however, the Constitution does not list specific grounds for removal.
The Incumbent in 2024 Jagdeep Dhankhar
During most of 2024, the Vice President of India was Jagdeep Dhankhar, who had been elected in August 2022. As Vice President, Dhankhar presided over the Rajya Sabha and undertook various public and parliamentary duties. He was also involved in representing India on certain occasions and gave speeches on legislative matters. His tenure attracted both praise and criticism in political and media circles for his interventions in public discourse.
Activities and Public Profile
Throughout 2023 and into 2024, Dhankhar remained a visible public figure, attending parliamentary sessions, meetings with dignitaries, and engaging in national discourses on constitutional and governance issues. Many observers regarded his tenure as marked by assertiveness and willingness to comment on issues beyond strictly parliamentary duties. While the Vice President’s role is largely ceremonial, Dhankhar leveraged the platform to influence public debates. His speeches, interventions, and presence in media coverage made the Vice Presidency more prominent in public imagination during that period.
Challenges and Critiques in 2024
The tenure of any Vice President faces inherent constraints. Because executive power lies with the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers, the Vice President’s role is not executive but constitutional and legislative. In 2024, critics debated how much influence a Vice President should wield in public discourse, especially when crossing into areas of policy critique or commentary. Some contended that overstepping these bounds may lead to controversy or political friction.
Health and Succession Concerns
By mid2025, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from the Vice President’s office, citing health reasons. That event was a signal that succession planning and constitutional readiness for an early vacancy would become important topics. The unexpected resignation prompted a special vice presidential election in 2025, which was the first such early election since 1987. The developments around 2024 thus paved the way for the transition and eventual election of a new Vice President.
The 2025 Election Context (Relating to 2024)
Although the election itself occurred in September 2025, much of the groundwork and political positioning took shape in 2024. After Dhankhar’s resignation and the announcement of the vacancy, various political parties prepared their nominations and strategies. The ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nominated C. P. Radhakrishnan, while the opposition coalition (INDIA bloc) proposed B. Sudershan Reddy. The electoral process was closely watched, given that it followed an early vacancy and tested the conventions around parliamentary consensus and party discipline. Radhakrishnan ultimately won with 452 electoral votes to Reddy’s 300.
Significance of the Transition
The transition from Dhankhar to Radhakrishnan (effective September 2025) underscores how the office of Vice President can undergo change even outside regular electoral cycles. The context set in 2024 public perception of the incumbent, political positioning, constitutional readiness, and party strategies shaped how the subsequent election unfolded. The 2025 election was notable for its margin and the degree of cross-voting among members of parliament, reflecting shifting alliances and political maneuvering. For observers, the leadup during 2024 provides crucial insight into how the Vice Presidency evolved in function, visibility, and political significance.
Key Takeaways and Outlook Beyond 2024
The period around 2024 was a pivotal moment for India’s Vice Presidency. With Dhankhar’s increasing public role and the eventual resignation, questions about the balance between ceremonial duty and public engagement came to the fore. The constitutional framework, party strategies, and parliamentary norms all played roles in how the office was perceived, debated, and eventually handed over. The events of 2024 illustrate that while the Vice President’s role is constrained by law, it also carries normative influence, especially in shaping parliamentary decorum and contributing to national dialogue.
Looking Forward
With Radhakrishnan assuming office in September 2025, the legacy of 2024 becomes part of his backdrop. His tenure will likely be compared with Dhankhar’s in terms of public engagement, parliamentary leadership, and how he balances the constitutional limits with evolving expectations. For scholars and citizens alike, the 20242025 transition period offers a case study in how constitutional roles adapt within India’s political environment. Moving further, examining the Vice President’s contributions, limitations, and influence will remain relevant for understanding parliamentary democracy and institutional balance in India.
The year 2024 was significant in framing the role and public perception of the Vice President of India. During that year, Jagdeep Dhankhar continued as the incumbent, deploying the office’s constitutional mandate while navigating public visibility and political critique. Meanwhile, anticipation and positioning for succession took shape, culminating in the early vacancy and election in 2025. In that light, 2024 reads as a preparatory and transitional year a moment when constitutional convention, political strategy, and institutional norms coalesced to influence how the Vice Presidency would be experienced in the years that followed.