Election of Vice President of India - Indian Polity Notes

Article 66 deals with the provision of the Election of the Vice-President. The office of the Vice-President in India is a unique feature of the executive system at the Union level. The Vice-President is the highest dignitary of India, coming next after the President. The election of Vice–President of India is described in this Article.

Article 66: Election of Vice-President

1. The Vice-President is elected by members of an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament using a single transferable vote and secret ballot by the proportional representation system.
2. The Vice-President may not be a member of either House of Parliament or a House of the Legislature of any State, and if a member of either House of Parliament or a House of the Legislature of any State is elected Vice-President, he is deemed to have vacated his seat in that House on the date he takes office as Vice-President.
3. No individual shall be eligible for election as Vice-President unless he is:

(a) an Indian citizen;

(b) at least 35 years old; and

(c) qualified for election as a member of the Council of States.

1. A person who occupies a profit-making office under the Government of India, the Government of any State, or any local or other authority under the control of any of the above Governments is ineligible for election as Vice-President.

A person shall not be deemed to hold any profit office solely because he is the President or Vice-President of the Union, the Governor of any State, or a Minister either for the Union or any State for this article.

Conclusion

The Vice President's election process is thus closely tied to the Presidential election, and both occur simultaneously.

FAQs

MCQs

Question: Which of the following statements are correct about Vice -President of India

1. Vice- president is elected by both Houses of the Parliament in joint sitting.
2. Oath of Office to the Vice-President is administered by Chief Justice of India
3. No ground has been mentioned in the Constitution for his removal from the office.

Select the incorrect answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Question:Consider the following statements:

1.The Vice President can be removed by impeachment procedure

2.The Vice President must have completed the age of 30 years.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Question: Consider the following statements:

1. The Chairman and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are not members of that House.
2. While the nominated members of the two Houses of Parliament have no voting right in the presidential election, they have the right to vote in the election of the Vice President.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct? (UPSC 2013)

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Question: Which Article of the Constitution of India deals with the election of Vice President of India?

(a) Article 52

(b) Article 61

(c) Article 66

(d) Article 72

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