VP Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns: A look back at India's Vice Presidents over the years

Time of India

a day ago

India's second-highest constitutional office has taken the spotlight, following the resignation of Vice President
Jagdeep Dhankhar
on Monday. His unexpected move brings renewed focus to the legacy of the Vice Presidency—a role that balances political stature with constitutional duty.
As the ex-officio Chairman of the
Rajya Sabha
, the Vice President not only presides over the Upper House of Parliament but also plays a critical standby role to the President under Article 65 of the Indian Constitution.
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In cases of resignation, death, removal, or incapacity of the President, it is the Vice President who steps in to discharge those responsibilities.
Since the birth of the Republic, 13 individuals have served as Vice Presidents—many of whom later rose to the highest office in the land, or became enduring figures in Indian public life.
A historical line of stature and service
The story began with
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
, the scholar-statesman who became India's first Vice President in 1952. He served two terms before ascending to the Presidency in 1962. His legacy shaped the moral gravitas often associated with the role.
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He was succeeded by Dr. Zakir Hussain, another educationist who too would eventually become President. The early decades saw Vice Presidents who were often statesmen, legal scholars, or academics—adding intellectual heft to the position.
V. V. Giri, who followed, held the role briefly before becoming acting President and eventually winning the Presidency in his own right—a rare trajectory in Indian politics.
Names like B. D. Jatti, R. Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma, and K. R. Narayanan all passed through the Vice Presidency en route to greater national roles. In fact, Narayanan would later become India's first Dalit President.
Also read:
Who will become the next Vice President of India after Jagdeep Dhankhar's resignation?
From moderators to political heavyweights
As Indian politics matured, the Vice Presidency increasingly attracted seasoned political leaders. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, a former Rajasthan chief minister, brought grassroots political experience to the role in the early 2000s.
Mohammad Hamid Ansari, with a distinguished diplomatic career, brought continuity and calm during his two-term stint from 2007 to 2017, one of the longest in the office's history.
M. Venkaiah Naidu, a stalwart of the BJP and known for his oratory, followed from 2017 to 2022. His tenure was marked by efforts to raise decorum in the Rajya Sabha and a focus on parliamentary productivity.
Jagdeep Dhankhar's short but eventful tenure
A former governor of West Bengal and senior advocate, Jagdeep Dhankhar assumed office in August 2022, bringing with him a mix of legal acumen and political grit.
His tenure witnessed assertive chairmanship in the Rajya Sabha and frequent headlines over procedural clashes with Opposition leaders.
His resignation, coming just three years into the role.
Now, the government is expected to initiate the process for electing the next Vice President soon.
Also read:
Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns 'to prioritise health' as Monsoon Parliament session kicks off
A critical Constitutional office
The Vice Presidency may be viewed as largely ceremonial by some, but in moments of constitutional flux or parliamentary tension, the office emerges as a crucial balancing force.
With each occupant bringing their own legacy, India's Vice Presidents have contributed in ways both visible and quiet—upholding democratic values and institutional integrity.
As the nation awaits its 14th Vice President, the role's historical significance only deepens.