When a high office unexpectedly becomes vacant, it sets national attention ablaze. That’s exactly what happened this year when Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned in July 2025, citing health concerns. His surprise departure—two years before the end of his tenure—triggered a rare mid-term vice presidential election, scheduled for 9th September 2025.

The Backdrop: Dhankhar’s Resignation

On 21 July 2025, Jagdeep Dhankhar formally resigned from his post under Article 67(a) of the Constitution, stating, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice…” His decision came as a surprise given his active role in Parliament that very day.

Once known for his spirited presence as chairman of the Rajya Sabha, Dhankhar’s resignation sparked political speculation. While officially health was the reason cited, observers noted that internal tensions and parliamentary dynamics might have played a role.

Timing & Legal Mandate

Constitutionally, a vice presidential vacancy must be filled "as soon as possible" per Article 68. The Election Commission of India (ECI), under Article 324, promptly kicked off the electoral process in early August. Here’s the election timeline:

• 7 August – ECI issues the election notification
• 21 August – Last date to file nominations
• 22 August – Scrutiny of nominations
• 25 August – Deadline for candidate withdrawal
• 9 September – Polling and vote counting, same day 

How the Election Works: The Process Demystified

India’s Vice President is elected indirectly through a secret ballot by an Electoral College comprising elected and nominated members of both Houses of Parliament. The voting system is based on proportional representation via Single Transferable Vote (STV)—voters rank candidates by preference, and the one who secures the required quota wins.

Choosing the Vice President of India is not like the Lok Sabha elections, where millions of citizens line up at polling booths. Instead, it is an indirect election, meaning only a very small, special group of people get to vote. Let’s break it down simply:

The Electoral College is made up of all the Members of Parliament (MPs) from both Houses:

• Lok Sabha (House of the People) → Elected MPs + Nominated MPs
• Rajya Sabha (Council of States) → Elected MPs + Nominated MPs

That means ALL MPs of India, whether they are directly elected by the people or nominated, get to vote. This is different from the President’s election, where even MLAs (state legislators) take part.

The MPs don’t just tick one box. They use a system called the Single Transferable Vote (STV), which works like a preference ranking system. Imagine you’re voting for your favorite ice cream. You write “Chocolate” as your first choice. If chocolate is not available, your second choice is “Mango”. If mango is also not available, you go for “Vanilla”. Similarly, MPs mark their ballot papers by ranking candidates (1, 2, 3, etc.) according to their preference.

This ensures that the winning candidate is someone who has broad support, not just from one party but from enough MPs across Parliament. It avoids a situation where someone wins with a tiny majority but is disliked by most others. When the ballots are opened:

• First, the first preference votes are counted.
• If one candidate gets the required majority (called “quota”), they are declared elected.
• If no one reaches the quota, the candidate with the least votes is eliminated, and their votes are transferred to the next preference marked by MPs.
• This process continues until a candidate gets enough votes to win.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) conducts the entire process: issuing notifications, inviting nominations, verifying them, overseeing voting, and finally declaring results. The Returning Officer (usually the Secretary General of Rajya Sabha) supervises the poll inside Parliament. The Vice President election is done through a secret ballot. That means MPs are free to vote as per their conscience, not necessarily following the party line. Unlike ordinary parliamentary voting, parties cannot issue a whip (compulsory voting order).

The Contenders

With political lines drawn, two candidates stepped forward:

• NDA Candidate: C. P. Radhakrishnan, the current Governor of Maharashtra and veteran BJP leader from Tamil Nadu
• Opposition (INDIA) Candidate: B. Sudarshan Reddy, former Supreme Court judge and a respected judicial figure 

With the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance enjoying a comfortable majority in Parliament, Radhakrishnan is widely expected to secure victory. 

Election Day: Date, Time & How to Watch

The vice presidential election was held on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, inside the Parliament’s Room F-101, from 10 AM to 5 PM, with counting conducted immediately after voting concluded.

How to check results:

1. Watch the live stream on the Election Commission of India’s YouTube channel.

2. Alternatively, follow updates via major news outlets or the Official Gazette, once the Returning Officer announces the winner.

Why This Election Matters?

The Vice President holds a prestigious constitutional position: second only to the President, acts as Chair of the Rajya Sabha, and becomes Acting President if needed.

Beyond filling a vacancy, this election has political significance—it reflects the current balance of power in India’s Parliament and underscores the importance of constitutional values in the nation’s democracy.

From Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden resignation to the impending vote count, the 2025 Vice Presidential Election stands as a pivotal moment in India’s democratic journey. Whether you’re a student of politics, a parliamentary enthusiast, or a concerned citizen, understanding this process underscores how constitutional democracy functions—even amid unexpected transitions.

Stay tuned—and make sure you're watching the results tonight as India welcomes its new Vice President.