Duties and powers of a vice-president

The vice-president (vicepresident) of India is the second-highest constitutional office in India, after the president. The vice-president acts as president in his absence, or due to death, resignation, impeachment, or other situations.

He/she is also ex-officio chairperson of Rajya Sabha (upper house of parliament).

The vice-president is elected indirectly by members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote and the voting is by secret ballot conducted by Election Commission.

The vice-president holds office for five years. He can be reelected any number of times.

However, the office may be terminated earlier by death, resignation or removal. The Constitution does not provide a mechanism of succession to the office of vice-president in the event of an extraordinary vacancy, apart from a re-election.

However, the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha can perform the vice-president’s duties as the Chairman of Rajya Sabha in such an event.

When a Bill is introduced in Rajya Sabha, the vice-president decides whether it is a finance bill or not.

If he is of the opinion, a bill introduced in Rajya Sabha is a money bill, he would refer the case to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha for deciding it.