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Vice-President of India ICSE Class 10 Civics

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History & CivicsICSE Class 10 · The Vice-President

The Vice-President of India: Qualifications, Election, Term, Removal and Powers (ICSE Class 10 Civics)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Vice-President must be an Indian citizen of at least 35, qualified to be a Rajya Sabha member, with no office of profit. He is elected by the members (elected and nominated) of both Houses of Parliament, serves five years, can be removed by a Rajya Sabha resolution agreed to by the Lok Sabha, presides over the Rajya Sabha as ex officio Chairman and acts as President when the office is vacant.

Notice that only the Vice-President's college includes nominated MPs and excludes state assemblies, because he presides over a House of Parliament.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand The Vice-President: Qualifications, Election, Removal and Powers

1. Qualifications. Citizen of India; at least 35 years; qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha; no office of profit under the Union, a state or a local authority. He is not a member of either House; if a member is elected, the seat is treated as vacated on taking office.

2. Election. An electoral college of all members of both Houses of Parliament, elected and nominated. State assemblies do not take part. The vote is by secret ballot through proportional representation by the single transferable vote. *Contrast with the President:* the President's college has only elected members but includes state assembly members; the Vice-President's college has both elected and nominated members but only of Parliament. The reason is that his main duty is to preside over a House of Parliament.

3. Term and vacancy. Five years from entering office, with eligibility for re-election; he continues until his successor takes charge. He resigns by writing to the President. A vacancy is filled by an election as soon as possible, and the person elected gets a full five-year term.

4. Removal. Not by impeachment. A resolution is passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha and agreed to by the Lok Sabha by a simple majority, after at least 14 days' notice. It must begin in the Rajya Sabha. The Constitution names no specific ground. While the resolution is being considered he does not preside.

5. Powers as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

  • Presides over sittings and conducts business under the rules.
  • Maintains order and can suspend members or adjourn the House in grave disorder.
  • Adjourns or suspends the sitting if there is no quorum.
  • Decides who may speak and admits questions, motions and resolutions.
  • Does not vote at first, but has a casting vote in a tie.
  • Decides disqualification of members for defection.
  • Protects the rights and privileges of the House and its members.

Unlike the Speaker, he does not certify Money Bills and does not preside over joint sittings.

6. Acting as President. When the President dies, resigns or is removed, the Vice-President acts as President until a new one is elected (within six months). He also acts when the President is ill or away. While so acting he has all the President's powers and immunities and the President's salary, and the Deputy Chairman presides over the Rajya Sabha.

The Vice-President: Qualifications, Election, Removal and Powers: key facts

Qualifications
  • Citizen of India
  • At least 35 years
  • Qualified for Rajya Sabha
  • No office of profit
Same age as President.
Electoral college
  • All members of both Houses
  • Elected and nominated
  • No state assembly members
  • Single transferable vote
Parliament only.
Term
  • Five years
  • Re-election allowed
  • Resigns to the President
  • Continues until successor takes charge
Term.
Removal
  • Rajya Sabha resolution by majority of all then members
  • Lok Sabha agrees
  • 14 days notice
  • Begins in Rajya Sabha
No impeachment.

How to answer The Vice-President: Qualifications, Election, Removal and Powers questions

Questions ask for qualifications (2 marks), the electoral college or removal (3-4 marks), and the powers as Chairman or as acting President (4-6 marks).

  1. 1For qualifications use four short points, noting Rajya Sabha not Lok Sabha.
  2. 2For election, name both elected and nominated MPs.
  3. 3For removal, say it begins in the Rajya Sabha and give the 14 days.
  4. 4For powers, write Chairman's powers and do not simply copy the President's.

The Vice-President: Qualifications, Election, Removal and Powers in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Presiding officer

Suppose the head of a school council is not a member of the junior council but chairs its meetings and votes only to break a tie.

Which office is this, and why is the tie-breaking vote useful?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The chair is not a member, so does not vote ordinarily.
  2. A tie would otherwise stop a decision.
  3. The casting vote resolves it.

Answer: This resembles the Vice-President as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, whose casting vote settles a tied vote.

Memory hook: Chair votes only to break a tie.

Stand-in leader

Imagine a captain who is injured, so the vice-captain takes the captain's duties and powers until the captain returns, and another player chairs the vice-captain's usual meetings.

Which arrangement of the Indian Constitution does this match?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Vice-captain acts as captain.
  2. A deputy takes the chair of his usual role.
  3. Vice-President acts as President; the Deputy Chairman presides over the Rajya Sabha.

Answer: It matches the Vice-President acting as President while the Deputy Chairman presides over the Rajya Sabha.

Memory hook: Deputy fills the chair.

Tricks to remember The Vice-President: Qualifications, Election, Removal and Powers

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • 35 and R

    Thirty-five years, Rajya Sabha qualification.

    Use it when: Qualifications.

  • Parliament only

    Elected and nominated MPs; no MLAs.

    Use it when: Electoral college.

  • R then L

    Removal starts in the Rajya Sabha, then the Lok Sabha agrees.

    Use it when: Removal.

The Vice-President: Qualifications, Election, Removal and Powers: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Qualifications · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

State any three qualifications of the Vice-President. [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Citizen of India (1 mark).
  2. At least 35 years (1 mark).
  3. Qualified for Rajya Sabha; no office of profit (1 mark).

Answer: He must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha, and must not hold any office of profit under any government or local authority.

Example 2: Electoral college · 3 marks · Short answerBoard level

Who elects the Vice-President? How does it differ from the electoral college for the President? [3]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Both Houses, elected and nominated (1 mark).
  2. President: elected members only (1 mark).
  3. President: state assemblies included (1 mark).

Answer: The Vice-President is elected by the members of both Houses of Parliament, elected and nominated. The President's college has only elected members but includes the elected members of the state Legislative Assemblies, whereas state assembly members take no part in electing the Vice-President.

Example 3: Removal · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Describe the procedure for removing the Vice-President. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Resolution in Rajya Sabha (1 mark).
  2. Majority of all then members (1 mark).
  3. Lok Sabha agrees by simple majority (1 mark).
  4. 14 days' notice (1 mark).

Answer: A resolution is moved in the Rajya Sabha after at least 14 days' notice and passed by a majority of all the then members of that House. It must then be agreed to by the Lok Sabha by a simple majority.

Example 4: Chairman's powers · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

During a stormy Rajya Sabha debate the House is also divided equally on a vote. Describe how the Chairman handles both situations and name two other powers he holds. [4]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Four powers, 1 mark each.

Answer: He presides over the sittings and conducts the business of the Rajya Sabha; maintains order and can suspend members or adjourn the House; decides who may speak and admits questions and motions; and has a casting vote in a tie, though he does not vote otherwise. He also decides disqualification of members for defection.

Example 5: Case: a vacancy · 6 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Case. The President resigns. (i) Who becomes acting President? [1] (ii) Who presides over the Rajya Sabha meanwhile? [1] (iii) How long can this continue? [2] (iv) Why can the Vice-President not hold a seat in Parliament while acting? [2]

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. (i) Vice-President (1 mark).
  2. (ii) Deputy Chairman (1 mark).
  3. (iii) Until a new President is elected, which must be within six months (2 marks).
  4. (iv) He is not a member of either House (2 marks).

Answer: (i) The Vice-President. (ii) The Deputy Chairman. (iii) Until a new President is elected, and the election must be held within six months. (iv) The Vice-President is not a member of either House, and a member who is elected Vice-President is treated as having vacated the seat on entering office.

Where students lose marks in The Vice-President: Qualifications, Election, Removal and Powers

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Using Lok Sabha qualification

    Copying the Lok Sabha age.

    Wrong working

    Qualified for the Lok Sabha at 25.

    Right working

    35 years and qualified for the Rajya Sabha.

    Do this: Link to the House he presides over.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Adding state assemblies

    Mixing up with the President.

    Wrong working

    MLAs also vote for the Vice-President.

    Right working

    Only members of both Houses of Parliament.

    Do this: Parliament only.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Calling it impeachment

    Using the President's procedure.

    Wrong working

    Vice-President is impeached by two-thirds.

    Right working

    Removed by a Rajya Sabha resolution agreed to by the Lok Sabha.

    Do this: Say removal, not impeachment.

    Usually costs: 2 marks.

  • Mistake: Copying the Speaker's powers

    Adding Money Bills.

    Wrong working

    Chairman certifies Money Bills.

    Right working

    That is the Speaker's power; the Chairman does not.

    Do this: Check two differences.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Always compare the college with the President's when asked about election.
  • Write powers as the Chairman's, not as the Speaker's.
  • Mention the Deputy Chairman when asked about acting as President.

Practice questions on The Vice-President: Qualifications, Election, Removal and Powers

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    What is the term of the Vice-President? To whom does he resign? [2]

    Hint

    Five years; the President.

    Answer

    The term is five years, with eligibility for re-election, and he resigns by writing to the President.

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    Why is the Vice-President called the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha? [2]

    Hint

    Because of his office.

    Answer

    Because he becomes Chairman by virtue of holding the office of Vice-President, without being elected separately to preside over the House.

  3. Q3 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Compare the removal of the President with the removal of the Vice-President. [4]

    Hint

    Ground and process.

    Answer

    The President is impeached on the charge of violating the Constitution, with two-thirds of the total membership of each House. The Vice-President is removed by a Rajya Sabha resolution passed by a majority of all the then members and agreed to by the Lok Sabha, and no specific ground is named. Both need 14 days' notice.

  4. Q4 · 5 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Compare the powers of the Speaker with those of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. State two similarities and two differences. [5]

    Hint

    Casting vote, money bills.

    Answer

    Both preside, maintain order and have a casting vote in a tie. They also decide disqualification for defection. The Speaker certifies Money Bills and presides over a joint sitting; the Chairman does neither.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

    The Vice-President is not a member of either House yet he presides over one. Explain how the Constitution balances this arrangement. [4]

    Hint

    Casting vote, ex officio.

    Answer

    Being outside both Houses, he is impartial and need not follow a party line; he has no ordinary vote and votes only to break a tie. He is elected by Parliament and can be removed by a Rajya Sabha resolution, so the House keeps control over its presiding officer.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.Age of the Vice-President?Show answer

    At least 35 years.

  2. 2.Who elects the Vice-President?Show answer

    Members of both Houses of Parliament.

  3. 3.Which House begins his removal?Show answer

    The Rajya Sabha.

  4. 4.Who presides over the Rajya Sabha in his absence?Show answer

    The Deputy Chairman.

  5. 5.How long is his term?Show answer

    Five years.

  6. 6.Does he have a casting vote?Show answer

    Yes, in a tie.

The Vice-President: Qualifications, Election, Removal and Powers: frequently asked questions

Is the Vice-President a member of Parliament?

No, he is not a member of either House.

Can he be re-elected?

Yes.

Does he draw the President's salary when acting as President?

Yes, while acting he receives the salary and allowances of the President.

Can the Vice-President be impeached?

No; he is removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha agreed to by the Lok Sabha.