The Vice President of India
Vice President of India is elected by the members of the two houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote.
Qualifications of a Vice President of India
A candidate for the office of the post of Vice President must
(1) Be a citizen of India
(2) Be more than 35 years of age
(3) Possess the qualifications prescribed for the membership of the Rajya Sabha
(4) Not be a member of either House of the Parliament or State Legislature
(5) Does not hold any office of profit under the Union or State government or local authority
Term of office
The Vice President of India holds office for a term of five years. He is eligible for re-election. His office may terminate earlier than the fixed term either by resignation or by removal. He may be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by a majority of its members and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.
Powers of the Vice President of India
The Vice – President is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha and presides over its meetings. All bills, resolutions, motions and questions can be taken up by the Rajya Sabha only with his consent. He discharges the functions of the office of the President in case the office falls vacant on account of the death, resignation or removal of the President.
Emoluments of vice President
When the Vice President acts as or discharges the functions of the President of India he gets the emoluments of the President; otherwise he gets the salary of the Chairman of the Council of States.
All doubts and disputes arising out of or in connection with the election of a President or Vice President is inquired into and decided by the Supreme Court whose decision is final.
