On the very first day of the Parliament’s Monsoon Session, 2025, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns as Vice President in 2025. This news surprised not only the Government but also the Opposition parties and the general public.
Why Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns as Vice President in 2025
He has cited his ill health as the reason for his resignation. In a letter dated 21 July 2025, addressed to the Hon’ble President, Shri Dhankhar had sought resignation with immediate effect “to prioritize health care and abide by the medical advice”. He is the first Vice President to have resigned from the post among those who resigned either to contest elections or to accept the post of President.
Just 10 days before leaving his post, Shri Dhankhar, at a function at Jawaharlal Nehru University, had expressed the hope that he would complete his tenure and resign on time in August 2027. Though he also said that it is “subject to divine intervention”.
Referring to his good working relationship with the Hon’ble President, Mrs. Droupadi Murmu, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar thanked her for her unwavering support. He also thanked the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, Cabinet Ministers, and all the MPs and MLAs, for their support and knowledge, helping him to render his Parliamentary duties as Vice President of India.
Brief Bio Data
Born on 18 May 1951, Shri Dhankhar originally hails from Rajasthan. He was born into a farming family. Shri Dhankhar is married and has a daughter. After studying law at Rajasthan University, he did his legal practice in the High Court and the Supreme Court of India. He later got involved in Indian politics.
Before becoming the Vice President on 11 August 2022, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar had been the Governor of West Bengal from 30 July 2019 to 18 July 2022. He has also served the Government of India as a Cabinet Minister, an MP, and an MLA. His career has been very eventful. As the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, he was the first Vice President against whom a No-Confidence-Motion was moved by the Opposition parties in December 2024. However, this motion was rejected by the Parliament. Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns as Vice President on 21 July 2025.
Reports in the Media
Different speculations are being made on the actual reason for the Vice President’s resignation. Apart from the health issue of Shri Dhankhar, his sudden resignation is also being linked with his stand on the judiciary.
Opposition parties are linking the resignation of Shri Dhankhar with the absence of Leader of the House, Shri J.P. Nadda, and Parliamentary Affairs Minister, Shri Kiren Rijuju, in the Business Advisory Committee meeting held by the Vice President yesterday. However, both the leaders denounced it and said that they were busy with other Parliamentary work. In his tweet on X, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi said that “Shri Jagdeep Dhankar ji has got many opportunities to serve our country in various capacities, including Vice President of India.” He also wished him good health.
Provision for Election to the Post of the Vice President
After the news that Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns as Vice President in 2025, discussions have started on the constitutional process for the selection of his successor. As per Article 66 of the Constitution, the Vice President is elected by both houses of the Parliament in a joint meeting through a system of proportional representation through a single transferable vote. The Election Commission of India will soon notify the election process regarding this so that the Vice President can be elected soon. There is heat in all the political parties regarding the election of the new Vice President.
The Vice President of India is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. It is natural for all parties to take an interest in the appointment of such a person to the post of Vice President because the Vice President plays a key and important role in the functioning of the Rajya Sabha. All political parties, along with the general public, will be waiting for the announcement of new candidates for the post of Vice President. Candidates must be neutral, dignified, and well-versed in parliamentary functioning.
Conclusion
Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar is a champion of Parliamentary supremacy. He spoke about this repeatedly. He initiated many reforms in the Upper House of Parliament. While conducting Parliamentary proceedings, he expressed his strong views on repeated disruptions, once said that Rule 267, which gives the right to adjourn the proceedings, is being misused by the opposition as a weapon for disrupting the proceedings.