The Vice-President (Indian Polity and Governance)

Total Questions: 22

11. Which of the following statements is not correct? [38th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 1992]

Correct Answer: (c) Vice-President is appointed by the President of India.
Solution:According to Article 66, the Vice-President is elected by the members of Parliament by the Proportional Representation System and Single Transferable Vote System. All the other three statements are true.
ArticleDescription
Article 63There shall be a Vice President of India
Article 64The Vice President shall be ex officio chairman of the council of States
Article 65Vice President to act as President or to discharge his functions during casual vacancies in the office, or during the absence, of President
Article 66Vice President shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation
Article 67Vice President shall hold office for a term of five years
Article 68Provisions related to the term and vacancy of the Vice President
Article 69Oath to the office of President
Article 70Discharge of Presidents functions in any contingencies
Article 71Matters and disputes relating to, or connected with, the election of a President or Vice President.

12. Which of the following statements about the Vice- President of India are not correct? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2005]

1. In order to be the Vice-President, a person must be qualified for election as a member of the House of the People.

2. A member of the State Legislature can be a candidate for this office.

3. The term of the Office of the Vice-President is the same as that of the President.

4. He can be removed through a formal impeachment.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: (c) 1 and 4
Solution:Statements 1 and 4 are wrong by virtue of Articles 66(3)(0) and 67(b). According to Article 67(b) of the Constitution, a Vice-President may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Council of States by a majority of all the then members of the Council and agreed to by the House of the People. No resolution for this purpose shall be moved unless at least 14 days prior notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution. According to Article 66(3)(c) to be eligible for election as Vice-President, a person must be qualified for election as a member of the Council of states.

13. With reference of the election of the Vice-President of India, which is declared void by the Supreme Court of India, which of the following statement/s is/are correct? [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre.) 2023]

(1) The acts done by him as Vice President before such declaration are considered valid.

(2) The acts done by him as Vice-President on the day of such declaration are not considered valid.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Correct Answer: (b) Only 1
Solution:As per Article 71(2), if the election of a person as President or Vice president is declared void by the Supreme Court, acts done by him in the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of the office of President or Vice President, as the case may be, on or before the date of the decision of the Supreme Court shall not be invalidated by reason of that declaration. Thus, statement (1) is correct and statement (2) is incorrect. Hence, option (b) is correct answer.

14. The Vice-President of India: [U.P. Lower Sab. (Pre) 2013]

1. Is the second highest dignitary of India.

2. Has no formal function attached to his office

3. Discharges the functions of the President during his absence.

4. Acts as the President if the President resigns, or is removed or dies.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

Correct Answer: (d) All the four
Solution:The office of the Vice-President of India is the second-highest Constitutional Office of India after President. Article 63 of the Indian Constitution says that there shall be a Vice-President of India. The Vice-President shall act as President during casual vacancies in the office of President by reason of death, resignation, impeachment or other situations.
ArticleDescription
Article 63There shall be a Vice President of India
Article 64The Vice President shall be ex officio chairman of the council of States
Article 65Vice President to act as President or to discharge his functions during casual vacancies in the office, or during the absence, of President
Article 66Vice President shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation
Article 67Vice President shall hold office for a term of five years
Article 68Provisions related to the term and vacancy of the Vice President
Article 69Oath to the office of President
Article 70Discharge of Presidents functions in any contingencies
Article 71Matters and disputes relating to, or connected with, the election of a President or Vice President.

15. If Vice-President of India has to discharge the duties of President of India in his absence due to some reasons, then what is/are true for such duration? [Chhattisgarh PC.S. (Pre) 2021]

(i) In this duration, Vice-President holds the post of Chairman of Council of States.

(ii) In this duration, Vice-President will get the emolument of President.

(iii) If in this duration, Vice-President resigns, then Chief Justice of India will perform the duties of President of India.

Correct Answer: (a) (1), (ii) and (iii)
Solution:As per Article 64, if the Vice-President of India has to discharge the duties of the President of India in his absence due to some reasons, then, in this duration the Vice-President shall not perform the duties of the office of chairman of the council of states. In this duration, the Vice-President will get the emolument of the President (under Article 65(3)). As per the President (Discharge of functions) Act, 1969, if in this duration, Vice-President resigns, then the Chief Justice of India will perform duties of the President of India.

16. The Vice-President may be removed from his office by a resolution of- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2013]

Correct Answer: (a) Council of States
Solution:The Vice President can also be removed from office before the completion of his term. A formal impeachment is not required for his removal.
  • He can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of states) (Effective Majority) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha (Simple Majority). This means that this resolution should be passed in the Rajya Sabha by an effective majority and in the Lok Sabha by a simple majority.
  • It must be noted here that the effective majority in India is only a type of special majority and not a separate one. Further, this resolution can be introduced only in the Rajya Sabha and not in the Lok Sabha.
  • But, no such resolution can be moved unless at least 14 days advance notice has been given.

17. A resolution for the removal of the Vice-President of India can be proposed in- [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2003, 2004, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 200]

Correct Answer: (d) Rajya Sabha only
Solution:The Vice President can also be removed from office before the completion of his term. A formal impeachment is not required for his removal.
  • He can be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of states) (Effective Majority) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha (Simple Majority). This means that this resolution should be passed in the Rajya Sabha by an effective majority and in the Lok Sabha by a simple majority.
  • It must be noted here that the effective majority in India is only a type of special majority and not a separate one. Further, this resolution can be introduced only in the Rajya Sabha and not in the Lok Sabha.
  • But, no such resolution can be moved unless at least 14 days advance notice has been given.

18. Which one of the following is presided over by one who is not its member? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004]

Correct Answer: (c) Rajya Sabha
Solution:According to Article 67(b), the Vice-President may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) passed by a majority of all the then members of the Council and agreed to by the House of the People, but no resolution shall be moved unless at least 14 days prior notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution.

19. Among the four pairs given below which one consists of a correct-combination of dignitaries who became Vice-President after having held diplomatic posts of Ambassador and High Commissioners? [I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]

Correct Answer: (b) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan and V.V. Giri
Solution:Dr. S. Radhakrishnan was an Ambassador to the U.S.S.R from 1949 to 1952, and V.V. Giri was the High Commissioner to Sri Lanka from 1947 to 1951. K.R. Narayanan was also ambassador to China from 1976 to 1978.
  • The office of the Vice-President is the second-highest constitutional office after the President. It ranks second in the order of precedence and first in the line of succession to the presidency.
  • The VP is also the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In this capacity, his powers and functions are similar to those of Loksabha's speaker.
  • It serves a term of five years and is eligible for re-election.
  • The VP may resign by submitting his resignation to the President of India.
  • If the President is unable to discharge their duties due to absence, illness, or any other cause, the Vice-President assumes the role of Acting President.
    ∗ This arrangement continues until a new President is elected,                   which must occur within six months if the vacancy arises due                   to  the President's death, resignation, or removal.
    ∗  During this period, the VP ceases to perform the functions of                   Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

20. Who among the following has held the office of the Vice-President of India" [I.A.S. (Pre) 2008]

1. Mohammad Hidayatullah

2. Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed

3. Neelam Sanjiva Reddy

4. Shankar Dayal Sharma

Correct Answer: (b) 1 and 4
Solution:Mohammad Hidayatullah was the sixth Vice-President of India from 1979 to 84, and Shankar Dayal Sharma was the Vice-President of India from 1987 to 92. Rest all were Presidents of India.
  • The office of the Vice-President is the second-highest constitutional office after the President. It ranks second in the order of precedence and first in the line of succession to the presidency.
  • The VP is also the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In this capacity, his powers and functions are similar to those of Loksabha's speaker.
  • It serves a term of five years and is eligible for re-election.
  • The VP may resign by submitting his resignation to the President of India.
  • If the President is unable to discharge their duties due to absence, illness, or any other cause, the Vice-President assumes the role of Acting President.
    ∗ This arrangement continues until a new President is elected,                   which must occur within six months if the vacancy arises due                   to  the President's death, resignation, or removal.
    ∗  During this period, the VP ceases to perform the functions of                   Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.