Why in news?
On 9 September 2025 the Electoral College of Parliament elected CP Radhakrishnan as India’s fifteenth Vice President. He defeated Justice B. Sudershan Reddy with a margin of 452 votes to 300, amid more than 98% turnout of MPs.
Who is CP Radhakrishnan?
- Background: Born on 20 October 1957 in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, he has served as Governor of Jharkhand and Maharashtra (with additional charge of Telangana and Puducherry).
- Political career: Two‑time Lok Sabha MP from Coimbatore and former president of the BJP’s Tamil Nadu unit. He chaired the Coir Board (2016–2020) and oversaw a record rise in coir exports.
Constitutional provisions
- Article 63: Mandates the office of the Vice President as the second‑highest constitutional authority.
- Article 64: Makes the Vice President the ex‑officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha; the office is not a profit‑bearing post.
- Article 65: In the event of the President’s absence, death or incapacity, the Vice President acts as President until a new election is held within six months.
Features of the office
- Eligibility: Must be an Indian citizen aged at least 35 and qualified for election to the Rajya Sabha. Cannot hold an office of profit under the Union or a state.
- Tenure: Five years; continues until the successor assumes office.
- Vacancy and removal: The Vice President may resign to the President. Removal requires a resolution of the Rajya Sabha, agreed to by the Lok Sabha with at least 14 days’ notice.
- Role in Parliament: Presides over Rajya Sabha debates, maintains order and casts a tie‑breaking vote when necessary.
Radhakrishnan’s election continues the Bharatiya Janata Party’s hold on high constitutional offices and marks the first time a politician from Tamil Nadu has ascended to the Vice Presidency.
