The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that the 17th Vice-Presidential Election will take place on September 9, 2025. This follows the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar from the position. Dhankhar stepped down due to health issues, a decision he made public on July 22, 2025.
According to the ECI’s schedule, the last date for filing nominations is August 21. The counting of votes will occur on the same day as polling. The Ministry of Home Affairs officially declared the vacancy through a notification that was issued on July 22.
As per the law, elections for a vacant Vice-Presidential position should be conducted as soon as possible. The newly elected Vice President will serve a full five-year term starting from the day they take office. The election process will follow the guidelines set by the Presidential and Vice-Presidential Elections Act of 1952.
Article 66 of the Indian Constitution states that the Vice President is elected by an electoral college made up of members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. The election uses a secret ballot and follows the single transferable vote system, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference.
Jagdeep Dhankhar, who took office in 2022, announced his resignation shortly after overseeing the first day of the Monsoon Session in the Rajya Sabha. In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, he stated, “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution.”
The upcoming election is expected to attract significant attention, as the Vice-President plays an important role in India’s governance framework. The ECI has confirmed that the polling will be conducted in the Parliament House, specifically in Room No. F-101, Vasudha, on the first floor.
The electoral college for this election will consist of 782 members of Parliament, which includes elected and nominated members from both houses. The elected members from the Rajya Sabha total 233, with five seats currently vacant, while the Lok Sabha has 542 elected members with one seat vacant.
Voting will take place through a secret ballot, and candidates will be declared elected once they receive the required quota of votes. This quota is calculated by dividing the total number of valid votes by two and adding one. If no candidate achieves this quota in the first round, the candidate with the fewest first-preference votes will be eliminated, and their votes will be transferred to the remaining candidates based on second preferences. This process continues until one candidate achieves the quota.
Dhankhar’s unexpected resignation has surprised many, particularly as it followed a planned impeachment motion against a judge, which he accepted. The government has remained silent on the matter, but Prime Minister Narendra Modi wished Dhankhar good health in a post on X.
As the election date approaches, the political landscape may shift, with various parties preparing their candidates for this significant role. The Vice-Presidential election is crucial as it ensures the continuity of leadership within the Indian political system, and the outcome could influence future legislative sessions.