Question

Who elects the Vice-President of India?
A.Same electoral college which elects the President
B.Members of the Rajya Sabha
C.Electoral college consisting of members of Parliament
D.Members of Parliament at a joint meeting

Answer 1

Hint: In India’s parliamentary system of government, the President serves as the head of the state or the nominal executive and the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister serves as the head of the government or the real executive. After the President, the Vice-President is the second-ranking constitutional head of the nation. The Vice President assumes the office of the President if there is a vacancy arising due to the death, resignation, impeachment or otherwise. The Vice-President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and presides over all the meetings and other businesses of the Upper House.

Complete Step by Step answer: Option A: is incorrect. The President is elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both the Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the legislative assembly of the states. The procedure of the Vice President’s election is different.
Option B: is incorrect. The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is elected internally by the members of the Rajya Sabha. The President who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is not elected by the Rajya Sabha.
Option C: is correct. The Vice-President is elected by members of both the Houses of Parliament using the single transferable vote and voting by secret ballot, as stated in Article 66 of the Constitution.
Option D: is incorrect because although earlier in Article 66(1) of the Constitution, The Vice President was to be elected by members of both the Houses of Parliament in a joint session, this clause was removed by the 11th Constitutional Amendment in 1961.

Note: The Vice President holds a term of 5 years. The Vice-President can be removed from office by a resolution supported by all the then members of Rajya Sabha (effective majority) and agreed by a simple majority in the Lok Sabha. The notice of the intention to move such a resolution has to be given at least 14 days before said resolution.