Removal of the Vice-President

Polity & Governance glossary

Also called: Article 67(b) · Topic: Union Executive: President, Vice-President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers · NCERT: Class 11, Ch 4 "Executive"; Class 11, Ch 5 "Legislature"

Meaning

Under Art. 67(b), the Vice-President can be removed by a Rajya Sabha resolution passed by a majority of all its then members, which is more than half of its full strength at that time. Members must give 14 days' notice first. The Lok Sabha must then agree to the resolution. No grounds are needed, and only the Rajya Sabha can start the process. It is much easier than impeaching the President.

Example

In December 2024, members gave the first-ever notice to remove Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha rejected it.

Don't confuse with

  • Impeachment of the President (Art. 61): it needs the ground of "violation of the Constitution", can start in either House, and must pass by two-thirds of the total membership of each House. Removing the Vice-President needs no grounds, a lower majority, and can start only in the Rajya Sabha.

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