Introduction to the Indian Vice-Presidents for RRB Exams
In the context of Indian Polity and Governance, the office of the Vice-President of India holds immense significance. For aspirants preparing for the Railway Recruitment Board (RRB) exams such as RRB NTPC, Group D, and Technician posts, General Awareness is a high-scoring section. Questions related to Indian constitutional authorities, specifically the President, Prime Minister, and Vice-President, frequently appear in computer-based tests (CBT). This comprehensive guide covers everything an RRB aspirant needs to know about the Vice-President of India, including constitutional provisions, election procedures, powers, functions, and important previous years' questions.
Topic Weightage and Importance
Indian Polity forms a core component of the General Awareness syllabus for RRB exams. Within Polity, the Union Executive—comprising the President, Vice-President, Prime Minister, Council of Ministers, and Attorney General—accounts for nearly 20% to 25% of the total questions asked from Indian Governance. Candidates can expect 1 to 2 direct or indirect questions from the office of the Vice-President in both RRB NTPC (CBT 1 and CBT 2) and RRB Group D examinations. Mastery of this topic ensures you do not miss out on easy marks.
Key Concepts and Constitutional Provisions
The office of the Vice-President of India is modeled on the lines of the American Vice-President. In India, it is the second-highest constitutional office in the country. Let us look at the crucial constitutional articles associated with the Vice-President:
- Article 63: There shall be a Vice-President of India.
- Article 64: The Vice-President shall be the ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and shall not hold any other office of profit.
- Article 65: The Vice-President to act as President or to discharge his functions during casual vacancies in the office, or during the absence, of the President.
- Article 66: Election of Vice-President.
- Article 67: Term of office of Vice-President (5 years).
- Article 68: Time of holding election to fill vacancy in the office of Vice-President and the term of office of person elected to fill casual vacancy.
- Article 69: Oath or affirmation by the Vice-President (administered by the President or some person appointed on that behalf by him).
Qualifications for Election (Article 66(3))
To be eligible for election as Vice-President, a person must fulfill the following criteria:
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Must have completed the age of 35 years.
- Must be qualified for election as a member of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).
- Must not hold any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments.
Election Procedure and Electoral College
Unlike the President, whose electoral college includes elected members of both Houses of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies, the Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament (both elected and nominated members). State Legislative Assemblies do not participate in the Vice-Presidential election. The election is held in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote, and the voting is by secret ballot.
Solved Examples (Step-by-Step)
Let us practice some standard multiple-choice questions modeled on RRB examination patterns to solidify our understanding.
Example 1
Question: Who administers the oath of office to the Vice-President of India?
Solution: According to Article 69 of the Constitution of India, the oath or affirmation to the Vice-President is administered by the President of India or some person appointed on that behalf by the President. Therefore, the correct answer is the President of India.
Example 2
Question: The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of which of the following bodies?
Solution: As per Article 64, the Vice-President of India acts as the ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States, which is known as the Rajya Sabha. They do not hold any regular membership in the Rajya Sabha.
Example 3
Question: Can a person who has completed two terms as Vice-President be re-elected for a third term?
Solution: Yes. The Constitution of India does not place any restriction on the number of times a person can be elected to the office of the Vice-President. They are eligible for re-election as many times as they wish, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Confusing the Electoral College of the President with that of the Vice-President (remember that nominated members vote in the Vice-Presidential election, but not in the presidential election; conversely, state MLAs vote in presidential elections but not in vice-presidential elections).
- Forgetting that the Vice-President is NOT a member of either House of Parliament, even though they serve as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
- Mixing up the articles related to the President (Article 52 onwards) and Vice-President (Article 63 onwards).
Practice Questions with Solutions
Q1: Which Article of the Indian Constitution states that there shall be a Vice-President of India?
A) Article 61
B) Article 63
C) Article 66
D) Article 72
Q2: What is the minimum age required to contest the election for the Vice-President of India?
A) 25 years
B) 30 years
C) 35 years
D) 40 years
Q3: Who was the first Vice-President of independent India?
A) Dr. Zakir Hussain
B) V. V. Giri
C) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
D) B. J. M. Hidayatullah
Q4: To whom does the Vice-President of India submit their resignation letter?
A) Prime Minister
B) Chief Justice of India
C) Speaker of Lok Sabha
D) President of India
Q5: Can the Vice-President cast a vote during normal legislative proceedings in the Rajya Sabha?
A) Yes, like any other member.
B) No, they never have voting rights.
C) Yes, but only in the case of a tie (casting vote).
D) Yes, with the permission of the Prime Minister.
Answers to Practice Questions
Q1 - Answer: B (Article 63)
Article 63 explicitly states that there shall be a Vice-President of India.
Q2 - Answer: C (35 years)
A candidate must be at least 35 years of age to be eligible for the office of the Vice-President.
Q3 - Answer: C (Dr. S. Radhakrishnan)
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan served as the first Vice-President of India from 1952 to 1962.
Q4 - Answer: D (President of India)
Under Article 67(a), the Vice-President may resign their office by writing under their hand addressed to the President.
Q5 - Answer: C (Yes, but only in the case of a tie)
Being the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, the Vice-President does not vote in the first instance, but can exercise a casting vote in the case of an equality of votes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Are nominated members of Parliament allowed to vote in the Vice-Presidential election?
A: Yes. Unlike the Presidential election where only elected members participate, both elected and nominated members of the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha form the electoral college for the Vice-President.
Q: What happens if the office of the Vice-President falls vacant?
A: A vacancy can occur due to death, resignation, removal, or expiration of term. An election to fill a vacancy must be held as soon as possible after the occurrence of the vacancy, and the newly elected person serves a full five-year term.
Q: Does the Vice-President draw a salary as Vice-President?
A: No. The Vice-President does not draw a salary in their capacity as Vice-President. They draw a salary and allowances in their capacity as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, as prescribed by Parliament.
Conclusion and Final Tips
Mastering the office of the Indian Vice-President is essential for cracking the General Awareness section in RRB NTPC and Group D examinations. Make sure you memorize key articles (63 to 71), eligibility norms, and historical facts about past Vice-Presidents. Revise these concepts regularly, practice mock tests, and keep yourself updated with any recent constitutional appointments. Consistent practice and conceptual clarity will guarantee success in your railway career journey. Good luck!
