Jagdeep Dhankhar Steps Down as Vice President of India Citing Health Concerns Ahead of Parliament Session.

On 21 July 2025, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned from his position mid-term, citing health concerns and medical advice, under Article 67(a) of the Constitution of India. His resignation, effective immediately, creates an early vacancy ahead of the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament.

      - In his resignation letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Jagdeep Dhankhar cited Article 67(a) of the Constitution of India, which permits a Vice President to resign from office at any time by submitting a written letter to the President. As per constitutional procedure, the Vice President’s post is now considered officially vacant, and a new Vice Presidential election will be held by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to appoint his successor.

      - Born on 18 May 1951 in Kithana, Rajasthan, Jagdeep Dhankhar is a lawyer-turned-politician. He assumed office as the 14th Vice President and ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on 11 August 2022, after previously serving as Governor of West Bengal (2019–2022) and as a Minister of State in Parliamentary Affairs (1990–1991).

      - Dhankhar stepped down following advice to prioritize his well-being. He had previously been hospitalized at All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, for cardiac-related ailments from 9–12 March 2025, under Dr Rajiv Narang in the Critical Care Unit (CCU), and suffered a brief fainting episode during a June event at Kumaon University, Nainital.

Main Point :-   (i) Jagdeep Dhankhar’s resignation, announced as the Monsoon Session began, garnered mixed political reactions. He expressed gratitude to President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Council of Ministers, and Members of Parliament for their cooperation and support. Meanwhile, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the timing as “unexpected” and implied that “more than meets the eye.”

      (ii) With the Vice President resigning mid-term, the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha will temporarily preside over sessions. The Election Commission of India is required to schedule an early vice-presidential election to fill the vacancy. The next term is scheduled to last until mid-2027.

(iii) During his tenure, Dhankhar played a key role in parliamentary reforms, such as expanding the vice-chair panel, and represented India internationally. He expressed that chairing the Vice-President’s office provided “invaluable insights into India’s democratic system,” and characterized it as a privilege during a transformative national phase.