As Jagdeep Dhankhar suddenly resigned as the Vice President of India on Monday evening, Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha will step in as the Acting Chairperson of the Upper House of Parliament, as per the rules of the Constitution.

Currently, the position is held by Harivansh Narayan Singh, who was appointed in August 2022. He will fulfil the role temporarily until the election of the next Vice President of India. According to the Constitution, the Vice President is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Dhankhar resigned from his position citing health reasons. “To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, by Article 67(a) of the constitution," he said in his letter to the President.

What’s Next After Jagdeep Dhankhar’s Resignation?

• Resignation Made (July 21, 2025)
• Harivansh Narayan Singh to begin as Acting Rajya Sabha chairperson.
• Election timetable to be set by the Election Commission.
• BJP-led NDA and INDIA bloc will announce their candidates in the coming days.
• MPs will cast their vote. Single Transferable Vote system ensures majority support — MPs rank candidates by preference.
• The new Vice President will assume office after results are declared.

Process of Election Of Vice President

A formal election to fill the vacancy must be held within 60 days of the resignation. The electorate comprises all members of both Houses of Parliament, using a proportional representation system via single transferable vote.

The election of the Vice President must be held before September 19, 2025. The MPs will cast a single transferable vote with a secret ballot. A Returning Officer is appointed to oversee the process. Only Members of Parliament (MPs) can vote in the election of the Vice President – both from Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House), including nominated members.

The Members of the State Legislative Assemblies (MLAs) do not vote to elect the Vice President.