Major Functions of the Vice President

The Vice President of India is the most dignitary and powerful position after the President. There are specific mentions of the election process, specific functions, and the vice president’s powers in the constitutional amendments and articles. According to this provision, the Vice President holds the responsibility as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The Vice President collectively holds Charge and command over various segments of the political system of India. Due to this, the election process of the Vice President of India is one of the closed processes of the union council. It takes place with specific strict eligibility and criterion regulations. 

Functions Of The Vice President Of India

In the constitution of India, there are specific mentions about the significant function and power of the Vice President active without becoming officiating President during their Service tenure. Article 63 to 71 of constitutional provision part V discusses the details of the functions, powers, election, and removal criteria of the Vice President of India. Below are the details about the function of the Vice President of India:

• After the election and affirmation process, the vice president holds Charge of one of the houses of Parliament. Vice President of India attains the Charge as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. In Rajya Sabha, the vice president’s function is identical to the speaker in Lok Sabha. 
• Due to unavoidable circumstances, if the President of India cannot hold the Charge, then the Vice President will officiate as the President and hold their Charge with all the powers to take decisions. The tenure to act as a president is around 6 months until the next presidential election. 
• According to India’s constitutional provisions, the Vice President is not a listed member of the Rajya Sabha and does not attain any powers related to the Rajya Sabha membership. The Vice President does not have the right to Vote but can only provide a casting vote in any situation.
• When the vice president is serving as the substitute President, their Charge over Rajya Sabha as the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha will be dissolved.  

Eligibility Of The Vice President

The constitutional provision Article 73 deals with the mention of the candidate’s eligibility to be the Vice President of India. There is a specific mention of all the terms and conditions of being a nominee for Vice President of India. The candidate for Vice President of India must be a permanent citizen of India and be at least 35 years of age. 

The candidate should attain the eligibility to attain permanent membership in Rajya Sabha. But do not hold any member of any of the houses of the Parliament because, after the election, they will hold the Charge as ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. Additionally, the candidate must not hold any profitable position in a state or union council and local or public authority. The candidate is eligible for the position of Vice President when 20 members from each house of the Parliament nominate them as electoral and secondary, respectively. 

The Criticised Aspect Of The Vice President Position In India

The Vice President of India is the second most powerful position in India. Though the powers and functions of the President are according to the constitutional articles and amendments in India, a specific aspect of this position is criticised by intellectuals. Many political experts and socialists mention many criticised aspects relative to the positioning and power of the Vice President of India. Below are specific mentions:

• The idea and post of Vice President are adopted by the American constitutional and political structure. But the powers and functions differ in the American political system. 
• The Vice President officiates as the President as a substitute in such situations when the President is unable to hold Charge. In the American Political system, the Vice President is immediately appointed as the President in such situations.
• The removal process of the Vice President of India is quite simple and does not require any impeachment as the President’s post attains. 
• The Vice President does not have powers close to President but only holds the position of ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha and power similar to the speaker of Lok Sabha. 

Conclusion

The Vice President in India constantly acts as the Deputy President of India. The post and powers of the Vice president were generated in the constitution of India in 1950. The constitution has brief mentions about the vice president’s position, powers, and election procedure. The Vice President can attain this position multiple times through elections and hold the position of ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha. The service period of the Vice President of India is for 5 years, and the tenure for election is around 60 days after the discharge of duties by the Vice President of India.