Five Vice Presidents of India Who Resigned Early: Jagdeep Dhankhar Joins a Rare List

In a move that has caused political convulsions around India, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned on July 21, 2025, for health reasons. Dhankhar's resignation came on the first day of the Monsoon Session of Parliament and has stunned political circles across the country, raising suspicions about the timing, motives, and precedents involved. With his resignation, Dhankhar becomes just the third Vice President in India's independent history to resign before the end of a term.

A Rare Constitutional Exit

Having been sworn in in August of 2022, Dhankhar was known for his aggressive and confrontational position as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, frequently clashing over the raising of Questions and not allowing comments on government policies. Most recently, he was faced with an unprecedented impeachment motion, which was also India's first about a sitting vice president. The motion was ultimately discarded. Dhankhar stated that there were various medical issues, and his recent angioplasty was the primary reason for his resignation.

Previous Vice Presidents Who Resigned Mid-Term

V. V. Giri (1967–1969): Giri resigned to contest the presidency soon after the untimely death of President Zakir Husain. Giri contested as an independent candidate and eventually secured the highest constitutional position.

Bhairon Singh Shekhawat (2002–2007): Resigned after an unsuccessful presidential bid. His departure was self-induced and was a political decision.

R. Venkataraman (1984–1987): Resigned from the office of Vice President to contest for President, which he won, thus upholding the tradition of using the role as a stepping stone to the presidency.

S. Radhakrishnan (1952–1962): Even though he completed his term, he is an important figure in this area, as he moved on to the position of President, thus establishing the precedent of Indian Vice Presidents eventually moving to occupy India’s highest constitutional office.

Political Fallout and Interim

The resignation occurs in a politically charged environment. The Constitution provides for no provision of an acting Vice President; therefore, Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh will merely preside over the proceedings until the new Vice President is elected.

Opposition leaders referred to the resignation as "unexpected" and "strategically timed," while the BJP asserted that it is easily attributable only to health reasons. The wider context involving the parliamentary turbulence, the controversial use of his office by Dhankhar, and confrontations with the opposition benches could be interpreted as having added intrigue to the events unfolding.