The Vice President is the second-highest constitutional office in India and serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. This list pairs closely with the Presidents list, since several Vice Presidents went on to become President.
| # | Vice President | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan | 1952–1962 |
| 2 | Dr. Zakir Husain | 1962–1967 |
| 3 | V. V. Giri | 1967–1969 |
| 4 | G. S. Pathak | 1969–1974 |
| 5 | B. D. Jatti | 1974–1979 |
| 6 | M. Hidayatullah | 1979–1984 |
| 7 | R. Venkataraman | 1984–1987 |
| 8 | Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma | 1987–1992 |
| 9 | K. R. Narayanan | 1992–1997 |
| 10 | Krishan Kant | 1997–2002 |
| 11 | Bhairon Singh Shekhawat | 2002–2007 |
| 12 | Mohammad Hamid Ansari | 2007–2017 |
| 13 | M. Venkaiah Naidu | 2017–2022 |
| 14 | Jagdeep Dhankhar | 2022–present |
Key facts
- First Vice President: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan, who served two terms and then became President.
- Vice Presidents who later became President: Radhakrishnan, Zakir Husain, V. V. Giri, R. Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma and K. R. Narayanan.
- Only Vice President to serve two full terms: Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan.
- The Vice President is elected by an electoral college of both Houses of Parliament and is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Because office-holders change, always confirm the current Vice President against an official source before your exam. For polity, remember the Vice President’s role under Articles 63–71 and the overlap with the Presidents list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the first Vice President of India?
Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was the first Vice President (1952-1962) and later became the second President of India.
What is the main role of the Vice President of India?
The Vice President is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and acts as President when that office falls vacant, subject to constitutional limits.
Which Vice Presidents later became President of India?
Radhakrishnan, Zakir Husain, V. V. Giri, R. Venkataraman, Shankar Dayal Sharma and K. R. Narayanan all became President after serving as Vice President.