Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigns with immediate effect, citing health-related reasons

Jagdeep Dhankhar, India’s incumbent Vice-President, has resigned from his position—in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Constitution—effective immediately, stating that the need to prioritise his health and abide by medical advice has made it necessary to step down from his post, according to his resignation letter submitted to the President on Monday, on the first day of the Parliament’s monsoon session.

In his resignation letter, Dhankhar extended gratitude to President Draupadi Murmu for her unwavering support and “the soothing, wonderful working relationship” the two maintained during Dhankhar’s tenure. The Vice-President also expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Council of Ministers. “The Prime Minister’s cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have learned much during my time in the office,” read his letter. He also mentioned the warmth, affection, and trust he received from all the parliamentarians, which, he believes, “would be cherished and embedded in my memory.”

Dhankhar looked back at his tenure as a period full of insights and privilege. “Serving in this transformative era of our nation’s history has been a true honour,” he said, adding that it had been satisfying to witness and partake in India’s economic progress. Aged 74 and trained as a lawyer, Dhankhar succeeded Venkaiah Naidu to become the 14th Vice-President of India in 2022. He won the election against Margaret Alva, the United Opposition’s candidate.

Before assuming the position of Vice-President, Dhankhar served as the Governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022. During the Chandra Shekhar ministry, Dhankhar served as the Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs from 1990 to 1991. He was a member of parliament, representing the Jhunjhunu constituency, during the ninth Lok Sabha from 1989 to 1991. He was later elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from Kishangarh, Rajasthan, serving from 1993 to 1998 in the 10th Legislative Assembly of Rajasthan.

As the Vice President, Dhankhar also served as the chair of the Rajya Sabha. On Monday, despite the Upper House of the Parliament being in session on the first day of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament, there was no indication that Dhankhar’s resignation was imminent.