Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns as Vice President of India Citing Health Concerns

NEW DELHI– In a surprising development, Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar announced his resignation from the office of the Vice President of India on Monday, citing health reasons and the need to prioritize medical care. The resignation, effective immediately, was submitted to President Droupadi Murmu in accordance with Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution.

Dhankhar, 74, who assumed office as the 14th Vice President on August 11, 2022, also served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

 In his resignation letter, he expressed gratitude to President Murmu for her “unwavering support” and described their working relationship as “soothing and wonderful.” He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Council of Ministers for their “invaluable cooperation and support” during his tenure.

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“To prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately,” Dhankhar stated in his letter, which was shared on the official X handle of the Vice President of India.

He reflected on his tenure as a period of “privilege and satisfaction,” highlighting India’s “remarkable economic progress and unprecedented exponential development” during his term. “Serving in this transformative era of our nation’s history has been a true honour,” he added.

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Dhankhar, a senior advocate and former Governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022, noted that the “warmth, trust, and affection” from Members of Parliament would remain “cherished and embedded” in his memory.

He expressed pride in “Bharat’s global rise” and conveyed confidence in the nation’s future.The resignation comes amid the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, which Dhankhar chaired on its first day. His departure has sparked discussions in political circles, especially given his recent statement on July 10, 2025, at Jawaharlal Nehru University, where he indicated he would retire in August 2027, “subject to divine intervention.”

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The sudden decision has led to speculation about the underlying health concerns, though no specific details were disclosed.As per constitutional provisions, the Deputy Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha, currently Harivansh Narayan Singh, will temporarily assume the role of Acting Chairperson of the Upper House.

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

Dhankhar’s tenure was marked by his active engagement as Rajya Sabha Chairman and notable confrontations, including an unsuccessful Opposition-led impeachment motion. His resignation marks a significant shift in India’s political landscape, with the process for electing a successor now set to begin.