C.P. Radhakrishnan Elected as the 15th Vice-President of India

The Constitutional Steady Hand: C.P. Radhakrishnan Takes the Helm as India’s 15th Vice-President

On September 10, 2025, C.P. Radhakrishnan assumed office as India’s 15th Vice-President after securing a decisive victory in a tightly contested electoral process. With the second-highest constitutional post, his new role is both ceremonial and deeply connected to legislative oversight as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. While this election followed the established process outlined in Article 66 of the Indian Constitution, it also raises questions about the evolving political optics surrounding this office.

The Centrality of the Vice-President’s Role

Established under Article 63, the Vice-President of India reconciles dual responsibilities: ceremonial dignity and active operational leadership. As per Article 64, the Vice-President serves as the Rajya Sabha’s Chairman, wielding the authority to regulate debates, ensure decorum, and facilitate legislation. Moreover, Article 65 grants the Vice-President emergency powers to act as the President in situations like resignation, death, or impeachment of the incumbent.

Notably, the position carries significant constitutional heft during moments of national crisis. For example, in the absence of the President, the Vice-President assumes full presidential powers, including financial allocations, emergency proclamations, and diplomatic representation. The five-year tenure, defined under Article 66, ensures continuity but allows flexibility for resignation or removal, again underscoring the sensitivity of this role.

Election to this post demands rigorous constitutional adherence: candidates must secure majority votes through the Single Transferable Vote (STV) system from an Electoral College comprising Parliament members, including nominated ones. State legislatures, conspicuously excluded from this election, highlight the central-focus design of this office—located firmly within Parliament’s domain.

Why Radhakrishnan’s Election Matters

Radhakrishnan brings an expansive career profile, including multiple Lok Sabha terms and leadership stints with Tamil Nadu BJP. In an era defined by contentious parliamentary proceedings—with disruptions accounting for 40% downtime during the monsoon session of 2024—his task as Rajya Sabha Chairman will be crucial for restoring legislative productivity. Similarly, his leadership will be central in steering consensus on divisive issues like the Uniform Civil Code or interstate water-sharing arrangements.

The Vice-President also inherits responsibilities linked to institutional modernization. After the Vice-President’s Pension Act, 1997 revised perquisites, including Rs 4 lakh monthly salary and extended benefits for former incumbents, the role requires symbolic integrity amid rising scrutiny over executive expenditures. Yet, this remains peripheral compared to his deeper legislative responsibility.

The Case for Optimism

Supporters argue Radhakrishnan’s tenure could mark a bridging moment between polarized legislative factions. His deep familiarity with southern regional politics adds a crucial mediator’s perspective, particularly relevant in addressing state-specific demands in Parliament. Additionally, the Chairman’s ability to rule on procedural challenges makes him key to Parliament’s regulatory health—a power especially relevant given the increasing misuse of adjournment motions.

Structurally, India’s Vice-Presidential design itself draws praise. The use of the STV system ensures proportional representation of political power within the Electoral College—a safeguard against majoritarian excess. Mechanisms like Article 71, assigning judicial oversight to the Supreme Court for resolving election disputes, add layers of accountability rare even in global political processes.

Institutional Skepticism: The Limits of the Office

Despite its constitutional significance, the Vice-President operates within stark limitations. As Rajya Sabha Chairman, Radhakrishnan controls debate mechanics but lacks interventionist power on policy matters. This procedural rigidity often reduces the role to managing decorum rather than steering meaningful legislative reform. The irony here is sharp: a high pedestal but shallow waters.

Moreover, successive Vice-Presidents have struggled to balance their nonpartisan mandate with previous political affiliations. Critics often flag the symbolic contradictions—the office demands neutrality, but election pathways fueled by parliamentary majorities inevitably introduce bias. This mirrors broader concerns about the politicization of constitutional roles in India’s federal structure.

Financially, significant salary hikes—from Rs 1.25 lakh to Rs 4 lakh in 2018—have sparked debate on value-for-cost concerning ceremonial functions. Is there room for reforming these provisions, or does it distract from substantive governance concerns?

Lessons from the United States

Globally, Vice-Presidential models vary significantly. The United States—often cited for institutional parallels—follows a sharper political definition. The US Vice-President doubles as Senate President but actively participates in policy advocacy. Interestingly, Kamala Harris cast 30 tie-breaking votes between 2021 and 2025, demonstrating the office’s interventionist potential.

By comparison, India's strictly procedural definition restricts comparable active engagement—highlighting different governance philosophies. While this avoids overreach, it also risks reducing the role to symbolic inertia during pivotal national moments.

Balancing Optimism with Realism

It is too early to predict how Radhakrishnan will navigate his tenure. The immediate challenge lies in balancing the dual imperative of neutrality and productive regulation, especially when parliamentary polarization remains acute. Rajya Sabha functioning improved marginally—up 7% in productivity since the last quarter—but whether this trend continues depends on bridging political gaps effectively.

Radhakrishnan’s election reiterates the need for examining structural reforms. Should the Vice-President leverage more active powers within legislative decision-making, akin to international models, or stick strictly to constitutional safeguards? This tension will likely define his legacy.

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