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27 Nov 2023
GS Paper 2
Polity & Governance
Day 07 : Analyse the role and significance of the Vice President in India's constitutional framework and assess the effectiveness of checks and balances in upholding the office's integrity and accountability. (250 Words)
- Briefly introduce the role of the Vice President in India, highlighting key constitutional provisions and the primary functions associated with the office.
- Discuss the role of significance of the Vice President in India’s constitutional framework and the effectiveness of checks and balances in upholding the office’s integrity and accountability.
- Conclude Suitably.
Introduction
In the constitutional framework of India, the Vice President holds a significant and multifaceted role. The Vice President serves as the second-highest constitutional functionary in the country, and the position is outlined in Part V of the Constitution of India.
Body
The role and significance of the Vice President in India’s constitutional framework can be analysed from the following perspectives:
- The Vice President acts as the President in case of vacancy in the office of the President due to death, resignation, impeachment or otherwise. He also performs the
duties of the President when he is unable to discharge his functions due to absence, illness or any other cause. - As the chairman (ex officio) of the Rajya Sabha, he presides over the sessions of the upper house and regulates its proceedings. The Vice President also has the
casting vote in case of a tie in the Rajya Sabha. - As a constitutional dignitary, the Vice President represents the nation in various national and international events and functions. The Vice President also receives
foreign dignitaries and heads of states on behalf of the President.
The effectiveness of checks and balances in upholding the office’s integrity and accountability can be assessed from the following aspects:
- The Vice President is also accountable to the Parliament for his actions and conduct as the chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He can be removed from his office as the
chairman by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha passed by a majority of all the then members and agreed to by the Lok Sabha. - The Vice President is also bound by the oath or affirmation of his office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law and to faithfully discharge the duty of his office.
- He is also subject to the judicial review by the Supreme Court of India in case of any dispute regarding his election or any question of law or fact arising out of his functions.
Conclusion
Thus, the Vice President of India plays a vital role in the constitutional framework of the country and is subject to various checks and balances to ensure his/her integrity and accountability.
