Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who also presided as ex-officio Chair of the Rajya Sabha, resigned today citing ongoing health issues. In his resignation letter under Article 67(a), he stated that medical advice necessitated prioritizing his “health care” and declared the move effective immediately upon submission to President Droupadi Murmu.

Dhankhar, a senior advocate-turned-politician, assumed the vice presidency on August 11, 2022, after serving as West Bengal Governor and rising in national prominence. In his letter, he thanked President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and cabinet ministers for their “invaluable” cooperation and cherished warm relations with Members of Parliament.

Highlighting his tenure, Dhankhar celebrated India’s “remarkable economic progress” and “phenomenal” rise on the global stage, calling his time in office an immense privilege. The announcement coincides with the first day of Parliament’s Monsoon Session, where the opposition had raised motions—including the removal of Justice Yashwant Varma—under his chairmanship.

His resignation triggers the constitutional process for a vice‑presidential by‑election, which must be held “as soon as possible”. As political parties gear up to nominate candidates, the Upper House will be led by an interim chair pending the election’s outcome.