July 22, 2025 – India’s Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar has resigned from office with immediate effect on July 21, 2025, citing ongoing health concerns and the need to follow medical advice.

Dhankhar, 74, who had been serving as India’s 14th Vice President since August 11, 2022, submitted his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu. His decision takes effect immediately.

In his resignation letter, Dhankhar expressed gratitude towards President Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Council of Ministers and MPs across party lines.

“I am deeply thankful for the invaluable experiences and insights I have gained as Vice President in our great democracy…. Serving in this transformative era of our nation’s history has been a true honor”, he wrote.

His resignation has created ripples through the political landscape. Opposition figures, notably Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, have commented that there is “more than meets the eye,” speculating whether factors beyond health might have influenced the decision.

The Congress also urged the Prime Minister to convince Dhankhar to change his mind.

Dhankhar's suddent resignation has created an immediate vacancy in the office of the Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chair. Until the Election Commission schedules a new election, under Article 67 of the Constitution, Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh is expected to preside over the proceedings

Official timelines have yet to be announced, but a by-election is expected in the near future.

Dhankhar has had health-related issues earlier this year, including a cardiac episode in March that led to his hospitalisation at AIIMS Delhi from March 9 to 12, where he underwent a cardiac procedure. There was the fainting spell in June this year while he was delivering a speech in Nainital. 

He, however, appeared to be in good health when presiding over the opening day of the monsoon session of the Rajya Sabha on Monday July 21.  

As the political ecosystem gears up for a new vice-presidential election, questions about potential candidates, procedural timelines and the broader implications for both the NDA and opposition coalitions are gaining prominence.