Vice-President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday (July 21, 2025) tendered his resignation to President Droupadi Murmu, citing medical advice, and in order to prioritise health care

“I hereby resign as the Vice President of India, effective immediately, in accordance with Article 67(a) of the constitution,” he said in a statement posted on social media.

“I extend my deepest gratitude to Your Excellency the Hon’ble President of India for her unwavering support and the soothing wonderful working relationship we maintained during my tenure I express my deep gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister and the esteemed Council of Ministers. Prime Minister’s cooperation and support have been invaluable, and I have leamed much during my time in office,” he added.

His resignation comes just as the Parliament has commenced its Monsoon Session, with the Vice President assuming the role of Chair of Rajya Sabha.

Mr. Dhankhar was sworn in as the Vice President of India on August 11, 2022

Known for his highly visible tenure as West Bengal Governor with his frequent run-ins with Trinamool Congress (TMC), Mr Dhankhar was declared elected as the Vice President on August 6 after he secured 528 votes against his Opposition’s joint candidate Margaret Alva who managed only 182 votes.

He had a long legal career at the Supreme Court and the Rajasthan High Court and a brief stint as a Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Minister at the Centre in the Chandrashekhar government.

Mr Dhankhar, who had been associated with the Janata Dal and the Congress, joined the BJP only in 2008 after a gap of almost 10 years. He has championed issues related to Other Backward Classes, including the grant of OBC status to the Jat community in Rajasthan.

While announcing his candidature for the vice presidential election, the BJP described him as a “kisan putra,” a move seen as reaching out to the politically significant Jat community which had participated in huge numbers in the year-long farmers’ protests.