Archive · 23 Jul 2025
Overview of Indian Vice Presidential Elections: A Historical Analysis
Vice Presidential elections in India have often had multiple candidates, but sometimes, a person runs unopposed.
Out of the 16 elections, only four had only one candidate, meaning they won automatically.
Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, and Shankar Dayal Sharma were among those who won unopposed.
The elections involve members of parliament voting for their preferred candidate.
The winners are determined by getting the most votes.
In recent years, competition between candidates from different political parties has been high.
Only four of the 16 Indian Vice Presidential elections saw a sole candidate.
Mohammad Hidayatullah, Shankar Dayal Sharma, Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan were elected unopposed.
Two elections had multi-cornered contests for the Vice President post.
M Hamid Ansari and Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan both served two terms.
Recent elections have seen candidates from different political parties
- Who
- Vice Presidents of India, candidates, and the electorate (Members of Parliament).
- What
- Review of Indian Vice Presidential elections.
- When
- Elections have been held since India's independence.
- Where
- India.
- Why
- To elect the Vice President of India, a key constitutional role.
- Total Elections
- 16
- Elections Won Unopposed
- 4
- Multi-cornered fights
- 2
- First Vice President
- Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan
- Longest Serving Vice President
- Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan
