The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament, in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting in such election is by secret ballot. The Electoral College to elect a person to the office of the Vice-President consists of all members of both Houses of Parliament*.

2. The Vice-President is not a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of a Legislature of any state. If a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of a Legislature of any state is elected as Vice-President, he is deemed to have vacated his seat in that House on the date he/she enters his office as Vice-President.

3. A person cannot be elected as Vice-President unless he -

a. is a citizen of India;

b. has completed the age of 35 years, and

c. is qualified for election as a member of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).

i.e. he should be a citizen of India, 30 years of age and an elector of the Parliamentary constituency in a State or Union Territory which he seeks to be elected to represent.

A person is not also eligible if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or a State Government or any subordinate local authority.
4. An election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiry of the term of office of Vice-President is completed before the expiry of the term. In case a vacancy arises by reasons of death, resignation or removal or otherwise, the election to fill that vacancy is held as soon as possible after the occurrence**. The person so elected is entitled to hold office for a full term of 5 years from the date he enters office.
Superintendence of the Election of the Vice-President:

The Election Commission of India conducts the election to the office of the Vice-President.
Important Provisions relating to the Election of the Vice-President:

1. The election of the next Vice-President is to be held within 60 days of the expiry of the term of office of the outgoing Vice-President.

2. The Returning Officer usually appointed to conduct the Vice-Presidential elections is the Secretary-General of either House of the Parliament, by rotation. The Returning Officer issues a public notice of the intended election in a prescribed form, inviting nomination of candidates and specifies the place where the nomination papers are to be delivered.

Any person qualified to be elected and intending to stand for election as Vice-President is required to be nominated by at least 20 MPs as proposers and at least 20 MPs as seconders.
Nomination papers are to be presented to the Returning Officer at the place and upto the time and date, specified in the public notice. A maximum of 4 nomination papers by, or on behalf of, any candidate may be presented to, or accepted by, the Returning Officer.

3. A candidate seeking election as Vice-President is required to make a security deposit of Rs.15,000/-. This is the only amount that is required to be deposited by a candidate irrespective of the number of nomination papers filed on his behalf.

4. The nomination papers are scrutinised on the specified date by the Returning Officer in the presence of the candidate and his proposer or seconder and any one other person duly authorised.

5. Any candidate may withdraw his candidature by a notice in writing in a prescribed form delivered to the Returning Officer within the time specified.

6. In the election an elector has as many preferences as there are candidates. In casting his vote, an elector is required to record on his ballot paper the figure 1 at the space opposite the name of the candidate whom he chooses as his first preference and may, in addition, record as many subsequent preferences as he/she wishes by recording on his ballot paper the figures 2,3,4, and so on, in the space opposite the names of other candidates. The votes should be recorded in the international form of Indian numerals or in the Roman form or in the form of any Indian language but should not be indicated in words.

Every ballot paper represents one vote at each count. The procedure for counting votes consists of the following steps:

a. The number of first preference votes secured by each candidate is ascertained.
b. The numbers so ascertained are added up - the total is divided by two and one is added to the quotient disregarding any remainder. The resulting number is the quota sufficient for a candidate to secure his return at the election.

c. If at the end of the first or any subsequent count, the total number of votes credited to any candidate is equal to, or greater than the quota, that candidate is declared elected.
d. If at the end of any count, no candidate can be declared elected, then;

(a) the candidate who upto the stage has been credited with the lowest number of votes shall be excluded from the poll, and all his ballot papers will be again scrutinised, one by one, with reference to the second preference marked, if any, on them. These ballot papers will be transferred to the respective remaining (continuing) candidates for whom such second preferences have been marked thereon, and the value of votes of those ballot papers credited to such candidates. These ballot papers shall be transferred to the aforesaid continuing candidate. The ballot papers on which the second preference is not marked shall be treated as exhausted ballot papers and shall not be counted further, even if they contain third or any subsequent preference.

If at the end of this count, some candidate reaches the quota, he shall be declared elected.

(b) If at the end of the second count also, no candidate can be declared elected, the counting will proceed still further by exclusion of the candidate who is now lowest on the poll upto this stage. All his ballot papers, including the ballot papers which he might have received during the second count, will again be scrutinised with reference to the 'next available preference' marked on each of them. If on a ballot paper received by him in the first count, the second preference is marked for any of the continuing candidates, it shall be transferred to that candidate. If on any such ballot paper, the second preference is marked for the candidate who has already been excluded in the second round, such ballot paper shall be transferred with reference to the third preference, if any, for a continuing candidate. Similarly, the ballot papers received by him in the second round by way of transfer will also be scrutinised with reference to the third preference marked on them.

This process of exclusion of candidates lowest on the poll will be repeated till one of the continuing candidates reaches the quota.

7. After the election has been held and the votes have been counted, the Returning Officer declares the result of the election. Thereafter, he reports the result to the Central Government (Ministry of Law & Justice) and the Election Commission of India and the Central Government publishes the name of the person elected as Vice-President, in the Official Gazette.

Disputes regarding Election of the Vice-President:

1. All doubts and disputes arising in connection with the election of the Vice-President are enquired into and decided by the Supreme Court of India whose decision is final.

2. A petition challenging the election of the Vice-President is heard by a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court of India.

3. The petition has necessarily to be accompanied by a security deposit of Rs. 20,000/-.
Text of Oath of Affirmation by the Vice-President:

"I, ________ do swear in the name of God that I will bear true faith and allegiance to solemnly affirm the Constitution of India as by law established and that I will faithfully discharge the duty upon which I am about to enter."

*The electoral college for electing the President of India comprises of only the elected members of Parliament and State Legislative Assemblies.

**The Constitution provides an outer limit of six months (Article 62) for election to the office of the President of India under these circumstances

RADHAKRISHNAN, DR. SARVEPALLI
M.A, D. Litt. (Hony.), LL.D., D.C.L, Litt. D., D.L, F.R.S.L, F.B.A., Hony. Fellow, All Souls College (Oxford)
Born on:	September 5, 1888
Father's Name:	Shri S. Veerasamiah
Spouse's Name:	Shrimati S. Sivakamamma
Positions Held:
King George V Professor of Philosophy, Calcutta University, 1921-39 Vice - Chancellor of : (i) Andhra University, 1931-36 and (ii) Banaras Hindu University, 1939-48; Indian Ambassador Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to U.S.S.R., 1949-52 President/ Chairman of : (i) Indian Philosophical Congress, 1927 and 1950 (ii) Executive Board, UNESCO, 1948 (iii) University Education Commission, Government of India, 1948-49 (iv) UNESCO General Conference, 1952-54 and 1958 and (v) Buddha Jayanti Committee, 1956 Author of : (i) Philosophy of Rabindranath Tagore (ii) Reign of Religion in Contemporary Philosophy (iii) Indian Philosophy (iv) The Hindu View of Life (v) An Idealist View of Life (vi) East and West in Religion (vii) Kalki or the Future of Civilisation (viii) The Religion We Need (ix) Gautama the Buddha (x) Eastern Religions and Western Thought (xi) India and China (xii) Religion and Society (xiii) Education, Politics and War (xiv) Bhagavadgita (xv) Dhammapada (xvi) The Principal Upanishads (xvii) East and West: Some Reflections (xviii) Recovery of Faith (xix) A Source Book of Indian Philosophy, 1957 (xx) The Brahma Sutra (xxi) Occasional Speeches and Writings and (xxii) Articles on Indian Philosophy in Encyclopaedia Britannica Recipient of : Bharat Ratna, 1954 Vice-President of India and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha, 13.5.1952 to 12.5.1957 and 13.5.1957 to 12.5.1962; President of India, 13.5.1962 to 12.5.1967; Died on 17th April, 1975.

ZAKIR HUSAIN, DR.
M.A., Ph.D. (Berlin), D. Litt. (Honoris Causa) (Universities of Delhi, Aligarh, Allahabad, Calcutta and Cairo)
Born on:	February 8,1897
Father's Name:	Shri Fida Husain
Spouse's Name:	Shrimati Shahjehan Begum
Positions Held:
Vice-Chancellor of : (i) Jamia Millia lslamia, Delhi, 1926-48; and (ii) Aligarh Muslim University, 1948-56 President of: Hindustani Talimi Sangh Sevagram, 1938-50 Chairman of : (i) Basic National Education Committee, 1937 (ii) International Students Service, India Committee, 1955 (iii) World University Service, Geneva, 1955-57 and (iv) Central Board of Secondary Education, 1957 Author of : · Shiksha (Hindi) · Capitalism: an essay in understanding · Urdu translations of : · Plato's Republic · Fredrich List's National System of Economics and · Edwin Cannan's Elements of Economics · Lectures on the Scope and Method Economics (Hindustani Academy, U.P.) · Educational Discourses (Urdu) · Principles of Educational Reconstruction Patel Memorial Lectures · Ethics and the State (Mavalankar Memorial Lecture) · The Dynamic University; and · Abbokhan Ki Bakri (Urdu) Recipient of : (i) Padma Vibhushan, l954; and (ii) Bharat Ratna, 1963 Member, Rajya Sabha, 3-4-1952 to 2-4-1956 and 3-4-1956 to 6-7-1957 Governor of Bihar, 1957-62 Vice-President of India and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha, 13-5-1962 to 12-5-1967; President of India, 13-5-1967 to 3-5-1969 Died on 3-5-1969.

GIRI, SHRI VARAHAGIRI VENKATA
Barrister-at-Law, D. Litt. (Honoris Causa) (Banaras Hindu University and Andhra University), LL.D. (Honoris Causa) (Agra Universiity)
Born on:	August 10, 1894
Father's Name:	Shri Jogiah Pantulu
Spouse's Name:	Shrimati Sarasvathi Bai Giri
Positions Held:
Member of : (i) Central Legislative Assembly, 1934-37 and (ii) Madras Legislative Assembly, 1937-39 and 1946-47 Minister, holding portfolios of Labour, Industries, Cooperation and Commerce, Government of Madras, 1937-39 and 1946-47 Indian High Commissioner to Ceylon, 1947-51 Member, Lok Sabha, 1952-57 Union Minister of Labour, 1952-54 Governor of : · Uttar Pradesh, 1957-60, · Kerala, 1960-65 and · Mysore, 1965-67 Vice-President of India and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha, 13-5-1967 to 3-5-1969; Acting President, 3-5-1969 to 19-7-1969 President of India, 24-8-1969 to 23-8-1974; Recipient of Bharat Ratna, 1975. Died on 24th June,1980.
PATHAK, SHRI GOPAL SWARUP
M.A., LL.B.
Born on:	February 26, 1896
Father's Name:	Pandit Krishan Swarup Pathak
Spouse's Name:	Shrimati Prakashwati
Positions Held:
· Judge, Allahabad High Court, 1945-46; · Member, Rajya Sabha, 3-4-1960 to 2-4-1966 and 3-4-1966 to 13-5-1967 · Union Minister of Law, 1966-67 · Governor, Mysore State, 13-5-1967 to 31-8-1969; Chancellor of : (i) Mysore University, (ii) Bangalore University and (iii) Karnataka University; Vice-President of India and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha, 31-8-1969 to 30-8-1974. Died on 31st August, 1982. TOP

JATTI, SHRI BASAPPA DANAPPA
B-A., LL.B
Born on:	September,10, 1912
Father's Name:	Shri Danappa Jatti
Spouse's Name:	Shrimati Sangamma
Positions Held:
Member, erstwhile Princely State of Jamkhandi Legislature; Chief Minister, Jamknandi State for three years; Member, erstwhile Bombay Legislative Assembly; Parliamentary Secretary to the Chief Minister and Minister, holding portfolios of Health & Labour, Government of Bombay State: Member, erstwhile Mysore State Legislative Assembly, 1956 and 1967; Chief Minister and Minister, holding portfolios of Finance and Food. Government of Mysore State, 1958-66; Chairman, Land Reforms Committee, Mysore State; Lt. Governor, Pondicherry, 1968-72; Governor, Orissa, 1972-74: Vice-President of India and ex officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha, 31-8-1974 to 30-8-1979; Acting President, 12-2-1977 to 24-7-1977. Died on 7th June,2002.
HIDAYATULLAH, SHRI M
M.A., Barrister-at-law, LL.D. (Honoris Causa) (University of Philippines), D. Litt. (Honoris Causa) (Universities of Bhopal and Kakatiya);
Born on:	December 17, 1905
Father's Name:	Khan Bahadur Hafiz M. Wilayatuallah
Spouse's Name:	Shrimati Pushpa Shah
Positions Held:
Advocate-General, Central Provinces and Berar, 1943-46; Puisne Judge, 1946-54 Chief Justice, Nagpur High Court, 1954-56; Chief Justice, Madhya Pradesh High Court, 1956-58; Puisne Judge, Supreme Court of India, 1958-68; Chief Justice of India, 1968-70; President of : (i) Indian Law Institute, 1968-70, (ii) International Law Association (Indian Branch), 1968-70, (iii) Indian Society of International law, 1968-70 and (iv) Indian Red Cross Society, 1982; Author of : (i) Democracy in India and the Judicial Process, (ii) The South-West Africa Case, (iii) Judicial Methods, (iv) A Judge's Miscellany, (v) USA and India, (vi) A Judge's Miscellany (Second Series), (vii) The Fifth and Sixth Schedules to the Constitution of India, (viii) My Own Boswell (Autobiography) and (ix) Editor, Mulla's Mahomedan Law and Constitutional Law of India; Recipient of : (i) Order of the British Empire, 1946, (ii) Order of Yugoslav Flag with Sash, 1970, (iii) Medallion and Plaque of Merit Philconsa, Manila, 1970 and (iv) Knight of Mark Twain, 1971; Vice-President of India and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha, 31-8-1979 to 30-8-1984; Acting President of India, 20-7-1969 to 23-8-1969 and 6-10-1982 to 31-10-1982. Died on 18th September, 1992.
VENKATARAMAN, SHRI R
M.A., B.L., Doctorate of Laws (Honoris Causa) (Universities of Madras, Nagarjuna and Burdwan), Doctorate of Social Sciences (University of Roorkee)
Born on:	December 4. 1910
Father's Name:	Shri K. Ramaswami lyer
Spouse's Name:	Shrimati Janaki Venkataraman
Positions Held:
Member : (i) Provisional Parliament, 1950-52 and (ii) Lok Sabha. 1952-57, 1977-79 and 1980-84; (iii) Member, Madras Legislative Council, 1957-62 and 1962-67 Chairman, Public Accounts Committee, Lok Sabha; Minister holding portfolios of Industries, Labour, Cooperation, Power and Transport, Government of Madras, 1957-67; Leader of the House, Madras Legislative Council, 1957-67; Member, Planning Commission, 1967-71; Member, United Nations Administrative Tribunal, 1955-79 and its President, 1968-79; Union Minister holding portfolios of Finance and Defence, 1980-84 Chairman and President : Jury for the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding, International Jury for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Indian Institute of Public Administration; Recipient of : Tamra Patra' for participation in the Freedom Struggle, Soviet prize for travelogue on Shri K. Kamraj's visit to the Socialist countries, Souvenir by the Secretary-General, United Nations for distinguished service as President of the United Nations Administrative Tribunal and Title 'Sat Seva Ratna' by His Holiness Sankaracharya of Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham Vice-President of India and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha, 31-8-1984 to 24-7-1987. President of India, 25-7-1987 to 25-7-1992 Died on 27th January, 2009.

M.A., LLM,, Ph.D. (Cambridge University). Diploma in Public Administration (London), Bar-at-Law (Lincoln's Inn) Fellow, Harvard Law School, Zurich University and Paris University, Doctorate of Laws (Honoris Causa) (Universities of Vikram. Bhopal, Agra, Sri Venkateswara, Tirupati, Devi Ahilya Vishwavidhyalaya and Mauritius);
Born on:		August 19, 1918
Father's Name:		Pt. Khushilal Sharma Vaidya Shastri
Spouse's Name:		Shrimati Vimala Sharma
Positions Held:
Member, Bhopal Legislative Assembly, 1952-56; Chief Minister, erstwhile Bhopal State, 1952-56; Member, Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly, 1956-71: Minister. Government of Madhya Pradesh, 1956-67; Member, Lok Sabha, 1971-77 and 1980-84; Union Minister for Communications, 1974-77; Governor : (i) Andhra Pradesh, 1984-85, (ii) Punjab, 1985-86; and (iii) Maharashtra, 1986-87 Chairman : (i) International Jury for the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding, (ii) International Jury for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, (iii) National Committee for Dr. S. Radhakrishnan Centenary Celebration and (iv) National Committee for K.M. Munshi Centenary Celebrations Recipient of : Chakravarti Gold Medal for Social Service. Author of : (i) Congress Approach to International Affairs, (ii) Studies in Indo-Soviet Co-operation, (iii) Rule of Law and Role of Police, (iv) Readings in Indo-Soviet Friendship and Co-operation, (v) Jawaharlal Nehru : The Maker of Modern Commonwealth, (vi) Jawaharlal Nehru Selected Speeches and (vii) Eminent Indians Vice-President of India and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha, 3-9-1987 to 24-7-1992; President of India, 25-7-1992 to 25.7.1997. Died on 26th December, 1999.
NARAYANAN, SHRI K, R
M. A. (English Literature), First Class First, University of Travancore, Kera!a, B.Sc. (Economics), First Class Honours, London School of Economics;
Born on:		October 27, 1920
Father's Name:		Shri Kocheril Ramari Vaidyan
Spouse's Name:		Shrimati Usha Narayanan
Positions Held:
Lecturer. University of Travancore, 1943, Journalist with 'The Hindu' Madras and 'Times of India' Bombay, 1944-45; London Correspondent of 'Social Welfare'-a weekly from Bombay edited by Shri K.M, Munshi, 1945-48; Joined the Indian Foreign Service, 1949 and served with the Indian Missions in Rangoon, Tokyo. London, Australia and Hanoi and held different positions in the Ministry of External Affairs including its Secretary. Taught Economic Administration at Delhi School of Economics from 1954 to 1955 and headed the Oriental Centre for Foreign Technicians; India's Ambassador to : Thailand, 1967 to 1969 Turkey, 1973-1975 The People's Republic of China, 1976-1978; and United States of America, 1980-1984 Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, 1976 Vice-Chancellor of Jawaharlal Nehru University 1979-80 Member of Indian delegation to : (i) United Nations General Assembly, 1979. (ii) U.N. Security Council in November 1985 on Nambian Independence, (iii) Conference of Non-aligned Nations at Harare in 1986;and (iv) Special Session of the U.N. General Assembly in May 1986 on the critical situation in Africa. Elected to Lok Sabha, 1984, 1989 and 1991. Union Minister for : ( i) Planning, 1985. (ii) External Affairs. 1985-86 (iii) Science and Technology, Atomic Energy, Space, Electronics and Ocean Development Vice-President of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, 1986-89 Member/Honorary Fellow of : The Universal Academy of Cultures, Pans London School of Economics, London Jawaharial Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore; and Centre for Development Studies Kerala Recipient of : Doctor of Science {Honoris Causa), University of Toledo, USA Doctor of Laws (Honoris Causa), Australian National University, Canberra Australian National University has instituted an annual "K.R. Narayanan Oration". Jawaharlal Nehru Fellowship in 1970-72 of study of Nehru's Non-alignment. President of: (i) Indian Institute of Public Administration; and (ii) Ramakrishna Mission Institute. Chancellor of : · Delhi University, · Panjab University, · Pondicherry University, · Assam University, · North-Eastern Hill University; and · Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed University); Visitor of: Makhanlal Chaturvedi Rashtriya Patrakarita Vishwavidyala Sansthan, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. Chairman of : Jury of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding, International Jury for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, The Advisory Committee for the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award, The Jury for International Gandhi Award for Leprosy, The Jury for Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar, The Jury for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Award for Social Understanding and Upliftment of Weaker Sections, The Jury for Dr. Ambedkar International Award for Social Change; and Jury for G.D. Birla Awards for Humanism, India's Heritage and Culture and Rural Upliftment; Author of : (i) "India and America. Essays in Understanding", (ii) "Images and Insights" and (iii) ''Non-alignment in Contemporary International Relations" (Joint Authorship) Vice-President of India and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha from 21.8.92 to 24.7.97; President of India from 25.7.97 to 25.7.2002 Died on 9-11-2005.
SHRI KRISHAN KANT
M.Sc. (Technology) from the Banaras Hindu University, he worked as a Scientist with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi.
Born on:	February 28, 1927
Father's Name:	Lala Achint Ram
Spouse's Name:	Shrimati Suman Krishan Kant
Positions Held:
Member of : Rajya Sabha, from 1966 -1977 Lok Sabha 1977-1980 Secretary of : The Indian Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, of which Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru was the President and Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri was the Chairman. (He was the Editor of the Quarterly Journal "Science in Parliament".) Chairman of : Committee on Railway Reservations and Bookings, 1972 -1976. Founder General Secretary of : The People's Union for Civil Liberties and Democratic Rights in 1976. He held prominent offices in the Parliamentary and Organisational wings of Congress Party and later the Janata Party and the Janata Dal. He was a member of the Executive Council, for several years, of the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses. Governor of: · Andhra Pradesh,7.2.1990- 21.8.1997 · Tamil Naidu, 22.12.1996- 25.1.1997(Additional Charge) Chancellor of : · Delhi University, · Panjab University, · Pondicherry University, · Assam University, · North-Eastern Hill University and · Gandhigram Rural Institute (Deemed University); Chairman of : Jury of the Jawaharlal Nehru Award for International Understanding, International Jury for the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development, The Advisory Committee for the Rajiv Gandhi Sadbhavana Award, The Jury for International Gandhi Award for Leprosy, The Jury for Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar, The Jury for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Award for Social Understanding and Upliftment of Weaker Sections, The Jury for Dr. Ambedkar International Award for Social Change. Vice-President of India and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha from 21.8.1997 to 27.7.2002. Died on 27-07-2002(In Office).

SHRI BHAIRON SINGH SHEKHAWAT

Father's Name:	Late Shri Devi Singh Shekhawat
Mother's Name:	Late Smt. Bane Kanwar
Date of Birth:	23rd October 1923
Place of Birth:	Village Khachariawas, District Sikar (Rajasthan)
Marital Status:	Married
Spouse's Name:	Smt. Suraj Kanwar
Children:	One daughter
Profession:	Farmer and Agriculturist
Permanent Address:	72, Gaurav Nagar, Civil Lines, Jaipur - 302 006 (Rajasthan) Telephone - 0141-2225487
Present Address:	31, Aurangzeb Road, New Delhi.
Positions Held :	1952-1972 Member, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly; 1974-1977 Member, Rajya Sabha (Council of States); 1977-2002 Member, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly; 22nd June 1977 - 15th February 1980 Chief Minister of Rajasthan (First term); 15th July 1980 - 30thDecember 1989 Leader of the Opposition, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly; 4th March 1990 - 15th December 1992 Chief Minister of Rajasthan (Second term); 4th December 1993 - 1st December 1998 Chief Minister of Rajasthan (Third term); 8th January 1999 - 18th August 2002 Leader of the Opposition, Rajasthan Legislative Assembly; and 19th August 2002 - 21st July 2007 Vice-President of India and ex-officio Chairman, Rajya Sabha. Died on 15th May, 2010.

Mohammad Hamid Ansari (born April 1, 1934) is the current Vice President of India. He is a former chairman of the National Commission for Minorities (NCM).[1] He is also an academician, a career diplomat, and a former Vice-Chancellor of the University. He was elected the 13th Vice President of India on 10 August 2007 and took office on 11 August 2007.

Childhood:
Ansari was born in Kolkata on April 1, 1934 though his family belongs to Ghazipur in Uttar Pradesh. He is the grand nephew of former Congress President and freedom fighter Mukhtar Ahmad Ansari. He studied at Shimla's St. Edwards High School, the St. Xavier's College of the University of Calcutta and at the Aligarh Muslim University.

Ansari started his career as a civil servant in the Indian Foreign Service in 1961. He was Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations, Indian High Commissioner to Australia and Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia. He was awarded the Padma Shree in 1984. He was also the Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University from May 2000 to March 2002. He is known for his role in ensuring compensation to the victims of the Gujarat riots and pushing for a complete re-look into the relief and rehabilitation for riot victims since 1984.

Other Activities:
Ansari is a renowned West Asia scholar and has written trenchantly on the Palestinian issue and taken positions inconvenient to the Indian official line on Iraq and Iran. He questioned India’s vote in the International Atomic Energy Agency on Iran’s nuclear programe where India voted against Iran. He said that though the Indian Government claimed to have acted on "its own judgment," this was not borne out by facts.

Ansari was the chairman of a working group on "Confidence building measures across segments of society in the State," established by the Second Round Table Conference of the Prime Minister on Jammu and Kashmir in 2006. The report of the working group was adopted by the Third Round Table in April 2007. Among other things, the report advocates recognizing the right of Kashmiri Pandits to return to “places of their original residence.” This right, it argued, should be recognized without any ambiguity and made a part of state policy.

Ansari became the chairman of India's National Commission for Minorities (NCM) on 6 March, 2006. In June 2007, Ansari, in his capacity as NCM chairman, upheld the decision of India's premier educational institution, St. Stephens College, to earmark a small percentage of seats for Dalit Christians. Ansari resigned as NCM chairman soon after his nomination for the post of India's Vice President.

VICE PRESIDENT ELECTION-2007
On July 20, 2007, Ansari was named by the UPA-Left, the ruling coalition in India, as its candidate for the post of Vice President for the upcoming election. When asked, Ansari said he felt "humbled" over the UPA-Left decision naming him as their candidate. "I am humbled by the confidence reposed in me". Ansari refused to say more when asked about his prospects in the August 10 election.

Ansari secured 455 votes, and won the election by a margin of 233 votes against his nearest rival Najma Heptullah in the Vice-President Election.