India is preparing for its 17th Vice-Presidential election, scheduled for September 9, 2025, following the resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar due to health concerns. The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the election schedule, with the notification to be issued on August 7, and the last date for filing nominations being August 21. The scrutiny of nominations will occur on August 22, and candidatures can be withdrawn until August 25.

The Vice President of India is elected by an Electoral College comprising members of both Houses of Parliament. This includes elected and nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, and elected members of the Lok Sabha. The election is conducted through a system of proportional representation using a single transferable vote, with voting done by secret ballot.

Historically, most Vice-Presidential elections in India have been contested. Out of the 16 elections held so far, only four have resulted in uncontested wins. These occurred in 1952, 1957, 1979, and 1987.

• Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan (1952 & 1957): India's first Vice President, Radhakrishnan, won both his terms without opposition. In 1952, Janab Shaik Khadir Hussain's nomination was rejected, leaving Radhakrishnan as the sole candidate.
• Mohammad Hidayatullah (1979): The former Chief Justice of India was unanimously elected due to consensus among political parties.
• Shankar Dayal Sharma (1987): The then-Governor of Maharashtra secured an uncontested victory, assuming office on September 3, 1987. In this election a total of 27 candidates filed nominations, but after scrutiny, only Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma had a valid nomination.

Other Vice-Presidential elections have seen varied levels of competition. For instance, the 2007 election saw a triangular contest between M. Hamid Ansari (UPA candidate), Najma Heptullah (NDA nominee), and Rasheed Masood (Third Front nominee). Ansari won this election and was re-elected in 2012, defeating BJP nominee Jaswant Singh. In 2017, M. Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) defeated Gopalkrishna Gandhi (UPA). The 2022 election saw Jagdeep Dhankhar (NDA) defeat Margaret Alva (UPA).

As the upcoming election approaches, the ECI is finalizing the Electoral College list. The electoral college for the 2025 election comprises 233 elected members of Rajya Sabha (with five seats currently vacant), 12 nominated members of Rajya Sabha, and 543 elected members of Lok Sabha (with one seat vacant).

Political activity is also picking up. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge is expected to consult with I.N.D.I.A. parties to decide on a strategy and potential candidates. Opposition sources suggest they are unlikely to support a consensus candidate proposed by the government.