What is Article 66 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Explanation.—For the purposes of this article, a person shall not be deemed to hold any office of profit by reason only that he is the President or
📅 Part V – The Union
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Article Number

66

part

Part V – The Union

Status

Active

Bare Acts Text

Article 66: Election of Vice-President

  • (1) The Vice-President shall be elected by the members of an electoral college consisting of the members of both Houses of Parliament in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote and the voting at such election shall
    be by secret ballot.
  • (2) The Vice-President shall not be a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any State, and if a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of the Legislature of any State be elected Vice-President, he shall be deemed to have vacated his seat in that House on the date on which he enters upon his office as Vice-President.
  • (3) No person shall be eligible for election as Vice-President unless he—
    • (a) is a citizen of India;
    • (b) has completed the age of thirty-five years; and
    • (c) is qualified for election as a member of the Council of States.
  • (4) A person shall not be eligible for election as Vice-President if he holds any office of profit under the Government of India or the Government of any State or under any local or other authority subject to the control of any of the said Governments.
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Explanation.—For the purposes of this article, a person shall not be deemed to hold any office of profit by reason only that he is the President or Vice-President of the Union or the Governor of any State or is a Minister either for the Union or for any State.

Full Definition & Explanation

Article 66 of the Indian Constitution deals with the election of the Vice-President of India. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college that includes all members of both Houses of Parliament. This election follows a specific voting system known as proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. This method ensures that the election reflects the will of the majority while allowing for a fair representation of smaller parties. The voting is conducted through a secret ballot, ensuring privacy and reducing external pressures on voters. Therefore, the election process is designed to maintain the integrity of democratic practices in the country. A unique aspect of this article is the eligibility criteria for candidates. To be elected as the Vice-President, a person must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, and qualified to be a member of the Council of States. Also, individuals holding any office of profit under the government cannot contest for this position. This provision prevents conflicts of interest and ensures that the Vice-President can perform their duties impartially. However, the article clarifies that being the President, Vice-President, or a State Governor does not count as holding an office of profit, allowing these figures to engage in the democratic process without restrictions. The Vice-President plays a key role in the functioning of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament. The Vice-President not only serves as the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha but also represents the nation in various ceremonial functions. This multifaceted role enhances the importance of the election process outlined in Article 66. By ensuring that the Vice-President is elected by the members of Parliament rather than through direct public elections, the Constitution emphasizes a representative democratic model while ensuring the position’s stability and authority within the governmental structure.

Historical Context

Article 66 was included in the Constitution when it was adopted in 1950. During the Constituent Assembly debates, members discussed the need for a Vice-President to ensure continuity and stability in governance. This article was formulated to provide a clear framework for electing the Vice-President, ensuring a smooth transition of power. It has not undergone any amendments since its inception, reflecting its foundational role in India’s political structure. Noteworthy cases, like the ‘Keshavananda Bharati case’, have reinforced the importance of maintaining the integrity of constitutional provisions, including those governing the Vice-President’s election. Such cases illustrate the commitment to preserving democratic values.

Key Features

– The Vice-President is elected by both Houses of Parliament members.
– Voting is done through secret ballot using a single transferable vote.
– Candidates must be Indian citizens and at least 35 years old.
– Holding an office of profit disqualifies candidates from election.
– The Vice-President cannot be a member of Parliament or State Legislature.

Importance & Impact

– The election process guarantees that diverse voices are represented within the government.
– This article aims to eliminate conflicts of interest for Vice-President candidates effectively.
– The Vice-President’s role supports the effective functioning of the Rajya Sabha.
– Citizens benefit from having an impartial election process for this position.
– Article 66 clearly defines the eligibility requirements for candidates seeking this role.

Sample UPSC Question

Which of the following statements regarding Article 66 of the Indian Constitution is correct? A) The Vice-President is elected by a direct public vote. B) To be eligible, a candidate must be under 35 years old. C) The election is conducted using a secret ballot. D) A sitting member of Parliament can be elected as Vice-President without vacating their seat. Analyze each option carefully and select the correct answer while considering the implications of each statement.

Answer

The correct answer is C) The election is conducted using a secret ballot. Article 66 mandates that the Vice-President is elected by an electoral college through a secret ballot, which ensures privacy and fairness. Options A and D are incorrect because the Vice-President is elected by Parliament, not the public, and sitting MPs must vacate their seats to take office.

Key Takeaways

✓ The election of the Vice-President is governed by Article 66 of the Constitution.
✓ Candidates must be at least 35 years old to qualify.
✓ Voting for Vice-President takes place through a secret ballot system.
✓ Holding an office of profit disqualifies candidates from running.
✓ The Vice-President plays a critical role in the Parliament’s functioning.

FAQs

Article 66 of the Indian Constitution deals with the election of the Vice-President of India. The Vice-President is elected by an electoral college that includes all members of both Houses of Parliament. This election follows a specific voting system known as proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

To be elected as the Vice-President, a person must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years old, and qualified to be a member of the Council of States. Also, individuals holding any office of profit under the government cannot contest for this position. This provision prevents conflicts of interest and ensures that the Vice-President can perform their duties impartially.

The Vice-President not only serves as the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha but also represents the nation in various ceremonial functions. This multifaceted role enhances the importance of the election process outlined in Article 66. By ensuring that the Vice-President is elected by the members of Parliament rather than through direct public elections, the Constitution emphasizes a representative democratic model while ensuring the position’s stability and authority within the governmental structure.

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Pramod is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of StudyHub. He holds a Master's degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology, alongside more than 7+ years spent building and verifying competitive exam content for Indian aspirants. He leads StudyHub's editorial process across Indian Polity, the Constitution, Indian Economy, History, Geography, Science, and the platform's other subject areas — checking every article against primary sources (bare act text and Gazette notifications for constitutional topics, government and Economic Survey data for economy content, standard reference material elsewhere) and flagging it for re-verification whenever a relevant amendment, policy, or data update makes an earlier version outdated.
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