Art. 68 Part V: The Union

Time of Holding Election to Fill Vacancy in the Office of Vice-President and the Term of Office of Person Elected to Fill Casual Vacancy

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) An election to fill a vacancy caused by the expiration of the term of office of Vice-President shall be completed before the expiration of the term. (2) An election to fill a vacancy in the office of Vice-President occurring by reason of his death, resignation or removal, or otherwise shall be held as soon as possible after the occurrence of the vacancy, and the person elected to fill the vacancy shall, subject to the provisions of article 67, be entitled to hold office for the full term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article mirrors Article 62's approach for the Vice-Presidency — the regular end-of-term election must be completed before the outgoing term expires, and an unexpected vacancy election should happen 'as soon as possible' (notably, without the President's specific 6-month outer deadline), with the newly elected Vice-President getting a full fresh 5-year term.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is part of the parallel institutional design between the presidency and vice-presidency, ensuring both of India's top constitutional offices have clear, predictable succession and election-timing rules.

Read alongside this one

Art. 62 — Time of Holding Election to Fill Vacancy in the Office of President

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 68

Is there a specific deadline for holding a Vice-Presidential election after an unexpected vacancy, like there is for the President?

This Article uses the softer 'as soon as possible' language without the President's specific 6-month cap, though in practice such elections have generally been held reasonably promptly.

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The text above reproduces Article 68 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.