Explore India’s Vice President election 2025, including candidates CP Radhakrishnan and B. Surdarshan Reddy, Vice President salary, luxurious perks, official facilities, and post-term benefits explained in detail.
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NEW DELHI: On 9 September 2025, India is set to get its new Vice President following the sudden resignation of Jagdeep Dhankhar on 21 July. This resignation made it necessary to hold elections to fill this crucial constitutional post.
The ruling NDA has nominated CP Radhakrishnan, while the opposition India Alliance has fielded B. Surdarshan Reddy as its candidate. Amid the elections, let’s explore the salary, perks, and privileges associated with the post of Vice President of India.
Section 4 in The Vice-President’s Pension, Housing And Other Facilities Rules, 1999
[1 (a) A retired Vice-President shall be entitled to Secretarial staff consisting of a Private Secretary, an Additional Private Secretary, a Personal Assistant and two Peons and shall be paid actual charges incurred by him for the maintenance of such secretarial staff;]
Provided the charges payable to the secretarial staff shall not exceed the pay and allowances admissible to the corresponding posts in the Government of India. The secretarial staff shall be drawn from outside the Government of India/State including any Public Sector Undertaking.
(b) [ during each financial year, an amount not exceeding Rs. 90,000/- (Rupees ninety thousand only) shall be paid to every retired Vice-President towards the actual charges incurred by him on account of office expenses;]
(c) a retired Vice-President shall be entitled without payment of rent to the use of a furnished residence as mentioned in sub-rule 1(d) at the station of his choice, any where in India, without payment of water and electricity charges for the remainder of his life.
(d) [ at places where Government owned accommodation is allotted to a retired Vice-President, the residence shall be a Type-VIII bungalow, and if the highest type of Government owned accommodation available at a particular place is smaller in size as compared to a Type-VIII bungalow, the highest type of accommodation available at that place shall be allotted to the retired Vice-President and at places where suitable Government residence is not available for allotment to a retired Vice-President, the size of residence to be taken on lease to be provided to a retired Vice-President shall have a living area not exceeding 2000 square feet for which the Ministry of Urban Development (Directorate of Estates) will be responsible for providing the said accommodation;]
(e) the value of the furniture and electrical appliances provided free of rent in a residence allotted to the retired Vice-President shall not exceed the monetary limit prescribed for supply of furniture and electrical appliances provided free of rent in a residence [allotted to a Cabinet Minister] in the Union Council of Ministers;
(f) a retired Vice-President shall be entitled to the use of a telephone at his residence as admissible to a Member of Parliament as provided under the Housing and Telephone Facilities (Members of Parliament) Rules, 1956;Provided that the number of free telephone calls including adjustment towards trunk calls shall be the same as is admissible to a Member of Parliament from two telephones pooled together and provided to him one at his residence/office in Delhi/New Delhi and the other at usual place of residence/constituency/State.
(g) a retired Vice-President shall be entitled to travel anywhere in India, by the highest class, by air, rail or steamer, accompanied by spouse or a companion or relative;
(2) At the initial appointment of the secretarial staff, information regarding the persons employed, their emoluments and the periods of their employment shall be furnished to the Central Government. All subsequent changes shall also be intimated as and when they occur.
(3) The actual charges claimed by the retired Vice-President for the maintenance of secretarial staff and for the office expenses shall be drawn in the form of simple receipt as and when required.
(4) At the end of each year, a certificate to the effect that the amount so far drawn has been expended for the purpose for which it had been drawn, shall be given by the retired Vice-President in Form-I.
Section 4 of The Vice-President’s Pension, Housing and Other Facilities Rules, 1999 provides that a retired Vice-President is entitled to a furnished Type-VIII bungalow or the best available government accommodation, secretarial staff (Private Secretary, Additional Secretary, Personal Assistant, and two Peons) with reimbursed salaries, and up to Rs. 90,000 per year for office expenses.
They also receive furniture and electrical appliances within Cabinet Minister limits, two telephones with call facilities like MPs, and can travel anywhere in India in the highest class with a spouse or companion. Administrative formalities include reporting staff details and expenses to the government, supported by receipts, along with an annual certificate confirming proper use of funds.
This ensures that retired Vice-Presidents continue to enjoy official support and privileges for life.
Salary of the Vice President of India
The Vice President receives a monthly salary of Rs 4 lakh, which is not a standard salary but includes allowances for serving as the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Additionally, the Vice President is entitled to:
- Dearness Allowance (DA): This increases periodically to keep pace with inflation.
- Other allowances and perks for official duties.
Facilities Provided to the Vice President
Winning the election brings several luxurious facilities, including:
- Official residence in Delhi
- Health care services
- Train and air travel facilities
- Landline and mobile phone services
- Personal security and staff
- A convoy of luxury cars
- Educational benefits for children in government schools and colleges
- Diplomatic passport and protocol facilities during foreign visits
These perks ensure that the Vice President can efficiently carry out their constitutional responsibilities.
Post-Term Facilities for Former Vice Presidents
Even after leaving office, a former Vice President enjoys significant benefits:
- A lifetime pension, which is 50% of the current salary
- Type-8 bungalow with staff including a personal secretary, assistant, security, doctor, and other personnel
- Security and protocol facilities continue
- After death, the spouse receives a Type-7 bungalow along with some other facilities
This ensures that the dignity and status of the office are maintained even post-tenure.
How is the Vice President Elected?
The Vice President of India is elected under Article 66 of the Constitution through a special voting process:
- Electoral College: Consists of MPs from both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha
- Voting System: Secret ballot using the single transferable vote system
- MPs rank candidates based on their preference, ensuring a fair and transparent election.
- The secret ballot ensures the confidentiality of votes, maintaining the democratic process.
Today, the election is underway, and PM Modi was the first to cast his vote, marking the start of this significant democratic exercise.
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