Finance
Jagdeep Dhankhar, a seasoned lawyer and political figure, served as India’s 14th Vice President from 2022 until his retirement on July 21, 2025. He resigned from his position as Vice President on Monday due to health concerns.
In a letter written to President Droupadi Murmu, Mr Dhankhar said that to prioritise health care and abide by medical advice, he has resigned as the Vice President of India, effective immediately. He expressed his gratitude to the President for her unwavering support during his tenure. Mr Dhankhar also expressed his deep gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the esteemed Council of Ministers.
Despite his brief term, he had a strong mastery of parliamentary procedures and sharp legal acumen. He was actively involved in national issues throughout his public life.
Dhankhar’s rise from a remote town in Rajasthan to one of India’s highest constitutional offices is a narrative of determination, adaptability, and public service. He has been in public life for more than four decades.
Jagdeep Dhankhar was born on May 18, 1951, in Kithana, a small village in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu district. He is from a modest farming family. He was frequently referred to as a “Kisan Putra” (farmer’s son), a label that the BJP eventually dropped in its political message surrounding his Vice Presidential nomination.
He finished his education at Sainik School in Chittorgarh, which has produced several important military and civil service personalities. He later received a Bachelor of Science from the University of Rajasthan, Jaipur, and went on to earn an LLB from the same institution.
Dhankhar began his legal practice in 1979 after registering with the Bar Council of Rajasthan. His reputation as a formidable legal mind grew rapidly. In 1990, he was designated a Senior Advocate by the Rajasthan High Court – becoming one of the state’s most prominent legal professionals.
He practised across multiple high courts and in the Supreme Court of India, where he took on a variety of civil and constitutional cases. Dhankhar was appointed the President of the Rajasthan High Court Bar Association. This role further cemented his stature within the legal community.
He entered politics in 1989, winning a Lok Sabha seat from Jhunjhunu. This victory was on a Janata Dal ticket. His articulate advocacy in Parliament quickly earned him a ministerial role. Under Prime Minister Chandra Shekhar in 1990, he was appointed Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs. He handled critical coordination between the government and legislature.
He later served as a Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from 1993 to 1998, representing the Kishangarh constituency.
Dhankhar remained politically active and was associated with several parties, including Janata Dal, Indian National Congress (INC), and finally the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Dhankhar was appointed the Governor of West Bengal in July 2019. This post put him at the centre of political turbulence in the state. His tenure was marked by frequent confrontations with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government led by Mamata Banerjee over issues of federalism, university appointments, and law and order.
His critics accused him of overstepping constitutional boundaries. However, Dhankhar asserted that he was acting to uphold democratic principles.
On July 16, 2022, the BJP named Dhankhar as the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate for Vice President. In the Vice Presidential election on August 6, 2022, Dhankhar defeated opposition candidate Margaret Alva with 528 out of 710 valid votes, securing 74.37 percent – the largest margin of victory since 1992. His election also saw the Trinamool Congress abstain, with only two of its members voting.
As Vice President, Dhankhar was also the Rajya Sabha’s ex-officio Chairman, presiding over several significant legislative sessions. Known for his uncompromising commitment to legislative rules and no-nonsense style, he was respected and contested equally across party lines.
