Qualifications, Oath and Conditions for the Vice-President

To be eligible for the office of the Vice-President, a candidate must be a citizen of India and should meet the eligibility criteria similar to those for the President (though the Constitution does not specify a minimum age for the Vice-President). Importantly, the candidate must not hold any office of profit under the Government.

Upon election, the Vice-President takes a solemn oath of office as prescribed in the Third Schedule of the Constitution. This oath is administered by the Chief Justice of India, or, in his absence, by the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court, thereby emphasizing the impartiality and sanctity of the office.

These stringent conditions ensure that the office is held by an individual of high integrity and competence, capable of discharging duties impartially, especially when acting as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha or stepping in as acting President.