Who among the following was the first Vice President of India?
- A.Zakir Hussain
- B.Gopal Swarup Pathak
- C.Varahagiri Venkata Giri
- D.Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan. The philosopher and teacher Dr S. Radhakrishnan was India's first Vice-President, from 1952 to 1962, serving two full terms. He then became the second President of India (1962–67). His birthday, 5 September, is celebrated as Teachers' Day, and he received the Bharat Ratna in 1954.
The other three were also Vice-Presidents, which is exactly why they appear in the options. Dr Zakir Husain was the second Vice-President (1962–67) and then the third President. V.V. Giri was the third Vice-President (1967–69) and later the fourth President. Gopal Swarup Pathak was the fourth Vice-President (1969–74). A pattern worth noticing: the first three Vice-Presidents all went on to become President. Only two people have served two full terms as Vice-President: S. Radhakrishnan and M. Hamid Ansari. The current Vice-President, C.P. Radhakrishnan, took office in September 2025; do not confuse the two Radhakrishnans.
Read the full article: President and Vice-President of India: Notes, Articles and PYQs
Practice Questions
View allWhich Article establishes the office of the President?
- A.Article 75
- B.Article 53
- C.Article 74
- D.Article 52
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The correct answer is Article 52, which says simply: "There shall be a President of India." It opens Chapter I of Part V, the chapter on the Union executive, and every other rule about the office builds on it.
Read the full explanation →Who among the following does NOT take part in the election of the President of India?
- A.Elected Member of Rajya Sabha
- B.Elected Member of Lok Sabha
- C.Elected Member of State Assembly
- D.Nominated Member of Parliament
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Under Article 54, the President is elected by an electoral college made up only of elected members: the elected members of both Houses of Parliament and the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States, and, since the 70th Amendment of 1992, of the Union Territories of Delhi and…
Read the full explanation →What is the minimum age requirement to be elected as President of India?
- A.35 years
- B.34 years
- C.25 years
- D.30 years
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Article 58 lays down four qualifications for the President: the person must be a citizen of India, must have completed 35 years of age, must be qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha, and must not hold any office of profit under the Union, a State or…
Read the full explanation →Who conducts oath of office to the President of India?
- A.The Prime Minister
- B.The Chief Justice
- C.Lok Sabha Speaker
- D.Rajya Sabha Chairman
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Under Article 60, the President takes the oath or affirmation before the Chief Justice of India, or, in the Chief Justice's absence, before the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court.
Read the full explanation →The President may resign from his office by writing under his hand addressed to the:
- A.Prime Minister
- B.Vice President
- C.Chief Election Commissioner
- D.Speaker of the Lok Sabha
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Article 56(1)(a) says the President may resign by writing under his or her hand addressed to the Vice-President. The Vice-President must then communicate the resignation to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha without delay.
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