C.P Radhakrishnan is the 15th Vice-president of India: A New Chapter in Indian Politics

Chandrapuram Ponnusami Radhakrishnan officially took oath as the 15th Vice President of India on September 12, 2025, at a solemn ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath. The elevation of Radhakrishnan to this constitutional position is a major milestone in his political career spanning almost 40 years, and is the third leader in Tamil Nadu to occupy such a high office.

Election Victory and Political Background

The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Radhakrishnan emerged the ultimate winner of the Vice Presidential election held on September 9 in a resounding win over the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) contender, former Supreme Court Judge, B. Sudershan Reddy. During the high voter turnout election, Radhakrishnan defeated Reddy by 452 votes to 300 votes, a difference of 152 votes, a sign of wide political support.

Radhakrishnan was born on October 20, 1957, in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu and his political career started at a very young age when he became an active member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS). He has a BBA degree in V. O. Chidambaram College, Thoothukudi. He is a two-term Lok Sabha MP, Coimbatore and the BJP state president of Tamil Nadu between 2004 and 2007.

Prior to his election as Vice President, Radhakrishnan was a Governor in various states:

• Governor of Jharkhand (Feb 2023- Jul 2024)
• Governor of Maharashtra (Jul 2024-Sep 2025)
• Governor of Telangana (March-July 2024)
• Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry (March and July 2024)

Vice Presidency Roles and Responsibilities

The vice president of India is the second highest constitutional authority who serves as the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha. In the absence or vacancy of the President, the Vice President takes up the President’s duties, as per Articles 63 and 65 of the Constitution. Radhakrishnan’s term will last five years, with possibilities for continuation until a successor is appointed. 

Vision and Expectations

Radhakrishnan has a record of integrity, administrative experience, and agricultural-industrialist experience which is likely to bring stability and experienced leadership to the Rajya Sabha. His extensive grassroots and constitution level experience would be fitting to the democratic Indian spirit and to Indian governance requirements.

The appointment is a significant shift in Indian politics after the resignation of the former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. The election of Radhakrishnan is a reminder that there is a need to have an experienced leadership based on various administrative experiences and political activism, which is a new dawn in the Indian constitutional hierarchy.