Jagdeep Dhankhar Resigns: A Look at His Background, Education, Legal and Political Journey

Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as India’s 14th Vice President on Monday, two years before completing his term, citing health reasons and mentioned Article 67 (a) of the Constitution. 

What is Article 67(a)?

Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice President two years before completing his five year term by using Article 67(a) of the Indian Constitution. 

This article allows the Vice President to step down early by submitting a written resignation to the President. Dhankhar took office in August 2022, and his term was set to end in 2027.

Known for being outspoken, he had made an impact both in the Rajya Sabha and earlier as Bengal’s Governor. His time in office saw frequent clashes with the Opposition and strong remarks about the judiciary.

Earlier this month, the 74-year-old hinted he would step down “at the right time,” depending on “divine interventions.” The Congress party suggested there might be deeper reasons behind his resignation.

In his letter to President Droupadi Murmu, Dhankhar said the resignation was effective immediately and thanked her and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"I am deeply thankful for the invaluable experiences and insights I have gained as Vice President in our great democracy. It has been a privilege and satisfaction to witness and partake in India's remarkable economic progress and unprecedented exponential development during this significant period. Serving in this transformative era of our nation's history has been a true honour," he wrote in his letter to the President. 

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Jagdeep Dhankhar was born on 18 May 1951 in Kithana village, Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan into a Hindu Jat family. His parents were Gokal Chand and Kesari Devi. Raised in a rural environment he showed a strong dedication to education early on which later shaped his career in law and politics.

Jagdeep Dhankhar: Education

Dhankhar began his education at the Government Primary School in Kithana later attending Government Middle School in Ghardhana, often walking several kilometers each day. 

In 1962, he secured a full merit scholarship to Sainik School, Chittorgarh, where he completed the Indian School Certificate Examination, affiliated with Cambridge University.

He went on to earn a B.Sc. (Honors) in Physics from Maharaja's College, Jaipur, under the University of Rajasthan. He completed his LLB from the same university in 1978–1979.

Jagdeep Dhankhar: Legal Career

Jagdeep Dhankhar started his legal career in 1979 after registering with the Bar Council of Rajasthan. He gained a strong reputation for handling cases related to the Constitution, steel, coal, mining and international arbitration. 
In 1990, the Rajasthan High Court named him a Senior Advocate, marking him as one of the state's most respected lawyers.

Jagdeep Dhankhar: Political Career

Jagdeep Dhankhar began his political career with the Janata Dal and was elected to the 9th Lok Sabha from Jhunjhunu (1989–1991). In 1990, he served as Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs under the Chandra Shekhar government.

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He later joined the Indian National Congress and contested the 1991 elections from Ajmer but lost. 

From 1993 to 1998, he was a Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly from Kishangarh and actively participated in various legislative committees. 

After a political break, Dhankhar joined the BJP in 2008, focusing on legal and organizational matters. By 2016, he led the party’s law and legal affairs department in Rajasthan.

Governor of West Bengal

From July 2019 to July 2022, he served as the Governor of West Bengal. His tenure was noted for frequent confrontations with the state government which drawing national attention.

Vice Presidency (2022–2025)

In July 2022, Dhankhar was nominated by the NDA for Vice President. He won the election on 6 August with 528 of 710 votes, defeating Margaret Alva. Sworn in on 11 August, he also served as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, where his legal background shaped parliamentary debates.