The resolution for removing the Vice-President of India can be moved in the:

1. The Constitutional Role of the Vice-President (basic)

The Vice-President of India holds the second-highest constitutional office in the country, modeled largely on the American Vice-Presidency but with significant functional differences. The role is unique because it is dual-natured: the individual serves primarily as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, meaning they hold the presiding office by virtue of being the Vice-President M. Laxmikanth, Parliament, p.233. However, unlike the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, the Vice-President is not a member of the House they preside over. While the Vice-President's daily life is defined by parliamentary business, they also serve as a 'standby' for the President. If the President’s office falls vacant due to resignation, removal, or death, the Vice-President acts as the President for a maximum period of six months until a new President is elected NCERT Class XI, Executive, p.88. Crucially, during any period when the Vice-President acts as the President, they do not perform the duties of the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and are not entitled to the salary of the Chairman. The most critical aspect of this role regarding parliamentary procedure is the removal process. Because the Vice-President is the head of the Upper House, the Constitution gives the Rajya Sabha a special privilege: a resolution for the removal of the Vice-President can only be initiated in the Rajya Sabha.

Feature	Vice-President (as Chairman)	Speaker of Lok Sabha
Membership	Not a member of the House	Must be a member of the House
Removal Initiation	Only in Rajya Sabha	Only in Lok Sabha
Voting	Casting vote only (in case of tie)	Casting vote only (in case of tie)

To remove the Vice-President, a 14-day notice must be provided. The resolution must then be passed by the Rajya Sabha by an effective majority (a majority of all the then members) and subsequently agreed to by the Lok Sabha by a simple majority.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Parliament, p.233; Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT), EXECUTIVE, p.88

2. Election and Tenure of the Vice-President (basic)

The Vice-President (VP) occupies the second-highest constitutional office in India. Unlike the President, who represents the entire nation, the Vice-President's primary role is linked to the Parliamentary framework as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Because of this dual identity, the process of their election and removal is distinct. The VP is elected for a five-year term through an indirect election using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, Vice-President, p.203. One of the most critical aspects for your exams is understanding the Electoral College. While both the President and Vice-President are elected by MPs, the composition differs significantly to reflect their different spheres of authority:

Feature	Presidential Election	Vice-Presidential Election
Elected MPs (LS & RS)	Included	Included
Nominated MPs	Excluded	Included
State MLAs	Included	Excluded

To be eligible, a person must be a citizen, at least 35 years old, and importantly, qualified for election as a member of the Rajya Sabha (whereas the President must be qualified for the Lok Sabha) D. D. Basu, Introduction to the Constitution of India, The Union Executive, p.208. Regarding tenure, the Vice-President can be removed before their five-year term ends without a formal impeachment process. However, the procedure is unique: a resolution for removal can only be initiated in the Rajya Sabha. It must be passed by the Rajya Sabha by an 'effective majority' (a majority of all the then members) and then agreed to by the Lok Sabha by a simple majority. A 14-day notice is mandatory before moving such a resolution NCERT, Indian Constitution at Work, EXECUTIVE, p.88. All disputes regarding the VP's election are handled exclusively by the Supreme Court.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Vice-President, p.203; Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu, The Union Executive, p.208; Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT), EXECUTIVE, p.88

3. Exclusive Powers of the Rajya Sabha (intermediate)

In our parliamentary system, the Rajya Sabha is often perceived as the 'secondary' chamber because it lacks authority over Money Bills. However, to maintain the federal balance of our Constitution, the Rajya Sabha is granted specific exclusive powers that the Lok Sabha does not possess. These powers are rooted in its role as the 'Council of States'—acting as a protective shield for the rights of states against potential overreach by the Central government. Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), The Union Legislature, p.243 There are three primary pillars of this exclusive authority. First, under Article 249, the Rajya Sabha can authorize Parliament to make laws on a subject listed in the State List if it passes a resolution supported by two-thirds of the members present and voting. Second, under Article 312, the Parliament can only create new All-India Services (common to both Centre and States) if the Rajya Sabha first passes a resolution declaring it necessary in the national interest. This ensures that since these officers will serve in the states, the states' representative house must give its consent. Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Public Services, p.549 The third power relates to the Vice-President of India. While both Houses participate in the election of the Vice-President, the procedure for removal (Article 67) can only be initiated in the Rajya Sabha. This is because the Vice-President serves as the ex-officio Chairman of this House. A resolution for removal must be passed by an effective majority (a majority of all the then members) of the Rajya Sabha and then agreed to by the Lok Sabha. Indian Constitution at Work, NCERT (2025 ed.), EXECUTIVE, p.88

Additionally, the Rajya Sabha holds a unique responsibility during Emergencies. If a proclamation of emergency is issued when the Lok Sabha has been dissolved, or its dissolution takes place during the period allowed for approval, the proclamation can remain effective if the Rajya Sabha approves it within the stipulated time. Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Parliament, p.260

Exclusive Power	Constitutional Article	Significance
Legislate on State List	Article 249	Allows Union to act on State subjects in national interest.
Create All-India Services	Article 312	Protects federal structure by requiring State-level consent.
Removal of Vice-President	Article 67	Initiation power rests solely with the House they preside over.

Sources: Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), The Union Legislature, p.243; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Public Services, p.549; Indian Constitution at Work, NCERT (2025 ed.), EXECUTIVE, p.88; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.), Parliament, p.260

4. Comparison: Impeachment of the President (intermediate)

To understand the stability of the Indian executive, we must look at how the two highest offices—the President and the Vice-President—can be removed. While we often use the word 'impeachment' loosely, technically, the Constitution of India reserves this term exclusively for the President under Article 61. It is described as a quasi-judicial procedure because Parliament doesn't just vote; it also acts as a court to investigate specific charges D. D. Basu, Introduction to the Constitution of India, The Union Executive, p.206. The only ground for the President's impeachment is the 'violation of the Constitution', a phrase the Constitution itself does not define M. Laxmikanth, Indian Polity, President, p.190.

The procedure for the President is intentionally rigorous to ensure the Head of State isn't removed for petty political reasons. Charges can be initiated by either House of Parliament. However, before the resolution is even discussed, one-fourth of the members of the initiating House must sign the charge, and a 14 days' notice must be given to the President M. Laxmikanth, Indian Polity, President, p.190. The resolution must then be passed by a special majority (two-thirds of the total membership of the House). Once passed, the second House investigates the charges, during which the President has the right to appear and be represented NCERT, Indian Constitution at Work, EXECUTIVE, p.84.

In contrast, the removal of the Vice-President follows a different logic, primarily because the VP serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Unlike the President, a resolution for the removal of the Vice-President can only be initiated in the Rajya Sabha. It does not require a formal 'impeachment' investigation but requires a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha (effective majority) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha.

Feature	President of India	Vice-President of India
Term used	Impeachment	Removal
Grounds	Violation of the Constitution	Not specifically mentioned
Initiating House	Either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha	Rajya Sabha alone
Notice Period	14 days	14 days
Majority Required	2/3rd of Total Membership of both Houses	Effective Majority (RS) + Simple Majority (LS)

Sources: Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu, The Union Executive, p.206; Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, President, p.190; Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), EXECUTIVE, p.84

5. Removal of Other Presiding Officers (intermediate)

To maintain the independence and dignity of the presiding officers, the Constitution provides a specific and rigorous process for their removal. Unlike ordinary members, officers like the Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha and the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha can only be removed by a resolution passed by an effective majority (a majority of all the then members of the House). A crucial procedural safeguard is that such a resolution can only be moved after giving at least 14 days' advance notice Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, Chapter 23, p. 232.

The removal of the Vice-President (VP), who serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, follows a unique path. Because the VP is primarily an officer of the Rajya Sabha, the resolution for their removal must be initiated in the Rajya Sabha alone. It requires a resolution passed by an effective majority in the Rajya Sabha, which must then be agreed to by the Lok Sabha (usually by a simple majority) Indian Constitution at Work, NCERT Class XI, Chapter 4, p. 88. Similar rules apply to the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of State Legislative Assemblies, ensuring they aren't subject to the whims of a simple daily majority Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, Chapter 30, p. 339.

When a resolution for removal is being considered, a specific protocol of natural justice applies: the officer concerned cannot preside over that sitting. However, they maintain the right to be present in the House and speak. Notably, a Deputy Speaker or Deputy Chairman under a removal cloud can vote in the first instance on the resolution, though they lose their power of a 'casting vote' during that session Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, Chapter 23, p. 232.

Feature	VP (Chairman of RS)	Deputy Speaker / Deputy Chairman
Initiation	Rajya Sabha ONLY	Respective House
Majority Required	Effective Majority (RS) + Agreement (LS)	Effective Majority
Notice Period	14 Days	14 Days
Voting Right	Can vote in RS (as VP)	Can vote in first instance

Sources: Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, Chapter 23: Parliament, p.232; Indian Constitution at Work, NCERT Class XI, Chapter 4: Executive, p.88; Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, Chapter 30: State Legislature, p.339

6. Understanding Types of Majorities (exam-level)

In Indian parliamentary practice, the term 'majority' is not a one-size-fits-all concept. Depending on the gravity of the decision—ranging from passing a routine bill to amending the Constitution—different mathematical thresholds are required. The most common is the Simple Majority, which requires more than 50% of the members present and voting. This is the 'workhorse' majority used for ordinary bills, money bills, and even a No-Confidence Motion Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Parliament, p.237. In contrast, an Absolute Majority refers to more than 50% of the total membership of the House, regardless of vacancies or absentees (e.g., 272 in the Lok Sabha). While rarely used alone, it acts as a crucial benchmark for forming governments and is a component of more complex majorities Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Parliament, p.240.

For more sensitive matters, such as the removal of high constitutional authorities, the Constitution mandates an Effective Majority. This is defined as more than 50% of the 'effective strength' of the House, which is calculated by subtracting vacancies (due to death, resignation, or disqualification) from the total strength. This is often phrased in the Constitution as 'a majority of all the then members'. It is specifically used for the removal of the Vice-President (in the Rajya Sabha) and the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Lok Sabha.

Finally, the Special Majority is used for the most solemn tasks, like amending the Constitution under Article 368. This type acts as a 'double filter' to ensure wide consensus. As noted in Indian Constitution at Work, NCERT Class XI, Election and Representation, p.69, it requires two conditions to be met simultaneously: (1) At least two-thirds of the members present and voting, AND (2) Over 50% of the total strength of the House (Absolute Majority). This ensures that a thin attendance cannot be used to force through significant constitutional changes.

Type of Majority	Calculation Logic	Primary Usage
Simple	> 50% of (Present & Voting)	Ordinary/Money Bills, Confidence Motions.
Effective	> 50% of (Total Strength – Vacancies)	Removal of VP (RS), Speaker, Deputy Speaker.
Special (Art. 368)	2/3 of (P&V) + Absolute Majority	Constitutional Amendment Bills, Removal of SC/HC Judges.

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Parliament, p.237, 240, 258; Indian Constitution at Work, NCERT Class XI, Election and Representation, p.69

7. Article 67(b): The Specific Procedure for VP Removal (exam-level)

While the President of India undergoes a rigorous impeachment process for the 'violation of the Constitution,' the removal of the Vice-President (VP) is relatively more streamlined but follows a very specific constitutional path under Article 67(b). Unlike the President, the Constitution does not list specific grounds for the removal of the Vice-President, giving Parliament significant discretion Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., Vice President, p.205.

The procedure is unique because of the Vice-President’s dual role as the Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Consequently, the process must originate only in the Rajya Sabha. A resolution for removal cannot be introduced in the Lok Sabha. Before the resolution is even moved, a mandatory 14-day notice must be given to the Vice-President, ensuring they have time to respond to the intent of the House Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), Chapter 4: EXECUTIVE, p. 88.

The voting requirements are the most critical part of this procedure. It is a two-step process involving different types of majorities:

• Step 1 (Rajya Sabha): The resolution must be passed by a majority of all the then members. In parliamentary terms, this is known as an Effective Majority (Total strength minus existing vacancies).
• Step 2 (Lok Sabha): Once passed by the Rajya Sabha, the resolution is sent to the Lok Sabha, which must simply agree to it. This agreement is reached via a Simple Majority (a majority of members present and voting) Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), The Union Executive, p.208.

Feature	President (Impeachment)	Vice-President (Removal)
Initiation	Either House of Parliament	Rajya Sabha only
Grounds	Violation of the Constitution	Not mentioned in Constitution
Majority (Origin)	Special Majority (2/3rd of Total Strength)	Effective Majority (Majority of 'then' members)

Sources: Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth, Vice President, p.205; Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.), EXECUTIVE, p.88; Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.), The Union Executive, p.208

8. Solving the Original PYQ (exam-level)

You’ve just mastered the executive structure, specifically the dual role of the Vice-President as the Ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. This structural link is the key to solving this question. Since the Vice-President's primary day-to-day function is presiding over the Upper House, the Constitution vests the power to initiate their removal specifically within that chamber. As you transition from theory to practice, remember that the functional identity of an office often dictates its legal procedures; because the VP belongs to the Rajya Sabha in a presiding capacity, that house holds the first right of removal.

To arrive at the correct answer, (D) Rajya Sabha alone, you must follow the procedural logic outlined in Article 67(b). The process requires a 14-day notice, followed by a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha by an effective majority (a majority of all the then members). According to Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity, the Lok Sabha's role is secondary—it must merely "agree" to the resolution with a simple majority. The initiation or moving of the resolution is the critical step the question asks about, and that power is exclusive to the Council of States.

UPSC frequently uses the President’s impeachment process as a trap to lead students toward Option (B), as the President can be removed by a process starting in either House. Similarly, Option (C) is a common distractor; however, Joint Sittings are strictly for resolving legislative deadlocks on ordinary bills and are never used for the removal of constitutional authorities. By distinguishing the Vice-President’s unique relationship with the Rajya Sabha as highlighted in Indian Constitution at Work (NCERT), you can confidently filter out these traps and focus on the specific initiation requirements of the office.