Chandrapuram Ponnusamy (C.P.) Radhakrishnan officially assumed office as the 15th Vice President of India on September 12, 2025. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, where he was sworn in by President Droupadi Murmu. This came three days after his election, which followed the unexpected resignation of former Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar in July.
Election & Margins
Radhakrishnan, the nominee of the ruling National Democratic Alliance (NDA), won the vice-presidential election held earlier with a substantial margin—securing 452 votes against opposition candidate B. Sudershan Reddy, who received 300 votes. The election saw high participation, with over 98% of Members of Parliament casting their ballots. After accounting for invalid votes, the number of valid ones affirmed his victory by 152 votes.
The Oath & Ceremony
Dressed in traditional Tamil attire—a red kurta and mundu—Radhakrishnan stood before President Murmu at the ceremony held at around 10:11 AM. He took the oath in English “in the name of God,” officially stepping into the constitutional role. The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ministers Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, former Vice Presidents, and other high-ranking political leaders. Outgoing Vice President Dhankhar was also present in his first public appearance since stepping down. Audience reaction was warm, with applause when Radhakrishnan completed the oath.
Background & Expectations
A seasoned politician, Radhakrishnan has held several gubernatorial posts and has deep roots in the Bharatiya Janata Party and its ideological mentor group. Known for his soft‐spoken nature, he steps into the Vice Presidency amid praises for being non-confrontational and hands-on. His predecessor’s time in office had seen heated interactions with opposition members; many observers expect Radhakrishnan’s style to be more consensus-oriented.
Following the oath, he paid tribute at a memorial site, planted a tree on the Rashtrapati grounds, and is set to officially take over the duties of Chairman of the Rajya Sabha as soon as Parliament reconvenes. With political tensions running high, his effectiveness in bringing harmony, especially between central and state powers, will be closely watched.