C.P. Radhakrishnan Sworn in as 15th Vice-President of India

Chandrapuram Ponnusamy Radhakrishnan took the oath as the 15th Vice-President of India and Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on Friday, September 12, 2025. The ceremony was held at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, where President Droupadi Murmu administered the oath in the presence of key leaders from across the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Vice-Presidents Jagdeep Dhankhar and Hamid Ansari, cabinet ministers, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge attended the event. This occasion also marked the first public appearance of Jagdeep Dhankhar since his resignation in July, which he had cited as due to health reasons.

The ceremony drew attention for its detailed seating arrangements. Dhankhar, along with his wife Sudesh, Ansari, former Vice-President M. Venkaiah Naidu, and state leaders including Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, were seated in prominent positions. Opposition leaders were placed further behind, with Kharge in the second row and floor leaders of other parties seated in the fifth row. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was in the fourth row.

After taking the oath, Vice-President Radhakrishnan paid homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee at Sadaiv Atal, and former Prime Minister Charan Singh at Kisan Ghat. He also visited Prerna Sthal inside the Parliament House, where statues displaced due to construction of the new Parliament building have been relocated. He planted a sapling in the Parliament complex to mark his first day in office.

Prime Minister Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate Radhakrishnan, calling him a dedicated public servant who has devoted his life to social service, nation-building, and strengthening democratic values. Modi expressed hope for a successful tenure focused on serving the people.

Later, Radhakrishnan met with parliamentary floor leaders to discuss cooperation and smooth functioning of the Rajya Sabha. While some parties, including the Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal, NCP (SP), and Shiv Sena (UBT), could not attend due to short notice, Radhakrishnan expressed his intention to include the Opposition in decision-making. He emphasized patience and the importance of the Opposition in a healthy parliamentary democracy. During discussions, he also recalled his political journey, noting that his grandfather was aligned with the Left and his uncle with the Congress.

The swearing-in marks the beginning of Radhakrishnan’s term, during which he will guide the functioning of the Rajya Sabha and uphold democratic traditions. Leaders across parties and states extended their greetings, recognizing his experience and dedication to public service.

C.P. Radhakrishnan’s oath-taking ceremony combined respect for India’s democratic history with a forward-looking approach, promising collaborative leadership in the upper house of Parliament. His first day in office reflected a balance of tradition, parliamentary protocol, and a commitment to inclusive governance.