On July 21, 2025, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as the Vice President of India, citing health reasons. This news surprised many people across the country. Jagdeep Dhankhar is a well-known name in Indian politics and law. His life is an inspiring story of hard work and dedication. Born in a small village, he rose to one of the highest offices in India. This article tells the story of his life in simple words. It covers his early days, education, career, and achievements. Let’s dive into the journey of this remarkable man.
Early Life And Family
Jagdeep Dhankhar was born on May 18, 1951, in a small village called Kithana. This village is in Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan. He belonged to a simple Hindu Jat family. His father’s name was Gokal Chand, and his mother’s name was Kesari Devi. Life in the village was not easy. The family lived a modest life. Young Jagdeep saw the struggles of rural life. Yet, he dreamed big. His parents taught him the value of hard work. They also encouraged him to study well. These early lessons shaped his future.
As a child, Jagdeep was a bright student. He started his education at the Government Primary School in Kithana. He walked long distances to school every day. Later, he joined the Government Middle School in Ghardhana. Walking to school was tough, but he never gave up. His hard work paid off when he got a full scholarship to Sainik School, Chittorgarh, in 1962. This was a big moment in his life. At Sainik School, he learned discipline and leadership. He passed the Indian School Certificate Examination, which was recognized by Cambridge University. This success gave him confidence to aim higher.
After school, Jagdeep wanted to study more. He joined Maharaja’s College in Jaipur. This college was part of the University of Rajasthan. He studied physics and earned a B.Sc. (Honors) degree. Science fascinated him, but he also had an interest in law. So, he decided to become a lawyer. He enrolled at the University of Rajasthan to study law. In 1978, he completed his LLB degree. This was the start of his journey in the legal world. He worked hard to become a skilled lawyer.
Jagdeep Dhankhar Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Wife, Daughter
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Jagdeep Dhankhar |
| Date of Birth | May 18, 1951 |
| Place of Birth | Kithana village, Jhunjhunu district, Rajasthan, India |
| Family Background | Born in a Hindu Jat family Father: Gokal Chand Mother: Kesari Devi |
| Education | - Primary: Govt. Primary School, Kithana - Middle: Govt. Middle School, Ghardhana - High School: Sainik School, Chittorgarh (Scholarship, 1962) - College: B.Sc. (Physics Hons.), Maharaja’s College, University of Rajasthan - Law: LLB, University of Rajasthan (1978) |
| Marital Status | Married to Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar (1979); One daughter: Kamna |
| Early Life | Grew up with limited means in rural Rajasthan. Walked long distances to school. Sainik School instilled discipline and leadership. |
| Legal Career | - Enrolled as Advocate, Bar Council of Rajasthan (1979) - Designated Senior Advocate (Rajasthan HC, 1990) - Practiced in SC (Constitutional, Commercial, Int’l Law) - President, Rajasthan HC Bar Association |
| Political Career | - 1989–1991: MP (Lok Sabha) from Jhunjhunu (Janata Dal) - 1990–91: MoS for Parliamentary Affairs (Chandra Shekhar govt) - 1991: Contested Ajmer (Congress, lost) - 1993–1998: MLA from Kishangarh (Rajasthan) - 1998: Contested Lok Sabha from Jhunjhunu (3rd place) - 2003: Joined BJP - 2016: Headed BJP legal cell, Rajasthan |
| Governor of WB | - Appointed: July 30, 2019 - Tenure: 2019–2022 - Notable for public conflicts with CM Mamata Banerjee, especially over 2021 post-poll violence |
| Vice President of India | - Nominated: July 2022 (NDA) - Elected: August 6, 2022 (Won 528 votes/74.4%) - Sworn in: August 11, 2022 - Chairman of Rajya Sabha - Resigned: July 21, 2025 (Health reasons) |
| Key Achievements | - First VP to resign mid-term - Promoted Sanskrit, Ayurveda, Indian culture - Represented India at ASEAN (Cambodia, 2022) - Visited Qatar (2022), UK (2023) - Advocated for OBC status for Jats |
| Religion | Hinduism |
| Resignation | - Resigned as VP: July 21, 2025 - Cited health issues; thanked President Droupadi Murmu and PM Narendra Modi in his letter |
| Legacy | From humble beginnings to Vice President. Lifelong advocate of education, cultural values, and discipline. Role model for youth from rural backgrounds. |
Legal Career
Jagdeep Dhankhar began his career as an advocate in 1979. He joined the Bar Council of Rajasthan. His talent in law was clear from the start. He argued cases with confidence and clarity. By 1990, he was named a Senior Advocate by the Rajasthan High Court. This was a big honor. He was one of the top lawyers in the state. Later, he started practicing in the Supreme Court of India. He handled important cases about the Constitution, business disputes, and international matters. His work earned him respect across the country.
Political Career
While building his legal career, Jagdeep also entered politics. In 1989, he joined the Janata Dal party. That year, he won a seat in the Lok Sabha from Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. He was a Member of Parliament from 1989 to 1991. During this time, he served as the Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs in the Chandra Shekhar government. This role was important. He helped manage discussions in Parliament. His work showed his deep understanding of laws and governance.
In 1991, Jagdeep joined the Indian National Congress. He contested the general election from Ajmer but did not win. However, he did not lose hope. From 1993 to 1998, he served as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Kishangarh, Rajasthan. He worked on important committees and helped make laws for the state. His time as an MLA showed his commitment to public service. He listened to people’s problems and worked to solve them.
Joined BJP
In 2003, Jagdeep joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). He took on important roles in the party. By 2016, he was leading the BJP’s law and legal affairs department in Rajasthan. His knowledge of law helped the party in many ways. In 2019, he got a new responsibility. He was appointed the Governor of West Bengal. This was a big role. As Governor, he was the head of the state. But his time in West Bengal was not easy. He often disagreed with the state government led by Mamata Banerjee. He spoke openly about issues like violence after elections. His bold actions made headlines across India.
Vice President of India
In July 2022, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) chose Jagdeep Dhankhar as its candidate for Vice President of India. He ran against Margaret Alva from the opposition. The election happened on August 6, 2022. Jagdeep won with 528 votes out of 710. This was a huge victory. He became the 14th Vice President of India on August 11, 2022. The President of India, Droupadi Murmu, gave him the oath of office. As Vice President, he also became the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. This role was important. He guided the discussions in the Upper House of Parliament.
As Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar worked with dedication. He spoke about India’s culture and history. He believed in the power of education and tradition. He often talked about Sanskrit and its importance. He called it a “cultural anchor” for India. He also supported Ayurveda and other traditional medicines. He wanted India to balance old practices with modern science. In November 2022, he visited Cambodia for the ASEAN-India Summit. He also went to Qatar and London for official events. These visits showed India’s growing role in the world.
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s tenure as Vice President was not without challenges. Some people felt he was too close to the BJP government. They said he was not neutral as the Rajya Sabha Chairman. He also spoke against the judiciary at times. He questioned the Basic Structure Doctrine, which limits Parliament’s power to change the Constitution. These comments caused debates. Some praised his boldness, while others criticized him. Despite this, he remained focused on his duties.
Resignation
In July 2025, Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned as Vice President. He said he needed to focus on his health. In his resignation letter, he thanked President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He also praised India’s growth during his time in office. His sudden exit shocked many. It was the first time a Vice President resigned in the middle of a term. The Election Commission soon started the process to choose a new Vice President.
Personal Life
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s personal life is simple and inspiring. In 1979, he married Dr. Sudesh Dhankhar. They have a daughter named Kamna. His family has been his strength throughout his journey. From a village boy to a top lawyer and Vice President, his life shows the power of hard work. He faced many challenges but never gave up. His story inspires young Indians to dream big.
Jagdeep Dhankhar’s life is a mix of law, politics, and public service. He worked in courts, Parliament, and state assemblies. He served as a Governor and Vice President. His journey is unique because he stayed true to his roots. He spoke about India’s culture and traditions with pride. He believed in the strength of democracy. Even after resigning, his legacy lives on. People will remember him as a man who rose from a small village to the second-highest office in India.
In conclusion, Jagdeep Dhankhar’s story is one of courage and determination. He worked hard to achieve his dreams. His life teaches us that success comes from effort and belief in oneself. From Kithana to the Rashtrapati Bhavan, his journey is a lesson for all. He faced challenges but always moved forward. His contributions to India’s politics and law will not be forgotten. Jagdeep Dhankhar is a true example of what a person can achieve with dedication and hard work.