Six Vice-Presidents from the South: A look at their offices in photos
From Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan to Venkaiah Naidu, leaders from the Southern states have shaped the office of Vice President -- with CP Radhakrishnan or Justice (retd) B Sudershan Reddy possibly set to carry the legacy forward.
In the race for the second highest Constitutional post of the country, are now two contenders from South India, who will go on to become the seventh Vice-President of India from the Southern states. Maharashtra Governor CP Radhakrishnan, who began his political journey as an RSS swayamsevak, was on Sunday named the NDA’s candidate. If his nomination sails through – the NDA has the requisite numbers – Radhakrishnan will be the third Vice President from Tamil Nadu, after Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan and R Venkataraman. On the other hand, former judge of Supreme Court Justice B Sudershan Reddy, who was nominated by the INDIA bloc on Tuesday, hails from Andhra Pradesh. He too will be the third Vice President from Andhra Pradesh, after Dr Zakir Hussain as he was born in Hyderabad (then a princely state and now in Telangana), and M Venkaiah Naidu. (Image: Justice (retired) B Sudershan Reddy (left) and CP Radhakrishnan with PM Modi | DD News & X/@narendramodi)
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Dr Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888–1975): Born in Thiruthani, Tamil Nadu, Radhakrishnan rose from humble beginnings to become India’s first Vice President (1952–1962) and second President (1962–1967). A distinguished philosopher, educator, and author, he served as King George V Professor of Philosophy, Vice-Chancellor of Andhra University and Banaras Hindu University, and Indian Ambassador to the USSR. He presided over key institutions like the Indian Philosophical Congress, UNESCO Executive Board, and University Education Commission. Honoured with the Bharat Ratna in 1954, his writings and vision continue to inspire generations. Married to S Sivakamamma. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
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Dr Zakir Husain (1897–1969): Born in Hyderabad to Shri Fida Husain, he served as India’s second Vice President (1962–1967) and third President (1967–1969). A visionary educationist and scholar, he was Vice-Chancellor of Jamia Millia Islamia (1926–1948) and Aligarh Muslim University (1948–1956), and led institutions like the Hindustani Talimi Sangh and Central Board of Secondary Education. Author of works including Shiksha, Capitalism: An Essay in Understanding, and Urdu translations of Plato’s Republic, he championed educational reform and ethical governance. Honoured with the Padma Vibhushan (1954) and Bharat Ratna (1963), Dr Husain’s legacy continues to inspire generations of educators and leaders. Married to Shahjehan Begum. (Image: Zakir Hussain with Aga Khan IV | Wikimedia Commons)
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Basappa Danappa Jatti (1912–2002): Popularly known as BD Jatti, he was India’s fifth Vice President (1974–1979) and served as Acting President from February to July 1977 during a crucial political transition. Born in Bijapur, Karnataka, to Danappa Jatti, he pursued BA, LLB before entering public life. Starting as a legislator and later Chief Minister in the princely state of Jamkhandi, he went on to hold ministerial roles in Bombay and Mysore States, including Finance, Food, Health, and Labour. He also chaired the Mysore State Land Reforms Committee. His distinguished career included terms as Lt Governor of Pondicherry (1968–1972) and Governor of Odisha (1972–1974). Remembered for his simplicity, integrity, and commitment to public service, Jatti played a steadying role in Indian politics. Married to Sangamma. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Ramasamy Venkataraman (1910–2009): Widely known as R Venkataraman, he was India’s seventh Vice President (1984–1987) and later served as the eighth President (1987–1992). Born in Rajamadam, Tamil Nadu, to K Ramaswami Iyer, he held degrees in MA, BL and Doctorate of Laws, and received honorary doctorates from several universities. A freedom fighter honoured with the Tamra Patra, he began his public life in the Madras Legislature before serving in the Provisional Parliament and Lok Sabha. He held key portfolios in the Madras Government (Industries, Labour, Cooperation, Power, Transport) and at the Centre (Finance, Defence). Internationally, he served on the UN Administrative Tribunal (1955–79), becoming its President in 1968. He also chaired cultural and peace institutions like the ICCR and the Indira Gandhi Prize Jury. Recipient of numerous honours, including Sat Seva Ratna by the Kanchi Sankaracharya, Venkataraman is remembered as a statesman who combined administrative acumen with a deep commitment to public service. Married to Janaki Venkataraman. (Image: President Venkataraman presenting the Arjuna award in 1990 | Wikimedia Commons)
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Kocheril Raman Narayanan (1920–2005): Born in Uzhavoor, Kerala, to Kocheril Ramari Vaidyan, KR Narayanan became the first Vice President from Kerala (1992–1997) and went on to serve as India’s 10th President (1997–2002) — also the nation’s first Dalit to hold the office. A brilliant scholar, he earned his MA in English Literature from the University of Travancore and a First Class Honours degree in Economics from the London School of Economics. He began his career as a lecturer and journalist before joining the Indian Foreign Service in 1949, serving as Ambassador to Thailand, Turkey, China, and the United States. He also taught at the Delhi School of Economics, led Jawaharlal Nehru University as Vice-Chancellor, and later became Union Minister for Planning, External Affairs, Science & Technology, and more. Widely respected as the “people’s President,” Narayanan was a champion of social justice, diplomacy, and inclusive governance. Married to Usha Narayanan. (Image: Dumar Lal Baitha with KR Narayanan | Wikimedia Commons)
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Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu (b. 1949): Born in Chavatapalem, Nellore district, Andhra Pradesh, to a farmer’s family, M Venkaiah Naidu became India’s 13th Vice President (2017–2022) after decades of active political and social service. A law graduate from Andhra University, he began his public life as a student leader and rose through the ranks of the Janata Party and later the BJP, serving as its national president and a four-time Rajya Sabha MP. He held key Union portfolios including Rural Development, Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Parliamentary Affairs, and Information & Broadcasting. Internationally, he represented India at UN Habitat and several global forums. As Vice President, he was Chancellor of major universities and President of institutions like the Indian Institute of Public Administration and Indian Council of World Affairs. An eloquent orator and prolific writer, his works include Listening, Learning and Leading and Moving on… Moving Forward. Honoured abroad with distinctions like the “Order of the Green Crescent” (Comoros, 2019), Naidu is known for his emphasis on rural development, sustainable urbanisation, and his philosophy of “reform, perform, and transform.” Married to Usha Naidu, with one son and one daughter. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
