Who is Jagdeep Dhankar, India's 14th Vice President?

Former West Bengal Governor and National Democratic Alliance (NDA) candidate Jagdeep Dhankhar takes oath as the next Vice President of India' on Thursday.

Dhankhar was elected as the Vice President on August 6. He defeated the Opposition's Margaret Alva to emerge as a winner.

On August 7, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar and Election Commissioner Anup Chandra Pandey jointly signed the 'Certification of the Election of Jagdeep Dhankar as the next Vice President of India'.

The BJP-led NDA candidate won the election comfortably with 528 votes against Alva's 182. The Vice President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.

Dhankhar secured 74.36 per cent. He has the highest winning margin in the last six vice presidential elections held since 1997.

Who is Jagdeep Dhankar?

Born on may 18, 1951 in Kithana village in Rajasthan, Jagdeep was a lawyer by profession before his foray into the world of politics. He is alumnus of Maharaja's College in Jaipur and Jaipur University. He got his degree in Physics from Maharaj's College and LLB degree from the university.

He studied at Sainik School in Chittorgarh when he was young.

Dhankar was enrolled with the Bar Council of Rajasthan as an Advocate with effect from November 10, 1979. He became President of Rajasthan High Court Bar Association in 1987.

Dhankhar, who practised in Rajasthan High Court and the Supreme Court, was designated a senior advocate in 1990.

His foray into politics happened in 1989 when he was elected to Lok Sabha from Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan. He became a Union Minister in 1990 and erved as Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs.

Dhankar was also member Rajasthan Vidhan Sabha from 1993 to 1998.

The BJP leader was first a member of Congress and had reportedly left the party after Ashok Gehlot's rise in Rajasthan Politics. The leader joined Congress when PV Narsimha Rao became the prime minister and his mentor Devi Lal was no more effective.

According to reports, Dhankar grew closer to BJP leader Vasundhara Raje. However, for quite some time, he put a pause on his political career and focused more on his legal career.