Former Vice President of India Jagdeep Dhankhar was admitted to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi on Monday after experiencing two episodes of loss of consciousness over the weekend, officials said. The 74-year-old leader is currently undergoing medical evaluation, including advanced diagnostic tests, as doctors seek to determine the cause of his recurring health issues.

According to officials cited by news agency PTI, Dhankhar experienced the two incidents on Saturday, January 10, when he reportedly lost consciousness while going to the washroom. Following these episodes, he was advised to undergo a detailed medical assessment. On Monday, when Dhankhar visited AIIMS for what was initially planned as a routine check-up, doctors decided that his condition warranted hospitalisation for closer monitoring and further tests.

“Today, he had gone to AIIMS for a check-up when the doctors insisted that he should get admitted for tests,” an official familiar with the matter told PTI. Medical sources indicated that doctors are expected to conduct an MRI scan and other examinations as part of the diagnostic process to assess any underlying neurological or cardiovascular causes.

Dhankhar resigned from the post of Vice President on July 21 last year, citing health reasons. The decision came as a surprise to many in political circles and triggered widespread speculation at the time, as he had shown no overt signs of stepping away from public life in the preceding weeks. His resignation, which was accepted by President Droupadi Murmu, brought an abrupt end to his tenure as the country’s second-highest constitutional authority.

Following his resignation, Dhankhar largely withdrew from the public eye and made only limited appearances at select events. Officials now say that his health concerns may have been more persistent than previously known. According to one official, Dhankhar has reportedly blacked out on several occasions in recent months while attending public engagements across different parts of the country.

These episodes are said to have occurred at events in the Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Kerala, and even in the national capital. While none of these incidents were publicly discussed at the time, they are now being cited by officials as part of a pattern of recurring health problems that may have contributed to his decision to step down as Vice President.

Despite his hospitalisation, there has been no official statement so far from Dhankhar or his family regarding his current condition. AIIMS has also not released a formal medical bulletin, and officials said further updates would depend on the outcome of the ongoing tests and assessments.

Dhankhar, a senior lawyer and seasoned politician, served as the 14th Vice President of India from August 2022 until his resignation in July 2025. Prior to assuming the vice-presidential office, he was the Governor of West Bengal from 2019 to 2022, a tenure marked by frequent confrontations with the Trinamool Congress-led state government and Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. His outspoken style and sharp interventions on constitutional and political issues had made him a prominent and sometimes polarising figure in public life.

As Vice President, Dhankhar also served as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, where he was known for his strict enforcement of parliamentary rules and his emphasis on discipline and decorum in the Upper House. His tenure saw several heated exchanges with opposition members, but he consistently projected himself as a defender of constitutional values and parliamentary traditions.

The abrupt nature of his resignation last year had raised questions about the severity of his health issues. At the time, Dhankhar cited medical advice and the need to focus on his well-being, but details were not elaborated upon. Political leaders across party lines had wished him well, even as speculation swirled about the timing and circumstances of his decision.

Monday’s hospitalisation has once again brought Dhankhar’s health into focus. Medical experts note that repeated episodes of loss of consciousness, especially in older individuals, can have a range of causes, including cardiac arrhythmias, neurological conditions, sudden drops in blood pressure, or metabolic imbalances. They stress that comprehensive evaluation, including imaging studies such as MRI scans, is essential to arrive at an accurate diagnosis.

Officials said that Dhankhar is under close observation at AIIMS, one of the country’s premier medical institutions, and that doctors are taking a cautious approach given his age and medical history. While there has been no indication so far that his condition is life-threatening, the decision to admit him suggests that doctors want to rule out any serious underlying issues.

The news of his hospitalisation has prompted concern among political leaders and former colleagues, many of whom have privately enquired about his condition. However, in the absence of an official medical update, there has been no public comment from senior leaders of the Bharatiya Janata Party or other political parties.

Dhankhar’s health journey over the past year highlights the physical toll that high constitutional offices can take, particularly on leaders in their seventies who maintain demanding schedules and face constant political pressure. His experience has also reignited conversations about the need for greater transparency and support mechanisms when senior public figures step down on health grounds.

For now, attention remains focused on his recovery and the results of the tests being conducted at AIIMS. Officials said further clarity on his condition is expected once doctors complete the diagnostic procedures and assess the findings.

As the country awaits updates, Dhankhar’s hospitalisation serves as a reminder of his long and eventful public career and the personal challenges that often accompany life in the highest echelons of political office.