Uparashtradhyaksh

Deputy Supreme Head of the Nation
Uparashtradhyaksh उपराष्ट्राध्यक्ष
Royal coat of arms
Incumbent Bishnu Chetry of Uttaranchal since 20 July 2022
Style	His Majesty
Type	Semi-constitutional elective federal monarchy
Status	Deputy head of state
Residence	Rajya Niwas
Appointer	Conference of Rulers
Term length	Five years, renewable
Constituting instrument	Constitution of Vishwamitra, Article 24
Formation	8 June 2020 (2020-06-08)
First holder	Varuna Sriraya of Purvanchal
Unofficial names	Deputy King

The Uparashtradhyaksh (lit: Deputy Supreme Chairman of the Nation, Hindi: उपराष्ट्राध्यक्ष), also known as the Deputy Supreme Head of the Nation, the Deputy Supreme Ruler, and unofficially as the Deputy King/Queen of Vishwamitra, is the deputy semi-constitutional and executive monarch and deputy head of state of Vishwamitra who discharges the functions of the Rashtradhyaksh during any period when the Rashtradhyaksh is unable to exercise their functions owing to illness, absence from the union and for other reasons. The office is usually, and not always, the ruler next in line after the Rashtradhyaksh. The office was established in June 2020, when the Commonwealth of Friends Society (now Vishwamitra) transitioned into a monarchy along with the office of the Rashtradhyaksh. The Uparashtradhyaksh is also elected in the same procedure as the Rashtradhyaksh by the Conference of Rulers, comprising the six rulers of the Vishwamitran states, with the office de facto rotated between them, making Vishwamitra one of the few micronations with elective monarchies.

The 3rd and current Uparashtradhyaksh is Rajpramukh Bishnu Chetry of Uttaranchal, replacing Tanishkaa Patranabish of Beltola, who resigned on 20 July 2022. Bishnu was elected on 13 July 2022 at a special meeting of the Conference of Rulers and his tenure began 7 days later, on 20 July 2022.

The Uparashtradhyaksh's official style of address is His/Her Majesty, abbreviated as H.M., which is also used for the rulers of the other states.

Constitutional role

Article 24 states that there shall be a Deputy Supreme Head of the Nation, to be called the Uparashtradhyaksh, who shall exercise the functions and have the privileges of the Rashtradhyaksh during any vacancy in the office owning to illness, absence from the union or for any other cause, but the Uparashtradhyaksh shall not exercise those functions during any inability or absence of the Rashtradhyaksh which is less than fifteen days unless the Uparashtradhyaksh is satisfied that it is necessary or expedient to exercise such functions.

Regency

As specified in Article 28(1), in case of a temporary vacancy created in the position of the Rashtradhyaksh due to their absence from the Union, a visit outside the Union, the Rashtradhyaksh will be eligible to appoint any Member of the Conference of Rulers as a Regent pro tempore, from the date of their absence till their return. However in Article 28(2), it is mentioned that the Uparashtradhyaksh shall discharge the functions of the Regent pro tempore in the absence of the Rashtradhyaksh in the first place if the Rashtradhyaksh has not appointed a regent under Clause 1.

Election

The Uparashtradhyaksh is elected in the same process as the election of the Rashtradhyaksh as specified in Article 52 of the constitution.

Oath

Upon election as the Uparashtradhyaksh, an oath is needed to be subscribed which is mentioned in Article 26 of the constitution:

I, (name), Uparashtradhyaksh of Vishwamitra do hereby swear in the name of the Supreme Lord and by virtue of that oath do solemnly and truly declare that I shall justify and faithfully perform my duties in the administration of Vishwamitra in accordance with the Constitution which have been promulgated or which may be promulgated time to time in the future. Further I do solemnly and truly declare that I shall at all time protect the interests of my people and uphold the rules of law and order in the Nation.

Titles and style

Styles of The Uparashtradhyaksh
Reference style	His Majesty
Spoken style	Your Majesty

The Uparashtradhyaksh's full style and title in Malay is His Majesty Uparashtradhyaksh of Vishwamitra.

Common English terms used in the media, by the general public and in foreign correspondance include "Deputy Supreme Ruler", "Deputy Supreme Monarch", "Deputy Head of State", "Deputy Head of the Nation" and "Deputy Head of State of the Federation". The very common term "Deputy King" has also been conveniently used by the media, the public and in foreign correspondance, although incorrectly as it is not an official or legal title of the Uparashtradhyaksh.

In formal English correspondence, the Uparashtradhyaksh is referred to as "His Majesty The Uparashtradhyaksh". The official style of address of the Uparashtradhyaksh is His Majesty, the style of address also used by the Rajpramukhs of the states.

Formal address to the Uparashtradhyaksh is taken seriously in Malaysia. There are two ways of addressing the Uparashtradhyaksh:

• Hindi: महामहिम श्री
• English: Your Majesty

List

The following rulers have served as the Uparashtradhyaksh (lit. Deputy Rashtradhyaksh):

#	Portrait	Title Name (Lifespan)	Home state	Tenure of office Duration in years and days		Rashtradhyaksh (Reign)
1	File:Birthday Portrait of Rashtradhyaksh Varuna Sriraya (cropped).jpg	Rajpramukh of Purvanchal Varuna Sriraya (born 2002)	Purvanchal	8 June 2020	31 July 2020	Rashtradhyaksh I Tanishkaa Patranabish (8 Jun. – 29 Jul. 2020)
				53 days
			Varuna Sriraya, the Rajpramukh of Purvanchal was nominated and subsequently elected as the first Uparashtradhyaksh following the constitution of the monarchy on 8 June 2020. As Uparashtradhyaksh, he also discharged the duties as regent due to the incapability of the Rashtradhyaksh. However, consequent to the abdication of Tanishkaa Patranabish, he served as Acting Rashtradhyaksh until his election on 1 August 2020.
The position of Uparashtradhyaksh was abolished on 1 August 2020 and the duties were discharged by the Sah-Rashtradhyaksh until 31 December 2020, when the position of Uparashtradhyaksh was re-established.						Rashtradhyaksh II Varuna Sriraya (since 1 August 2020)
2	File:Portrait of Tanishkaa Patranabish (2021).jpeg	Rajpramukh of Beltola Tanishkaa Patranabish (born 2004)	Beltola	1 January 2021	20 July 2022
				1 year, 200 days
			Tanishkaa Patranabish, then Sah-Rashtradhyaksh and Rajpramukh of Beltola was appointed as Uparashtradhyaksh on 1 January 2021. She continued to remain in her position until her relinquishing her duties as deputy monarch on 20 July 2022.
3		Rajpramukh of Uttaranchal Bishnu Chetry (born 2001)	Uttaranchal	20 July 2022	—
				1 year, 274 days
			Bishnu Chetry, the Rajpramukh of Uttaranchal was elected as the third Uparashtradhyaksh by the Conference of Rulers on 13 July 2022 following the stepping down of Tanishkaa Patranabish from the position. He assumed the duties of his position on 20 July 2022. Also served as Regent between 1 October and 5 October 2022 and became the first non-head of state to dissolve the parliament and appoint the prime minister. Subsequently, also served as Acting Rashtradhyaksh between 22 February 2023 and 4 March 2023 during the period of permanent absence of the Rashtradhyaksh from the national territory.

See also

• Rashtradhyaksh
• Monarchies of Vishwamitra
• Succession to the Vishwamitran thrones