After the death of Dr. Zakir Husain, V.V. Giri became the first ever Acting President of India in 1969. When President Zakir Husain died on 3rd May 1969, Giri was elevated to the office of Acting President the same day.
On 20th July 1969, he resigned from the post of Acting President to contest election as an independent candidate. He won the election, and held office for a full term of five years from 24th August 1969, to 24th August 1974. He became the only person to be elected President as an independent candidate.
He was considered as one of the prominent figures behind the trade union movements in India. He not only organised the labour force of India and improved their condition, but also include them in the national struggle for independence. Along with his fellow Congress workers from different parts of the country, he succeeded in forming the All India Trade Union Congress. He served as its president in 1926 and 1942.
V.V. Giri was honored by the Government of India with the Bharat Ratna in 1975.
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