Concept:
The Vice-President is the second-highest constitutional office in India. Many Vice-Presidents eventually go on to become the President, but some Presidents take different paths to the highest office.
Step 1: Verifying the Candidates.
• S. Radhakrishnan (4): India's first Vice-President (1952–1962).
• B.D. Jatti (3): Served as the fifth Vice-President (1974–1979).
• R. Venkatraman (1): Served as the seventh Vice-President (1984–1987) before becoming President.
Step 2: Identifying the Exception.
Ramnath Kovind served as the 14th President of India (2017–2022). Prior to that, he was the Governor of Bihar. Unlike the others on this list, he never held the office of the Vice-President.