<PAGE>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT (NO. 2-56846) UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
PRE-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO.
POST-EFFECTIVE AMENDMENT NO. 65
AND
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940
AMENDMENT NO. 67
VANGUARD INDEX TRUST
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN DECLARATION OF TRUST)
P.O. BOX 2600, VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)
REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER (610) 669-1000
R. GREGORY BARTON, ESQUIRE
P.O. BOX 876
VALLEY FORGE, PA 19482
It is proposed that this filing become effective on January 11, 2001, pursuant
to Rule (b)(i)(v) of Rule 485. This post-effective amendment is being made to
extend the date of effectiveness for previously filed post-effective amendments
(Post-Effective Amendments No. 61 and 64).
<PAGE>
December 12, 2000
U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission
450 Fifth Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20549
RE: VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS (THE TRUST)
FILE NO. 2-56846
----------------------------------------------------------------
Commissioners:
Pursuant to Rule 485(b)(i)(v) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, we
are submitting this filing for the sole purpose of extending the pending
effective date of the 61st and 64th Post-Effective Amendments to the Trust's
Registration Statement. Post-Effective Amendment No.61 originally requested an
effective date of November 13, 2000. Post-Effective Amendment No.64 requested an
extension date of December 13, 2000. It is proposed that this filing become
effective on January 12, 2001, pursuant to Rule (b)(i)(v) of Rule 485. The
contents of the Post-Effective Amendment No. 61, which we filed under Rule
485(a) on September 13, 2000, are hereby incorporated by reference into this
letter.
Please contact me at (610) 503-2398 if you have any questions concerning this
amendment or the requested effective date. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Barry A. Mendelson
Principal and Associate Counsel
cc: Christian Sandoe, Esq., U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment
Company Act of 1940, the Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all
requirements for effectiveness of this Registration Statement pursuant to Rule
485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the Town of Valley Forge and the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, on
the 12th day of December, 2000.
VANGUARD INDEX FUNDS
BY:_____________(signature)________________
(HEIDI STAM) JOHN J. BRENNAN* CHAIRMAN AND
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Post-Effective Amendment to the Registration Statement has been signed below by
the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
SIGNATURE TITLE DATE
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By:/S/ JOHN J. BRENNAN President, Chairman, Chief December 12, 2000
---------------------------Executive Officer, and Trustee
(Heidi Stam)
John J. Brennan*
By:/S/ JOANN HEFFERNAN HEISEN Trustee December 12, 2000
---------------------------
(Heidi Stam)
JoAnn Heffernan Heisen*
By:/S/ BRUCE K. MACLAURY Trustee December 12, 2000
---------------------------
(Heidi Stam)
Bruce K. MacLaury*
By:/S/ BURTON G. MALKIEL Trustee December 12, 2000
---------------------------
(Heidi Stam)
Burton G. Malkiel*
By:/S/ ALFRED M. RANKIN, JR. Trustee December 12, 2000
---------------------------
(Heidi Stam)
Alfred M. Rankin, Jr.*
By:/S/ JAMES O. WELCH, JR. Trustee December 12, 2000
---------------------------
(Heidi Stam)
James O. Welch, Jr.*
By:/S/ J. LAWRENCE WILSON Trustee December 12, 2000
---------------------------
(Heidi Stam)
J. Lawrence Wilson*
By:/S/ THOMAS J. HIGGINS Treasurer and Principal December 12, 2000
---------------------------
(Heidi Stam) Financial Officer and Principal
Thomas J. Higgins* Accounting Officer
*By Power of Attorney. See File Number 33-4424, filed on January 25, 1999.
Incorporated by Reference.