19 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

Polity & GovernanceNEWS

Rajya Sabha Elections for 37 Seats Across 10 States Announced

Election Commission announces Rajya Sabha elections for 37 seats across 10 states.

The Election Commission announced that biennial elections to 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 States will be held on March 16. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is set to gain seats in the Upper House following the elections, as it has governments or is part of the ruling alliance in six of the 10 States. The States where the seats are falling vacant in April are Maharashtra (seven), Tamil Nadu (six), West Bengal and Bihar (five each), Odisha (four), Assam (three), Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Haryana (two each), and Himachal Pradesh (one).

Nine of the retiring members are from the BJP and two from ally JD(U). Nineteen members from the INDIA bloc are retiring. The notifications for the polls will be issued on February 26.

Polling will be held between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on March 16, and the votes will be counted from 5 p.m.

the same day.

Key Facts

Elections are for 37Rajya Sabha seats.

Elections will be held across 10States.

The elections are scheduled for March 16.

The BJP is expected to gain seats.

Seats are falling vacant in April.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Parliament and State Legislatures - structure, functioning, conduct of business, powers & privileges and issues arising out of these.

Connects to the federal structure of India and the representation of states in the Parliament.

Potential for statement-based questions on the election process and powers of the Rajya Sabha.

In Simple Words

The Rajya Sabha is like a second team in parliament. It has members elected by state MLAs. Every few years, some members retire and new ones are elected, which is what this news is about.

India Angle

Rajya Sabha elections affect which political party has more say in making laws. This can influence policies on things like agriculture, education, and healthcare, impacting the lives of farmers, students, and families.

For Instance

Think of it like a school committee where different classes elect representatives. When new reps are chosen, the committee's decisions can change based on who's in the majority.

These elections matter because they affect the laws that govern our country. The party with more seats can push through laws they want.

Rajya Sabha elections: where states choose who makes the laws.

Visual Insights

Rajya Sabha Elections - March 2026: States with Vacant Seats

This map shows the 10 states where Rajya Sabha elections will be held in March 2026 to fill 37 vacant seats. The BJP is expected to gain seats.

Loading interactive map...

📍Maharashtra📍Tamil Nadu📍West Bengal📍Bihar📍Odisha📍Assam📍Telangana📍Chhattisgarh📍Haryana📍Himachal Pradesh

More Information

Background

The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. Unlike the Lok Sabha, which is directly elected by the people, the Rajya Sabha is elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies and by an electoral college for Union Territories. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, but one-third of its members retire every two years, leading to biennial elections. This ensures continuity and representation of states in the federal structure. The elections to the Rajya Sabha are conducted according to the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. This system ensures that smaller parties and independent candidates also have a chance to get elected. The number of members each state sends to the Rajya Sabha is based on its population. The process is governed by the Representation of the People Act, 1951 and the rules framed thereunder by the Election Commission of India. The role of the Election Commission of India (ECI) is crucial in conducting free and fair elections to the Rajya Sabha. The ECI announces the schedule for elections, including the date of notification, last date for nominations, scrutiny of nominations, last date for withdrawal of candidatures, date of polling, and date of counting. The ECI also ensures that the Model Code of Conduct is followed by all political parties and candidates during the election process.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there have been discussions and debates regarding electoral reforms related to Rajya Sabha elections. One key area of focus has been on preventing cross-voting and ensuring transparency in the voting process. The use of open ballots in certain circumstances has also been a subject of discussion.

The composition of the Rajya Sabha has seen shifts due to various factors, including state assembly elections and party alliances. These changes in the political landscape at the state level directly impact the representation in the Upper House. The anti-defection law plays a crucial role in maintaining party discipline during Rajya Sabha elections.

Looking ahead, there is an expectation that the Rajya Sabha will continue to play a significant role in shaping legislation and holding the government accountable. The representation of diverse interests and perspectives in the Upper House is essential for a healthy democracy. Further reforms and improvements in the electoral process may be considered to enhance the effectiveness and legitimacy of the Rajya Sabha.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Rajya Sabha: 1. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. 2. One-third of the members of the Rajya Sabha retire every three years. 3. The Rajya Sabha elections are conducted using the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 and 2 only
B.1 and 3 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: B

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. This ensures continuity in the legislative process. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: One-third of the members of the Rajya Sabha retire every TWO years, not three. Statement 3 is CORRECT: The Rajya Sabha elections are conducted using the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. This ensures representation of smaller parties.

2. Which of the following statements is NOT correct regarding the Rajya Sabha elections announced in March 2024?

A.Elections are being held for 37 seats across 10 states.
B.The notifications for the polls will be issued on February 26.
C.Polling will be held between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on March 16.
D.Votes will be counted from 6 p.m. on March 16.

Show Answer

Answer: D

Option D is NOT correct. According to the news, the votes will be counted from 5 p.m. on March 16, not 6 p.m. Options A, B, and C are correct as per the information provided: 37 seats across 10 states, notification on February 26, and polling between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. on March 16.

3. Match List I (State) with List II (Number of Rajya Sabha Seats Vacant in April 2024) and select the correct answer using the code given below: List I (State) a. Maharashtra b. Tamil Nadu c. West Bengal d. Odisha List II (Number of Seats) 1. 6 2. 7 3. 5 4. 4 Code:

A.a-2, b-1, c-3, d-4
B.a-1, b-2, c-4, d-3
C.a-3, b-4, c-1, d-2
D.a-4, b-3, c-2, d-1

Show Answer

Answer: A

The correct matching is: a. Maharashtra - 7 b. Tamil Nadu - 6 c. West Bengal - 5 d. Odisha - 4 This information is directly from the news article about the Rajya Sabha elections.

4. Assertion (A): The Rajya Sabha is designed to be a check on hasty legislation passed by the Lok Sabha. Reason (R): The Rajya Sabha has the power to amend or reject financial bills. In the context of the above statements, which of the following is correct?

A.Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
B.Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
C.A is true but R is false
D.A is false but R is true

Show Answer

Answer: C

Assertion A is TRUE: The Rajya Sabha acts as a check on hasty legislation passed by the Lok Sabha due to its composition and the fact that it represents the states. Reason R is FALSE: The Rajya Sabha can only delay a financial bill for a maximum of 14 days. It cannot amend or reject it. The Lok Sabha has the final say on financial bills.