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Harivansh likely to return as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

April 13, 2026 4 min read Polity & Governance GS Paper 2 (Indian Polity Parliament)
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What Happened

  • The government reached out to opposition parties to build consensus for the return of Harivansh Narayan Singh as Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
  • If elected, this would mark the first time in Indian constitutional history that a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha holds the office of Deputy Chairman.
  • Harivansh, a former journalist, completed two terms as an elected Rajya Sabha member from Bihar (JD-U quota). After his elected term ended, President Droupadi Murmu nominated him to the Rajya Sabha in April 2026 under Article 80, recognising his distinguished contributions to journalism.
  • He served as Deputy Chairman from 2018 to 2022 and again from 2022 to 2024. His potential re-election in 2026 as a nominated member would be constitutionally unprecedented.

Static Topic Bridges

Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha: Article 89

Article 89(2) of the Constitution states that the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) shall elect one of its members to be the Deputy Chairman. The Constitution does not distinguish between elected and nominated members for the purpose of eligibility — it simply says "one of its members." The Deputy Chairman presides over Rajya Sabha in the absence of the Chairman (the Vice-President). The office is created by the Constitution and the holder draws salary and allowances charged to the Consolidated Fund of India.

  • Elected by Rajya Sabha members through a simple majority vote; any member may propose and second a candidate.
  • Term: until the member ceases to be a Rajya Sabha member, or resigns, or is removed by a resolution of all then members of Rajya Sabha (14 days' notice required).
  • When the Deputy Chairman presides, he has the same powers as the Chairman.
  • The Deputy Chairman cannot preside when a resolution for his own removal is being considered (Article 92).
  • Unlike the Lok Sabha Speaker, the Deputy Chairman is NOT constitutionally required to resign his party membership.

Connection to this news: Because Article 89(2) uses the phrase "one of its members" without specifying elected versus nominated status, Harivansh's nomination under Article 80 makes him constitutionally eligible. His election would be the first exercise of this technically permissible but historically untested constitutional possibility.

Nominated Members of Rajya Sabha: Article 80

Article 80(1)(a) and 80(3) of the Constitution provide that the President shall nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from persons having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service. The purpose is to bring distinguished non-political talent into the legislative process. Nominated members are full members of the House — they can vote, speak, and hold constitutional offices.

  • 12 nominated seats out of total 250 Rajya Sabha seats (238 elected + 12 nominated).
  • Nominated members cannot vote in Presidential elections (Article 54 — only elected MPs participate).
  • They CAN vote in Vice-Presidential elections (Article 66 — all members of both Houses participate).
  • Nomination is for 6 years; nominated members can be renominated.
  • They may join a political party within 6 months of nomination without attracting disqualification under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law).

Connection to this news: Harivansh was renominated under Article 80(1)(a) in the journalism category in April 2026 — his third Rajya Sabha term — making him eligible to stand for Deputy Chairman.

Chairman and Deputy Chairman: Roles in Rajya Sabha

The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha (Article 89(1)). The Deputy Chairman independently presides in the Chairman's absence and performs all functions of the Chairman when so acting. The Rajya Sabha, unlike the Lok Sabha, is a permanent house — it cannot be dissolved (Article 83(1)). The continuity of the Deputy Chairman post is therefore important for the functioning of the upper house.

  • Deputy Chairman is not a member of the Council of Ministers.
  • During the pendency of a resolution for removal of the Deputy Chairman, he cannot preside (Article 92(1)).
  • The Deputy Chairman may speak and vote in Rajya Sabha as a member (unlike the Speaker of Lok Sabha who has only a casting vote).
  • Salaries determined by Parliament by law; in absence of such law, determined by the Second Schedule.

Connection to this news: The government's outreach to opposition reflects that electing the Deputy Chairman requires consensus-building, as it is a House election — not a government appointment.

Key Facts & Data

  • Article 89(2): Rajya Sabha elects one of its members as Deputy Chairman.
  • Article 80(1)(a) and 80(3): President nominates 12 members for literature, science, art, and social service.
  • Harivansh Narayan Singh: former editor of Prabhat Khabar; served as Deputy Chairman 2018–2022 and 2022–2024.
  • Nominated to Rajya Sabha April 2026 — third consecutive term.
  • Total Rajya Sabha strength: 250 members (238 elected, 12 nominated).
  • Nominated members are eligible for Vice-Presidential elections but not Presidential elections.
  • No constitutional bar prevents a nominated member from holding the Deputy Chairman post.