What Happened
- Harivansh Narayan Singh was re-elected as the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha for a third consecutive term on April 17, 2026, in an unopposed election.
- The opposition boycotted the election — their candidates did not file nominations, making Harivansh's re-election a walkover.
- This is historically significant: Harivansh is a nominated member of Rajya Sabha (nominated by the President in the field of journalism) — he is the first nominated MP in Indian parliamentary history to be elected as Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
- PM Narendra Modi and Opposition Leader Mallikarjun Kharge both praised his re-election.
- Harivansh (full name Harivansh Narayan Singh, born 1956) is a veteran journalist who edited the Hindi daily Prabhat Khabar for decades before being nominated to Rajya Sabha.
Static Topic Bridges
Article 89 — Chairman and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha
Article 89 establishes the constitutional offices of the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha). These offices ensure the continuous and orderly conduct of Rajya Sabha business.
- Article 89(1): The Vice-President of India shall be ex-officio Chairman of the Council of States — meaning the Vice-President presides over Rajya Sabha by virtue of holding the VP office, not by separate election to the Chairman post
- Article 89(2): The Council of States shall, as soon as may be, choose a member of the Council to be Deputy Chairman thereof — this is an elected position, chosen by Rajya Sabha members from among themselves
- The Deputy Chairman is elected from among Rajya Sabha members — by members of Rajya Sabha — by simple majority of members present and voting
- The Deputy Chairman performs the functions of the Chairman when the Chairman is absent or during any period when the Vice-President acts as President
- Salary and allowances of Deputy Chairman: Charged to Consolidated Fund of India (as per Fifth Schedule to the Constitution read with the Salaries and Allowances of Officers of Parliament Act)
- Term: The Deputy Chairman holds office as long as they are a member of Rajya Sabha
Connection to this news: Harivansh's re-election to the Deputy Chairmanship is noteworthy because Article 89(2) simply says "a member of the Council" — there is no bar on nominated members holding this position. His election to the post three consecutive times as a nominated (not elected) member is a constitutional first.
Article 80 — Nominated Members of Rajya Sabha
Article 80 defines the composition of Rajya Sabha. It provides for both elected and nominated members, with the nominated members serving a specific constitutional function.
- Article 80(1)(a): The President shall nominate 12 members to Rajya Sabha
- Article 80(3): The 12 nominees must be persons "having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of literature, science, art and social service" — the Constitution specifies these four fields
- Maximum strength of Rajya Sabha: 250 (238 elected from states and UTs + 12 nominated)
- Current strength: 245 (233 elected + 12 nominated)
- Nominated members have the same rights as elected members (including voting rights) with one exception — they cannot vote in the election of the President under Article 54
- Notable nominated members historically: Sarojini Naidu, Homi Jehangir Bhabha, M.S. Subbulakshmi, Sachin Tendulkar, Rekha, Anu Aga
- Term of nominated members: 6 years (same as elected Rajya Sabha members)
- Harivansh was nominated in the field of journalism — a sub-category of "art and social service" broadly construed
Connection to this news: A nominated member's eligibility to be elected Deputy Chairman is not explicitly addressed in Article 89, which says only "a member of the Council." Since nominated members are full members of the Council, there is no constitutional bar — and Harivansh's elections have established this as a precedent.
Article 90 — Vacation, Resignation, and Removal of Deputy Chairman
Article 90 sets out the circumstances under which the Deputy Chairman vacates office, the procedure for resignation, and the method of removal.
- Article 90(a) — Automatic vacation: Deputy Chairman vacates office if they cease to be a member of Rajya Sabha
- Article 90(b) — Resignation: Deputy Chairman may resign by writing under their hand to the Chairman (i.e., the Vice-President)
- Article 90(c) — Removal: Deputy Chairman may be removed by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of Rajya Sabha (i.e., effective majority, not simple majority)
- Notice requirement for removal: A resolution for removal cannot be moved unless at least 14 days' notice has been given of the intention to move such a resolution
- During pendency of a removal resolution: The Deputy Chairman shall not preside over the sitting of the House (though they may be present and speak)
- Analogous provisions: Speaker of Lok Sabha is removed under Article 94 by resolution of the majority of all then members of Lok Sabha; same effective majority requirement
Connection to this news: Harivansh's security of tenure is constitutionally guaranteed — he can only be removed by a resolution carrying an effective majority of Rajya Sabha. With NDA's Rajya Sabha strength and the opposition's history of not nominating candidates against him, his position appears secure for the remainder of his term.
Key Facts & Data
- Re-election: Third consecutive term as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman (April 17, 2026)
- First nominated MP to become Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman: Constitutional first in India
- Article governing the office: Article 89 (creation), Article 90 (vacation/removal), Article 91 (functions of Deputy Chairman)
- Harivansh's Rajya Sabha category: Nominated member (field of journalism)
- Article 80(3) fields for nomination: Literature, science, art, social service
- Nominated members: 12 (cannot vote in Presidential elections under Article 54)
- Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman's salary: Charged to Consolidated Fund of India
- Removal threshold: Majority of ALL THEN members of Rajya Sabha (effective majority under Article 90(c))
- Notice required before removal resolution: 14 days
- Distinction from Chairman: Chairman = Vice-President ex-officio; Deputy Chairman = elected from members
- Article 91: Deputy Chairman exercises powers of Chairman when Chair is vacant or absent