New Delhi, February 18, 2026:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced the schedule for conducting the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha to fill 37 seats that will fall vacant in April 2026. These seats belong to members elected from 10 states whose terms are set to expire.

According to the official notification issued by PIB Delhi, the election process will be conducted as per the following schedule:

🗓 Election Schedule

• => Issue of Notification: February 26, 2026 (Thursday)

• => Last Date for Filing Nominations: March 5, 2026 (Thursday)

• => Scrutiny of Nominations: March 6, 2026 (Friday)

• => Last Date for Withdrawal of Candidature: March 9, 2026 (Monday)

• => Date of Poll: March 16, 2026 (Monday)

• => Polling Time: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM

• => Counting of Votes: March 16, 2026 at 5:00 PM

• => Completion of Election Process: Before March 20, 2026 (Friday)

🖊 Special Voting Instructions

The Commission has directed that electors must use only the pre-specified purple integrated pen supplied by the Returning Officer to mark their preference on the ballot paper. The use of any other pen will not be permitted.

To ensure free and fair elections, observers will be appointed to closely monitor the entire polling process.

🏛 States and Members Retiring

A total of 37 members from the following 10 states will retire in April 2026:

• >> Maharashtra

• >> Odisha

• >> Tamil Nadu

• >> West Bengal

• >> Assam

• >> Bihar

• >> Chhattisgarh

• >> Haryana

• >> Himachal Pradesh

• >> Telangana

Prominent retiring members include:

• >> Sharad Pawar (Maharashtra)

• >> Ramdas Athawale (Maharashtra)

• >> Saket Gokhale (West Bengal)

• >> Abhishek Manu Singhvi (Telangana)

• >> Upendra Kushwaha (Bihar)

One seat from West Bengal has been vacant since January 5, 2026.

📘 About Rajya Sabha Elections

The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is the Upper House of India’s Parliament. Members are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies through proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.

Biennial elections are held every two years as one-third of the members retire upon completion of their six-year term. This ensures continuity in the functioning of the Upper House.

⚖ Importance of Biennial Elections

Rajya Sabha elections play a crucial role in maintaining legislative balance and federal representation. The Upper House reviews, amends, and debates legislation passed by the Lok Sabha, ensuring wider consultation and state representation in national policymaking.

With the announcement of the election schedule, political activities in the concerned states are expected to intensify ahead of the March 16 polling date.