Preparations for the 2026 Rajya Sabha elections have gained momentum across the country. The Election Commission of India has announced elections for 37 seats across 10 states. These elections are for the Rajya Sabha, which is the Upper House of Parliament in India.

Voting will be conducted on March 16, 2026, and vote counting will also take place on the same day. The elections are being held because the tenure of several Rajya Sabha members is ending in April 2026.

States Where Elections Will Be Held

The vacant Rajya Sabha seats are from the following states:
Maharashtra,
Tamil Nadu,
West Bengal,
Bihar,
Assam,
Odisha,
Telangana,
Chhattisgarh,
Haryana,
Himachal Pradesh

Larger states like Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu will see elections on multiple seats, while Haryana and Himachal Pradesh will have elections on one seat each.

Complete Election Schedule

The Rajya Sabha election process will be conducted in multiple stages:

• Notification Release – 26 February 2026

• Last Date for Nomination – 5 March 2026

• Scrutiny of Nominations – 6 March 2026

• Last Date for Withdrawal – 9 March 2026

• Voting Date – 16 March 2026

• Counting of Votes – 16 March 2026

Voting will take place from 9 AM to 4 PM.

Why These Elections Are Important

The Rajya Sabha plays a crucial role in India’s parliamentary system. Changes in seat numbers can impact national politics and the passage of important laws.

With several senior leaders completing their tenure, political parties are preparing to field new candidates, making these elections politically significant.

The Rajya Sabha Elections 2026 are expected to play an important role in shaping future political equations in India. The results on March 16 will decide the strength of political parties in the Upper House for the coming years.