New Delhi, India — May 22, 2026
The Election Commission of India on Friday announced the schedule for elections to 24 Rajya Sabha seats spread across 10 states, triggering fresh political activity ahead of the upcoming parliamentary contests.
According to the Election Commission, polling for all 24 seats will be conducted on June 18, 2026, as several sitting members of the Upper House are set to retire between June 21 and July 19.
The elections will take place in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram.
Among these states, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, and Karnataka will each witness polling for four Rajya Sabha seats, making them key battlegrounds in the upcoming Upper House elections.
Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan will vote for three seats each, while Jharkhand will elect representatives for two seats. One seat each will go to polls in Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, and Mizoram.
The Election Commission said the vacancies are arising due to the retirement of current Rajya Sabha members whose terms are ending on different dates over the coming weeks.
Following the announcement, political parties in the concerned states intensified internal discussions and candidate selection processes, with alliances and legislative strength expected to play a crucial role in the outcome.
Rajya Sabha elections are conducted through an indirect voting system in which elected members of state legislative assemblies cast their votes to elect representatives to the Upper House of Parliament.
The upcoming elections are likely to be closely watched for their potential impact on the parliamentary arithmetic of major national and regional parties.
