Rajya Sabha Equation Likely to Shift in 2026 as Polls Are Held for Around 75 Seats

New Delhi: As the new year begins, the turmoil in politics in the upper house of Parliament is going to intensify. According to various reports, elections will be held on about 75 Rajya Sabha seats in 2026, which means the tenure of so many MPs will be completed and new names will come in their place. For this reason, both the ruling party and the opposition have their eyes fixed on the “counting,” because the balance of power in the House can change due to some seats here and there. 

When will the seats become vacant, and what is the time frame of the elections?

According to the current information, Rajya Sabha seats will not be vacant simultaneously but in different phases. It is estimated that this trend will be seen around April, June, and November. During this time, assembly elections are also to be held in some states; hence, the pressure on political parties will be double. On one hand, the accounts of power in the states will have to be settled, while on the other hand, the numbers of Rajya Sabha will also have to be kept in mind.

Which states may see the greatest impact?

The picture of Rajya Sabha directly depends on the strength of the state assemblies. Therefore, where seats are fewer or equations are delicate, the competition is sure to be tough. In the reports, 10 seats of Uttar Pradesh and 5 seats of Bihar are especially in discussion. Apart from these, there is scope for change in Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, and some northeastern states also. This is the reason why all parties will keep their eyes on these states.

Which big faces are talking about their tenure ending?

The leaders whose tenure is being discussed to be completed in 2026 are said to include some big names from both the ruling party and the opposition. Various reports also indicate that strategies have already started being made within the parties regarding the retirement/re-election of many senior leaders, because the meaning of each seat is linked to the strength of votes in the House.

Why does this “math” matter to both the government and the opposition?

The real test on many important bills, amendments, and proposals in Rajya Sabha is numbers. If an alliance gets additional seats in some states, it can strengthen its position in the House. For this reason, the 2026 elections are not being considered just as “routine retirement” but are being considered as a mood-turner of the politics within the Parliament. 

How are Rajya Sabha elections held?

Rajya Sabha members are not directly elected by public vote. They are elected by the MLAs of the state assemblies; that is, it is an indirect election. Therefore, how many MLAs a party has in a state decides how many Rajya Sabha seats are likely to go to whose account. The member list and procedures are also available on the official website of the Parliament. 

What to keep an eye on in the coming months?

The real picture will become clear when the parties decide the candidates and in which direction the alliances/agreements go in some states. In many places, “one seat” also gives a big message; hence, in 2026, every announcement, every name, and every seat of Rajya Sabha will have its own political meaning.