NEW DELHI (Feb 18, 2026) — The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that biennial elections for 37 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states will be held on March 16, 2026. These vacancies are set to arise in April as the six-year terms of several high-profile members conclude.
Key Election Dates
The poll panel has outlined a swift timeline for the election process:
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Notification Issued: February 26
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Last Date for Nominations: March 5
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Scrutiny of Nominations: March 6
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Withdrawal Deadline: March 9
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Polling Date: March 16 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
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Counting of Votes: March 16 (Starts at 5:00 PM)
State-Wise Vacancies
The 37 seats are distributed across the following states:
| State | Seats | State | Seats |
| Maharashtra | 7 | Bihar | 5 |
| Tamil Nadu | 6 | Odisha | 4 |
| West Bengal | 5 | Assam | 3 |
| Telangana | 2 | Haryana | 2 |
| Chhattisgarh | 2 | Himachal Pradesh | 1 |
Heavyweights Bowing Out
Several veteran leaders are among the 37 whose terms expire this April, potentially shifting the internal dynamics of the Upper House:
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Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP): The 85-year-old Maharashtra veteran has hinted at contesting again despite earlier retirement talks.
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Mallikarjun Kharge (INC): The Congress President’s term from Karnataka concludes.
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Abhishek Manu Singhvi (INC): His term from Telangana is ending.
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Harivansh Narayan Singh (JD-U): The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
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Priyanka Chaturvedi (SS-UBT): One of the prominent voices from Maharashtra.
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Ramdas Athawale (RPI-A): Union Minister and RPI chief.
The Numbers Game
As of mid-2025, the BJP’s tally crossed 100 for the first time since 2022. These elections are crucial for the ruling NDA as they seek to solidify their majority, making it easier to pass key legislation without relying heavily on regional “swing” parties like the BJD or YSRCP.
