Consider the following statements regarding the reconstituted Panel of Vice-Chairpersons of the Rajya Sabha effective 15 April 2026:\n1. The panel comprises six members drawn from BJP, Congress, AIADMK and BJD.\n2. A Vice-Chairperson presides only when the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is absent; the Deputy Chairman cannot delegate the Chair to a Vice-Chairperson.\n3. While in the Chair, a Vice-Chairperson exercises the same powers as the Chairman would have exercised.\nWhich of the statements given above are correct?

Explanation

Statements 1 and 3 are correct because the reconstituted Rajya Sabha Panel of Vice-Chairpersons comprised six members: Dinesh Sharma, S. Phangnon Konyak and Ghanshyam Tiwari from the BJP, Phulo Devi Netam from the Congress, M. Thambidurai from the AIADMK and Sasmit Patra from the BJD. Members of this panel are called upon to preside over the House when both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman are absent. Once a panel member is in the Chair, the member exercises the same powers as the Chairperson for conducting proceedings, including maintaining order, regulating debate and ensuring smooth functioning during sittings. Statement 2 is therefore wrong because the panel does not step in merely on the Chairman's absence.

Why the other options are wrong

• (A) Option A is wrong because it accepts Statement 2, although a Vice-Chairperson from the panel presides only when both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman are absent.
• (C) Option C is wrong because it excludes Statement 1 despite the panel having six members drawn from the BJP, Congress, AIADMK and BJD, and it includes the false Statement 2.
• (D) Option D is wrong because it includes the false Statement 2 and leaves out Statement 3, even though a panel member in the Chair exercises the same powers as the Chairperson.

Concept

This tests parliamentary procedure in the Rajya Sabha, especially the order of presiding officers and the functional powers of the Chair. RAS often revisits such rules because small wording shifts, such as Chairman absent versus both Chairman and Deputy Chairman absent, change the answer.

Source

• The Economic Times
• https://cms.rajyasabha.nic.in/UploadedFiles/LegislativeSection/LegislativeRules/English_2052022english_3092021rules_pro.pdf

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