How many Rajya Sabha seats go to polls on March 16, 2026?

Explanation

The PIB release, issued for the Election Commission, says the term of office of 37 members of the Council of States elected from 10 states is due to expire in April 2026. For those 37 seats, the Commission announced a biennial election programme in which the date of poll is 16 March 2026, with polling from 09:00 am to 04:00 pm and counting at 05:00 pm on the same day. Therefore, the number linked to the 16 March 2026 poll is 37, not a separate figure drawn from nominations, counting or completion dates.

Why the other options are wrong

• (B) The PIB schedule ties the 16 March 2026 poll to 37 Council of States seats, so 25 understates the notified election size.
• (C) The release says 37 members from 10 states are retiring and those 37 seats will be filled, not 42.
• (D) The Election Commission programme in the PIB release is for 37 seats, so 32 misses five of the notified seats.

Concept

This tests the official election schedule for Rajya Sabha, formally the Council of States, under Indian Constitution and Governance. It recurs in RAS because the question turns on reading an Election Commission notification precisely, especially the body, date and number of seats.

Source

• Press Information Bureau, Government of India

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