Q1. 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: the six-member panel includes Dinesh Sharma, S. Phangnon Konyak and Ghanshyam Tiwari (BJP), Phulo Devi Netam (Congress), M. Thambidurai (AIADMK) and Sasmit Patra (BJD); and a Vice-Chairperson in the Chair exercises the same powers as the Chairman. Statement 2 is incorrect: a Vice-Chairperson presides when both the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman are absent, not only when the Chairman is absent — and the Deputy Chairman is the next in line, not the Panel.