The Election Commission has announced Rajya Sabha elections for 24 seats across 10 states on June 18 as several senior leaders
May 22, 2026: The Election Commission on Friday announced elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats across 10 states, with polling scheduled for June 18. The elections are being conducted due to the retirement of several sitting members whose terms end between June 21 and July 19. Prominent leaders retiring from the Upper House include former prime minister HD Deve Gowda, Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior Congress leader Digvijay Singh.
According to the Election Commission, elections will be held for four seats each in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Karnataka, three seats each in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan, two seats in Jharkhand and one seat each in Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram. The last date for filing nominations is June 8.
Among other retiring members are Union ministers Ravneet Singh from Rajasthan and George Kurian from Madhya Pradesh, along with Congress leader Shaktisinh Gohil. The EC also announced bypolls for one Rajya Sabha seat each in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. The Maharashtra seat fell vacant after Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar resigned following her election to the state assembly.