5.4. Chairman & Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha

The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He presides over the meetings of Rajya Sabha. In his absence the Deputy Chairman, who is elected by its members from amongst themselves, presides over the meeting of the House. The Deputy Chairman can be removed by a majority of all the then members (effective majority) of Rajya Sabha. But the Chairman (Vice-President) can only be removed from his office by a resolution passed by a majority of all the then members of Rajya Sabha and agreed to by the Lok Sabha. In both cases, the office holder needs to be given 14 days’ notice.

He presides over the Rajya Sabha as long as he does not officiate as the President of India during a vacancy in that office. In such an instance, the Deputy Chairman performs the duties of Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

The functions of the Chairman of Rajya Sabha are similar to those of the Speaker of Lok Sabha except that the Speaker has certain special powers according to the constitution (e.g. certifying a Bill as Money Bill, presiding over a joint sitting of the two Houses etc.)