The Election Commission on Friday unveiled the complete schedule for the upcoming Rajya Sabha elections, with polling for 24 seats across 10 states set to take place on June 18. Vote counting and declaration of results will also be carried out on the same day.
The biennial elections are being conducted as several sitting Rajya Sabha members are set to retire between June 21 and July 19, paving the way for fresh contests in multiple states.
Full Schedule for Rajya Sabha Elections 2026
- Last Date for Filing Nominations: June 8, 2026
- Scrutiny of Nominations: June 9, 2026
- Last Date for Withdrawal: June 11, 2026
- Polling Date: June 18, 2026
- Polling Timings: 9 AM to 4 PM
- Counting of Votes: June 18, 2026
- Completion of Election Process: June 20, 2026
States Going to Polls
The Rajya Sabha elections will cover seats falling vacant in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Manipur, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram.
State-wise seat distribution includes:
- Andhra Pradesh – 4 seats
- Gujarat – 4 seats
- Karnataka – 4 seats
- Rajasthan – 3 seats
- Madhya Pradesh – 3 seats
- Jharkhand – 2 seats
- Mizoram – 1 seat
- Manipur – 1 seat
- Meghalaya – 1 seat
- Arunachal Pradesh – 1 seat
NDA Seen Holding Advantage
Political calculations ahead of the elections indicate that the NDA is likely to maintain a strong edge in the contests. Analysts believe the alliance currently has a favourable position in a majority of the seats going to polls.
As per current projections, the BJP-led alliance is expected to secure all four seats in Andhra Pradesh and Gujarat, besides gaining key seats in Karnataka, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
Regional allies including TDP, JD(S), NPP and MNF are also expected to retain influence in their respective states.
Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc, led primarily by Congress and JMM in these contests, is projected to remain competitive in select states.
Focus on Tamil Nadu Politics
The elections are also drawing attention due to expectations that Vijay’s TVK could open its Rajya Sabha account during the process, adding a fresh political dimension to Tamil Nadu politics.
Bypolls in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu
Alongside the Rajya Sabha polls, by-elections for two vacant seats in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu will also be conducted on June 18.
The simultaneous polling is expected to trigger heightened political activity in both states as parties begin finalising candidates and alliance strategies.
With nomination filing set to begin soon, political parties are likely to intensify internal discussions and negotiations over seat-sharing and candidate selection in the coming days.
