Uttarakhand's single Rajya Sabha seat goes to the polls, with 10 in Uttar Pradesh
2 October 2026
The Election Commission announced a schedule under which 12 Rajya Sabha seats go to the polls on 16 October 2026.
The 12 comprise biennial elections to 10 seats in Uttar Pradesh and one seat in Uttarakhand, and a by-election to one seat in West Bengal.
The notification was issued on 29 September, the last date for filing nominations is 6 October, scrutiny of nominations is on 7 October and withdrawal closes on 9 October.
The Uttarakhand seat falls vacant with the retirement of BJP member Naresh Bansal.
In Uttar Pradesh, eight BJP members, one Samajwadi Party member and one Bahujan Samaj Party member are retiring.
The West Bengal vacancy was created by the resignation of a Trinamool Congress member in July 2026.
In plain words
Biennial election Election held every two years — One third of the Rajya Sabha retires every two years, so seats fall vacant in staggered batches rather than all at once.