Art. 89 Part V: The Union

The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Council of States

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) The Vice-President of India shall be ex officio Chairman of the Council of States. (2) The Council of States shall, as soon as may be, choose a member of the Council to be Deputy Chairman thereof...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article confirms the Vice-President's ex-officio Chairmanship of the Rajya Sabha (echoing Article 64), and requires the House to separately elect its own Deputy Chairman from among its own members — providing a backup presiding officer chosen directly by the House itself.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why the Rajya Sabha has two distinct types of presiding officer roles — the Vice-President (an outside constitutional office-holder) as Chairman, and a Deputy Chairman who's actually an elected member of the House itself, chosen by their fellow members.

Read alongside this one

Art. 64 — The Vice-President to Be Ex-Officio Chairman of the Council of States

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 89

Who presides over the Rajya Sabha when the Vice-President is unavailable?

The elected Deputy Chairman steps in, per this Article and the further procedural Articles that follow (90-92).

← PreviousArticle 88: Rights of Ministers and Attorney-General as Respects the Houses Next →Article 90: Vacation and Resignation of, and Removal From, the Office of Deputy Chairman

The text above reproduces Article 89 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.