Question map
Which of the following statements is correct?
Explanation
The Vice-President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman or Presiding Officer of the Rajya Sabha [4]. This constitutional arrangement means that the individual holding the office of Vice-President automatically assumes the role of the Chairman of the Council of States [4]. While the members of the Rajya Sabha have a tenure of six years, the Vice-President is elected by an electoral college consisting of members of both Houses of Parliament for a term of five years [3]. Consequently, the Presiding Officer's tenure is five years, matching their term as Vice-President, rather than the six-year term of the House members. The Vice-President only ceases to perform these duties when acting as the President of India or if removed from the office of Vice-President [1].
Sources
- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > Chairman of Ra;ya Sabha > p. 233
- [2] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 23: Parliament > Chairman of Ra;ya Sabha > p. 233
- [4] https://cms.rajyasabha.nic.in/careers_documents/1611147317407.09_Ex-officio-position.pdf
- [3] Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: EXECUTIVE > The Vice President of India > p. 88