The Constitution of India
Article 89
The Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Council of States
(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 and, so often as the office of Deputy Chairman becomes vacant, the Council shall choose another member to be Deputy Chairman thereof.
Why this exists
The framers wanted the Rajya Sabha, like the Lok Sabha, to have a presiding officer, but they chose a different model for it: instead of electing an outsider or a member as full-time Chairman, they attached the role to the Vice-President's office, mirroring similar arrangements in other parliamentary systems where the head of the upper house is tied to another constitutional post. The Deputy Chairman, by contrast, is chosen from among sitting members to ensure someone with direct knowledge of the House's business can preside when needed and represent the House's own choice of leadership.
Common misconceptions
- Myth: The Rajya Sabha elects its own Chairman just like the Lok Sabha elects its Speaker.
Fact: The Rajya Sabha does not elect its Chairman. The Vice-President of India automatically becomes Chairman by virtue of that office, under Article 89(1). - Myth: The Deputy Chairman is nominated by the President or the Vice-President.
Fact: The Deputy Chairman is elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha from among themselves, as required by Article 89(2).