Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. (Answer in 150 words)

Article 64 makes the Vice-President the ex officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The office combines constitutional neutrality with responsibility for orderly legislative deliberation.

Core responsibilities

• Presides over sittings, interprets and enforces procedural rules, and maintains order and decorum.
• Decides who may speak, puts questions to vote and announces the result without voting ordinarily.
• Exercises a casting vote in case of equality, preserving the chamber’s decision-making capacity.
• Rules on admissibility of notices, motions and points of order under the Rules of Procedure.
• Protects parliamentary privileges and facilitates discussion between Treasury and Opposition benches.

Constitutional significance

As a non-member of the House and holder of a separately elected constitutional office, the Chairman can act as an impartial umpire. The office also enables continuity and coordination in a permanent chamber representing the States.

Conclusion

Effective chairmanship requires fairness, restraint and timely decisions so that procedure protects both legislative efficiency and minority voice.

Article 64; ex officio Chairman; casting vote; parliamentary privilege; procedural neutrality.