The Election Commission of India (ECI) has announced that biennial elections for 24 Rajya Sabha seats will be held on June 18 across 10 states. This election is necessary to fill vacancies caused by the retirement of members whose terms will end in June and July 2026. The election schedule indicates that notifications will be issued on June 1, with candidates required to file nominations by June 8. Scrutiny of these nominations will occur on June 9, and candidates can withdraw their nominations until June 11. Voting will take place from 9 am to 4 pm on June 18, with counting of votes scheduled for 5 pm the same day. The entire election process is expected to conclude by June 20. The ECI has specified that only integrated violet-coloured sketch pens supplied by the Returning Officer will be allowed for marking preferences on ballot papers. Observers will be deployed to ensure the electoral process remains free and fair. The retiring members include prominent leaders such as H. D. Deve Gowda, Mallikarjun Kharge, Digvijaya Singh, and Shibu Soren.