Discuss the role of the Vice-President of India as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. (UPSC 2022)

The Vice-President of India is ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha under Articles 63, 64 and 89. In this role, he is central to the effective functioning of the Council of States, which represents the federal interests of the Union.

• Presiding authority: He conducts sittings, regulates debate, maintains order, and ensures observance of the Rules of Procedure.
• Procedural control: He decides admissibility of notices, motions and questions, and may expunge unparliamentary remarks.
• Neutral umpire: He does not vote in the first instance, but exercises a casting vote in case of a tie.
• House discipline: He refers Bills to committees, promotes informed debate, and protects the Rajya Sabha’s role as a chamber of revision.
• Constitutional accountability: He can be removed by a resolution of the Rajya Sabha, making him answerable to the House.

Thus, the Vice-President, as Chairman, is crucial for impartial conduct, deliberation and federal balance, though his powers are more procedural than political.