What is Rule 267 in Rajya Sabha?

Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States is a procedural provision in the Rajya Sabha that allows a member to seek suspension of the listed business for discussion on an urgent matter of national importance, subject to the Chairman’s approval. The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament, and its Chairman is the Vice-President of India.

Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha

Rule 267 is part of the procedural rules that govern business in the Rajya Sabha. It permits a member to move a notice for setting aside the day’s agenda so that the House can take up a matter of immediate public importance. The rule operates only when the Chairman admits the notice.

Procedure and Chair’s Discretion

Notices under Rule 267 are submitted by members of the Rajya Sabha and are examined by the Chair. The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha decides whether the matter qualifies for suspension of business. The rule does not create an automatic right to discussion, and the Chair may decline notices if the matter is not placed in the prescribed form or does not meet procedural requirements.

Recent Notices in 2026

On 22 July 2026 and 23 July 2026, Opposition members in the Rajya Sabha, including Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge, submitted multiple notices under Rule 267. The notices sought immediate discussion on the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak, the alleged systemic crisis in India’s examination system, and alleged police action against student protesters on 20 July 2026. CPI MP Sandosh Kumar P and Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain also moved notices on 23 July 2026.

Important Facts for Exams

• Rule 267 belongs to the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States.
• The Rajya Sabha Chairman is the Vice-President of India in an ex-officio capacity.
• Rule 267 is used to seek suspension of the day’s listed business for an urgent discussion.
• Rule 176 is another procedural format used for short-duration discussions in the Rajya Sabha.

Historical Use of Rule 267

The last accepted discussion under Rule 267 took place in November 2016 on demonetisation, during the chairmanship of Md. Hamid Ansari. Since then, no notice under this rule has been allowed by subsequent Chairmen. Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh described its invocation as occurring on the “rarest of rare” occasions.

Related Parliamentary Procedure

Rule 267 is distinct from ordinary debate formats because it seeks to interrupt scheduled business. Rule 176 provides for short-duration discussion without suspension of the entire day’s agenda. Both rules are part of the parliamentary procedure used in the Rajya Sabha for discussion on public issues.