Part V - Parliament • Article

Article 91 Simplified: Power of the Deputy Chairman or other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, Chairman

If the Chairman (Vice-President) is busy acting as the President or if their post is empty, the Deputy Chairman takes over all their powers in the Rajya Sabha.

Official Text

(1) While the office of Chairman is vacant, or during any period when the Vice-President is acting as, or discharging the functions of, President, the duties of the office shall be performed by the Deputy Chairman, or, if the office of Deputy Chairman is also vacant, by such member of the Council of States as the President may appoint for the purpose. (2) During the absence of the Chairman from any sitting of the Council of States the Deputy Chairman, or, if he is also absent, such person as may be determined by the rules of procedure of the Council, or, if no such person is present, such other person as may be determined by the Council, shall act as Chairman.

Simple Meaning

If the Chairman (Vice-President) is busy acting as the President or if their post is empty, the Deputy Chairman takes over all their powers in the Rajya Sabha.

Explain Like Ten

If the head teacher (the Vice-President/Chairman) is busy or away, the deputy head teacher (Deputy Chairman) takes over running the class (Rajya Sabha). If both are away, whoever the President has appointed for this purpose steps in.

Student Mode

Article 91 provides a chain of substitution for the chairmanship of the Rajya Sabha: (1) If the office of Chairman is vacant OR the VP is acting as President — the Deputy Chairman performs the duties. (2) If the Deputy Chairman's office is also vacant — a member appointed by the President steps in. (3) During day-to-day absence of the Chairman — the Deputy Chairman or another member determined by the House's rules presides.

Example

If an office-holder's power or duty is questioned, Article 91 clarifies how power of the deputy chairman or other person to perform the duties of the office of, or to act as, chairman fits into Parliament's working rules.

Key Takeaway

The Deputy Chairman is the backup leader for the Rajya Sabha.

FAQs

When does the Deputy Chairman automatically become the Acting Chairman?

When the VP is discharging the functions of the President (under Article 65), the VP vacates the chairman's role and the Deputy Chairman automatically presides over Rajya Sabha.

What is the parallel provision for the Lok Sabha?

Article 95 is the equivalent provision for the Lok Sabha — it provides for the Deputy Speaker to act as Speaker in case of vacancy or absence.

Quiz

When the Vice-President is acting as President, who presides over the Rajya Sabha?

Answer: The Deputy Chairman

If both the Chairman and Deputy Chairman are absent, who presides over the Rajya Sabha?

Answer: A member determined by the rules of procedure or by the Council