Rule 267: A Key Provision of the Rajya Sabha's Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business

Rule 267: A Key Provision of the Rajya Sabha's Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business

¨     Rule 267 is a provision under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha).

¨     It allows a Rajya Sabha member to seek suspension of the listed business to discuss a matter of urgent national/public importance.

¨     A discussion under Rule 267 can take place only if the Chairman admits the notice.

¨     Rule 267 is applicable only in the Rajya Sabha (Council of States).

Procedure under Rule 267

¨     A member submits a notice requesting suspension of the day's scheduled business.

¨     The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha examines the notice.

¨     The Chairman decides whether the issue qualifies as a matter of urgent public importance.

¨     The Chairman has complete discretion to admit or reject the notice.

¨     Rule 267 does not provide an automatic right to a discussion.

¨     Notices may be rejected if they do not follow the prescribed format or fail to meet procedural requirements.

Recent Developments (2026)

¨     On 22 and 23 July 2026, Opposition members submitted multiple Rule 267 notices in the Rajya Sabha.

¨     Leader of the Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge sought an immediate discussion on the alleged NEET-UG 2026 paper leak.

¨     The notices also raised concerns over the alleged systemic crisis in India's examination system.

¨     Another issue was the alleged police action against student protesters on 20 July 2026.

¨     CPI MP Sandosh Kumar P and Congress MP Syed Naseer Hussain also submitted Rule 267 notices.