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NDA Gains 154 Seats in Rajya Sabha, Needs 163 for Two-Thirds Majority to Pass Constitutional Amendments

PolityHIGH
Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link
14 Jun 2026
~2 min
Source: The Hindu
Key Data:154 MPs in Rajya Sabha163 seats for two-thirds majority in RS363 seats for two-thirds majority in LS64 MPs in INDIA bloc
Bodies:Parliament of IndiaOffice of the Speaker (Lok Sabha)
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What This Article Covers

1.The NDA is set to gain seats in Rajya Sabha via TMC defections, reaching 154, which is 9 short of the two-thirds majority of 163.

2.In the Lok Sabha, the NDA's numbers may rise to 213 with TMC support but remain far from the two-thirds threshold of 363 seats.

3.This political realignment directly impacts the legislative ability to pass Constitutional Amendment Bills, a key area for UPSC Polity questions.

The Big Picture
Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The NDA is inching towards a two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha, crucial for passing Constitutional Amendment Bills. Despite a rebellion in the TMC boosting its numbers, it is still short of the 163-seat mark in the Upper House and far from the required 363 in the Lok Sabha. This is a core Polity topic testing understanding of parliamentary majority rules.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

NDA's Current Rajya Sabha Strength154 MPs (after bypolls)
Two-Thirds Majority in Rajya Sabha163 seats
Two-Thirds Majority in Lok Sabha363 seats
INDIA Bloc's Strength in RS64 MPs

1-Minute Revision

  • ›NDA's Current Rajya Sabha Strength: 154 MPs (after bypolls)
  • ›Two-Thirds Majority in Rajya Sabha: 163 seats
  • ›Target this Data: NDA's Rajya Sabha strength of 154 seats, 9 short of the two-thirds majority of 163.
  • ›Target this Nodal Body: Office of the Speaker of Lok Sabha (Om Birla), who will recognize the new TMC group.
  • ›Target this Legal Point: Article 368 of the Constitution, which governs the amendment procedure requiring a two-thirds majority.

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Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

Q1Static LinkageEasy

The Speaker of the Lok Sabha, mentioned in the context of receiving a letter from defected MPs, is appointed by which constitutional process?

Q2Statement-basedHard

Consider the following statements regarding the political developments mentioned in the article:

1. The NDA requires a two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha to pass all Constitutional Amendment Bills.

2. The INDIA bloc's strength in the Rajya Sabha reduced after the exit of DMK and AAP.

3. The two-thirds majority mark in the Lok Sabha is 263 seats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMedium

According to the article, what is the current strength of the NDA in the Rajya Sabha after the expected bypolls from West Bengal?

Q4Application/ImpactMedium

What is the primary constitutional significance of the NDA achieving a two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha, as discussed in the article?

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