What is Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha?

The Opposition on July 22, 2026, submitted a notice under Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of the Indian Parliament, amid ongoing student protests over paper leaks.

About Rule 267

Rule 267 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council of States provides for the suspension of a specific rule in its application to a motion related to the business listed before the Council for that day.

Under Rule 267, a member may, with the consent of the Chairman, move a motion to suspend the application of any rule to a motion concerning the business listed for that day.

If the motion is carried, the concerned rule is suspended for the time being.

The rule also provides that it does not apply where a specific provision already exists for suspension of a rule under a particular chapter of the Rules.

In December 2025, Rajya Sabha Chairman C. P. Radhakrishnan had clarified that a discussion under Rule 267 can take place only in relation to items listed in the day’s agenda.

He stated that any notice concerning an issue outside the listed business would be invalid under Rule 267.

The Chairman observed that notices under Rule 267 were being submitted almost daily to seek suspension of listed business and to raise issues chosen by individual members.

He emphasised that this is not the purpose of Rule 267.

He further clarified that Rule 267 in the Rajya Sabha cannot be equated with an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha.

An Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha is associated with Article 75(3) of the Constitution, which provides that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of the People.

The Chairman also highlighted that the present form of Rule 267 emerged from amendments recommended by a Committee, which were adopted by the Rajya Sabha in 2000.

The Committee had observed that Rule 267 was being used to seek discussions on matters that were not listed or had not yet been admitted.

It therefore recommended that the application of Rule 267 should be strictly confined to subjects related to the business listed before the House.

Key Takeaway: Rule 267 is a procedural mechanism for suspending a rule in relation to a motion concerning the day’s listed business; according to the Chairman’s clarification, it is not a general provision for suspending House business to discuss any issue chosen by members.

Source: PIB

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