Raghav Chadha appointed Chairman of Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions

Key Facts

• Raghav Chadha was appointed Chairman of the Rajya Sabha Committee on Petitions effective from 20 May 2026.

• The Committee was reconstituted by Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan, with the official notification released on 23 May 2026.

• The Committee on Petitions has 10 members nominated by the Chairman; members include Harsh Mahajan, Gulam Ali, Shambhu Sharan Patel, Mayankkumar Nayak, Masthan Rao Yadav Beedha, Jebi Mather Hisham, Subhasish Khuntia, Rwngwra Narzary, and P. Sandosh Kumar.

• Raghav Chadha legally switched party affiliation from Aam Aadmi Party to Bharatiya Janata Party in April 2026 before this appointment.

• Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan held the position in 2026 and is responsible for nominating members and appointing chairpersons of Rajya Sabha committees.

Background & Context

The Committee on Petitions is a standing parliamentary committee of the Rajya Sabha established to examine petitions submitted to the Upper House. It considers petitions related to matters of public importance, citizens' grievances, and legislative concerns with the aim of strengthening democratic accountability. Membership comprises 10 members nominated by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who also appoints the Chairperson from among them.

Raghav Chadha had been a prominent leader of the Aam Aadmi Party and served as its Rajya Sabha leader before joining the BJP in April 2026. His appointment to chair this important committee reflects his growing political profile.

Why This Matters for Exams

The role and structure of Rajya Sabha Committees are core topics in Indian polity and governance studies for competitive examinations. This case illustrates parliamentary procedures such as committee reconstitution, nomination powers of the Rajya Sabha Chairman, and the function of the Committee on Petitions in grievance redressal and legislative scrutiny. Knowledge of key political figures like Raghav Chadha and procedural dates (e.g., appointment effective from 20 May 2026) can be critical for exam answers.

Points to Remember

• The Committee on Petitions is a Rajya Sabha standing committee that examines petitions from the public on various matters of legislative and public concern.

• The committee consists of 10 members nominated by the Rajya Sabha Chairman, with a quorum of five members needed for meetings.

• Raghav Chadha, after joining BJP in April 2026, was appointed Chairman effective 20 May 2026.

• Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan reconstituted the committee and nominated members in May 2026.

• The committee plays a pivotal role in enabling citizens to participate in parliamentary democracy through petitions and ensures parliamentary scrutiny of public grievances.