Rajya Sabha
- The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of India’s bicameral Parliament.
- Rajya Sabha has been envisaged as the House representing the interests of the various States and Union Territories of the Union of India.
- The Constitution of India has fixed the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha at 250 members
- 238 members representing the States and Union Territories,
- The President of India nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha from people who have special knowledge or practical experience in the field of art, literature, science, and social service.
- The representatives of States in the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies.
- The election in the Rajya Sabha is held following the System of Proportional Representation employing the Single Transferable Vote.
- The Fourth Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the States and Union Territories (UTs).
- The Rajya Sabha is a continuing chamber, which means that it is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution.
- one-third of the members retire every second year
- Each member is elected for a term of six years.
- The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.