Why in NEWS?
The President of India nominated 4 experts to the Rajya Sabha under the 12-member quota for distinguished individuals in literature, science, art, or social service.
Key Concepts/Terms
| Term/Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Rajya Sabha | The Upper House of Parliament; represents states and union territories. |
| Article 80 | Constitutional provision related to composition and nomination in Rajya Sabha. |
| Nominated Members | 12 individuals nominated by the President for expertise in literature, science, art, or social service. |
| Single Transferable Vote (STV) | Voting method used for proportional representation in RS elections. |
| Open Ballot System | MLAs must show their vote to party agents to prevent cross-voting. |
| Article 249 | RS can allow Parliament to make laws on State List matters. |
| Article 312 | RS can recommend creation of All India Services. |
| Cross Voting | When an MLA votes against party line in RS elections. |
Nominated Personalities to Rajya Sabha – 2024
| Name | Background | Key Contributions |
|---|---|---|
| Harsh Vardhan Shringla | Former Foreign Secretary; 1984-batch IFS officer | Ambassador to US, Thailand, High Commissioner to Bangladesh; Key planner of Howdy Modi (2019); Chief Coordinator – G20 Presidency (2023) |
| Ujjwal Nikam | Special Public Prosecutor | Prosecuted 26/11 Mumbai attacks, 1993 blasts, Khairlanji massacre; Strong stance on terrorism & justice |
| Meenakshi Jain | Historian, former DU Professor | Authored NCERT Medieval History book; Padma Shri (2020); Member of ICHR, ICSSR; Focus on Indian civilisation & alternative historiography |
| C. Sadanandan Master | Teacher, columnist, political leader | Survived 1994 political attack in Kerala; Known for resilience and public service |
About Rajya Sabha
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Basis | Article 80 of Indian Constitution |
| First Constituted | 1952 |
| Nature | Permanent House; not subject to dissolution |
| Retirement Pattern | 1/3rd members retire every 2 years |
| Term of Members | 6 years (as per Representation of the People Act, 1951) |
| Total Strength | 250 (238 elected + 12 nominated) |
| Nominated Members | Appointed by President under Article 80(1)(a) |
| Criteria for Nomination | Eminent in literature, science, art, social service (sports covered under “art”) |
Procedure of Election to Rajya Sabha
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Type of Election | Indirect |
| Electoral College | Only elected MLAs of State Legislative Assemblies |
| Voting System | Proportional Representation by Single Transferable Vote (STV) |
| Quota Formula | Quota = (Total valid votes ÷ (Seats to be filled + 1)) + 1 |
| Preferential Voting | MLAs mark 1st, 2nd, 3rd preferences, etc. |
| Surplus Vote Transfer | Excess votes transferred to next preference candidates |
| Elimination & Transfer | Lowest vote-getter eliminated; votes transferred as per preferences |
| Seat Allocation Basis | Population-based (e.g., UP – 31 seats, Goa – 1 seat) |
Cross-Voting & Legal Safeguards
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Cross-Voting Definition | When MLAs vote outside party line |
| 2003 Amendment | Open ballot introduced for transparency |
| Voting Discipline | Party MLAs must show marked ballot to party’s agent |
| Independent MLAs | Prohibited from revealing their vote |
| Purpose | Prevent defection and maintain party discipline |
Special Powers of Rajya Sabha
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 249 | Rajya Sabha can empower Parliament to legislate on State List subjects in national interest |
| Article 312 | RS can approve creation of new All India Services |
In a Nutshell
Memory Code: “Rajya Sabha’s 4 Stars: Diplomacy, Justice, History, and Resilience”
Mnemonic: D-J-H-R (Diplomat, Jurist, Historian, Resilient Leader)
Prelims Practice Questions
- Which Article allows the nomination of members to the Rajya Sabha by the President?
a) Article 74
b) Article 80
c) Article 81
d) Article 312 - Who among the following was NOT nominated to Rajya Sabha in 2024?
a) Harsh Vardhan Shringla
b) Meenakshi Jain
c) Ujjwal Nikam
d) Raghuram Rajan - Under which Article can the Rajya Sabha recommend the creation of All India Services?
a) Article 312
b) Article 249
c) Article 263
d) Article 75
Mains Practice Questions
- Discuss the significance of the nomination of eminent persons to the Rajya Sabha in enriching parliamentary debates. (10m)
- Evaluate the special powers vested with the Rajya Sabha and their importance in India’s federal setup. (15m)
Prelims Answers & Explanations
| Ques | Answer | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | b) Article 80 | Article 80 provides for composition of Rajya Sabha including nominated members. |
| 2 | d) Raghuram Rajan | He was not among the 2024 nominated members. |
| 3 | a) Article 312 | RS can recommend creation of All India Services under Article 312. |
