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For the lower house, see Lok Sabha. For current list of Rajya Sabha members, see List of current members of the Rajya Sabha.

The Rajya Sabha, constitutionally the Council of States, is the upper

Rajya Sabha
house of the bicameral Parliament of India. As of 2023, it has a maximum
membership of 250, of which 238 are elected by the legislatures of the
states and union territories using single transferable votes through open
ballots, while the president can appoint 12 members for their contributions
to art, literature, science, and social service.[1] The total allowed capacity is
250 (238 elected, 12 appointed) according to article 80 of the Indian
Constitution.[2] The current potential seating capacity of the Rajya Sabha is Type
245 (233 elected, 12 appointed), after the Jammu and Kashmir Type Upper house of the Parliament of India
(Reorganisation) Act, 2019, the seats came down to 245. The maximum
Term limits 6 years
seats of 250 members can be filled up at the discretion and requirements of
Leadership
the house of Rajya Sabha.
Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar
(Vice President of since 11 August 2022
Members sit for staggered terms lasting six years, with about a third of the India)
238 designates up for election every two years, in even-numbered years.[3]
Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, JD(U)
Unlike the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha is a continuing chamber and hence since 9 August 2018
not subject to dissolution. However, the Rajya Sabha, like the Lok Sabha, Secretary General Pramod Chandra Mody
can be prorogued by the president. since 12 November 2021
Leader of the House Piyush Goyal
The Rajya Sabha has equal footing in legislation with the Lok Sabha, (Cabinet Minister), BJP
except in the area of supply, where the latter has overriding powers. In the since 14 July 2021

case of conflicting legislation, a joint sitting of the two houses can be held, Deputy Leader of Dharmendra Pradhan
the House (Cabinet Minister), BJP
where the Lok Sabha would hold a greater influence because of its larger
since 17 December 2022
membership. The vice president of India (currently, Jagdeep Dhankhar) is
Leader of the Mallikarjun Kharge, INC
the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who presides over its sessions. Opposition since 16 February 2021
The deputy chairman, who is elected from amongst the house's members, Deputy leader of the Pramod Tiwari, INC
takes care of the day-to-day matters of the house in the absence of the Opposition since 13 March 2023
chairman. The Rajya Sabha held its first sitting on 13 May 1952.[4] Structure

Seats 245 (233 Elected + 12 Nominated)

The Rajya Sabha meets in the eponymous chamber in Parliament House in
New Delhi. Since 18 July 2018, the Rajya Sabha has the facility for
simultaneous interpretation in all the 22 scheduled languages of India.[5]
The Rajya Sabha proceedings are televised live on channel Sansad TV,
headquartered within the premises of Parliament.[6]

Qualifications ​[ edit ]

Article 84 of the Constitution lays down the qualifications for membership of Political groups Government (120)
[7][8]
Parliament. A member of the Rajya Sabha must: NDA (120)
BJP (97)
Be a citizen of India.
JD(U) (4)
Make and subscribe before some person authorized in that behalf by
AGP (1)
the Election Commission an oath or affirmation according to the form
JD(S) (1)
set out for the purpose in the Third Schedule to the Constitution. NCP (1)
Be at least 30 years old. (article 84 constitution of India) NPP (1)
Be elected by the Legislative Assembly of States and Union territories PMK (1)
by means of single transferable vote through proportional RLD (1)
representation.[9] RPI(A) (1)

Not be a proclaimed criminal. SHS (1)

UPPL (1)
Not be a subject of insolvency, i.e. they should not be in debt that they
TMC(M) (1)
are not capable of repaying in a current manner and should have the
IND (2)
ability to meet their financial expenses.
NOM (7)
Not hold any other office of profit under the Government of India.
Official Opposition (92)
Not be of unsound mind.
INDIA (92)
Possess such other qualifications as may be prescribed in that behalf
INC (29)
by or under any law made by Parliament.
AITC (13)
In addition, twelve members are nominated by the president of India having AAP (10)
special knowledge in various areas like arts and science. However, they are DMK (10)
not entitled to vote in presidential elections as per Article 55 of the RJD (6)
Constitution. CPI(M) (5)
SP (4)
JMM (3)
Limitations ​[ edit ]
CPI (2)

The Constitution of India places some restrictions on the Rajya Sabha, and IUML (2)
NCP(SP) (2)
the Lok Sabha (the lower house, House of the People) is more powerful in
SS(UBT) (2)
certain areas.
AGM (1)
KC(M) (1)
Money bills ​[ edit ]
MDMK (1)
The definition of a money bill is given in Article 110 of the Constitution of IND (1)
India. A money bill can be introduced only in the Lok Sabha by a minister Other opposition (29)
and only on the recommendation of the president of India. When the Lok
YSRCP (11)
Sabha passes a money bill then the Lok Sabha sends the money bill to the BJD (9)
Rajya Sabha for 14 days during which it can make recommendations. Even BRS (4)
if the Rajya Sabha fails to return the money bill in 14 days to the Lok AIADMK (3)
Sabha, that bill is deemed to have passed by both houses. Also, if the Lok BSP (1)
Sabha rejects any (or all) of the amendments proposed by the Rajya MNF (1)
Sabha, the bill is deemed to have been passed by both houses of Vacant (4)
Parliament in the form the Lok Sabha finally passes it. Hence, the Rajya
Vacant (4)
Sabha can only give recommendations for a money bill, but the Rajya
Sabha cannot amend a money bill. This is to ensure that the Rajya Sabha Elections
must not add any non-money matters to the money bill. There is no joint Voting system 238 members by single transferable vote
sitting of both the houses for money bills, because all final decisions are by state legislatures,
taken by the Lok Sabha.[10][11] 12 appointed by the President
Last election February 2024

Joint Sitting of the Parliament ​[ edit ] Next election 2025

Meeting place
Article 108 provides for a joint sitting of the two houses of Parliament in
certain cases. A joint sitting can be convened by the president of India when
one house has either rejected a bill passed by the other house, has not
taken any action on a bill transmitted to it by the other house for six months,
or has disagreed with the amendments proposed by the Lok Sabha on a bill
passed by it. Considering that the numerical strength of the Lok Sabha is
more than twice that of the Rajya Sabha, the Lok Sabha tends to have a
greater influence in a joint sitting of Parliament. A joint session is chaired by
the speaker of the Lok Sabha. Also, because the joint session is convened
by the president on the advice of the government, which already has a
majority in the Lok Sabha, the joint session is usually convened to get bills
passed through a Rajya Sabha in which the government has a minority.[12]
Rajya Sabha Chamber, Sansad Bhavan,
Joint sessions of Parliament are a rarity, and have been convened three 118, Rafi Marg New Delhi, India - 110 001

times in the last 71 years, for passage of a specific legislative act, the latest Website
time being in 2002: sansad.in/rs

1961: Dowry Prohibition Act, 1958 Constitution

1978: Banking Services Commission (Repeal) Act, 1977 Constitution of India

2002: Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002 Rules

The Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the Council

No-confidence motion ​[ edit ]
of States (Rajya Sabha) (English)
Unlike the Lok Sabha, members of the Rajya Sabha cannot bring to the
house a no-confidence motion against the government.[citation needed]

Powers ​[ edit ]

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In the Indian quasi-federal structure, the Rajya Sabha is representative of the States and Union territories in the union legislature (hence
the name, Council of States). For this reason, the Rajya Sabha has powers that protect the rights of States against the Union
government.

Union-State relations ​[ edit ]

The Constitution empowers the Parliament of India to make laws on the matters reserved for States. However, this can only be done if
the Rajya Sabha first passes a resolution by a two-third majority granting such a power to the Union Parliament. The Union government
cannot make a law on a matter reserved for States without any authorisation from the Rajya Sabha.

The Union government reserves the power to make laws directly affecting the citizens across all the States whereas, a single state in
itself reserves the power to make rules and governing laws of their region. The Rajya Sabha plays a vital role in protecting the States'
culture and interests.

Creation of All-India services ​[ edit ]

The Rajya Sabha, by a two-thirds supermajority, can pass a resolution empowering the Indian government to create more all-India
services common to both the union and the states.

Membership by party ​[ edit ]

Members of the Rajya Sabha by their political party (as of 19 April 2024):

Alliance Party MPs Floor leader

BJP 97 Piyush Goyal

JD(U) 4 Ram Nath Thakur

NCP 1 Praful Patel

JD(S) 1 H. D. Deve Gowda

SHS 1 Milind Deora

RLD 1 Jayant Chaudhary

PMK 1 Anbumani R.
NDA
AGP 1 B.P Baishya
Seats: 120
TMC(M) 1 G. K. Vasan

NPP 1 W. Kharlukhi

RPI(A) 1 Ramdas Athawale

UPPL 1 Rwngwra Narzary

Kartikeya Sharma
IND 2
R. Dharmar

NOM 7 None

INC 29 M. Kharge

AITC 13 Derek O'Brien

AAP 10 Sanjay Singh

DMK 10 Tiruchi Siva

RJD 6 P.C. Gupta

CPI(M) 5 Elamaram Kareem

SP 4 Ram Gopal Yadav

I.N.D.I.A JMM 3 Shibu Soren

Seats: 92 NCP(SP) 2 Sharad Pawar

SS(UBT) 2 Sanjay Raut

CPI 2 Binoy Viswam

IUML 2 P.V. Abdul Wahab

MDMK 1 Vaiko

AGM 1 Ajit Kumar Bhuyan

KC(M) 1 Jose K. Mani

IND 1 Kapil Sibal

YSRCP 11 V.Vijayasai Reddy

BJD 9 Sasmit Patra

Unalligned BRS 4 K.Keshava Rao

Seats: 29 AIADMK 3 M.Thambidurai

BSP 1 Ramji Gautam

MNF 1 K. Vanlalvena

Vacant 4 Jammu and Kashmir (4)

Total 245 —

Composition ​[ edit ]

Main article: List of current members of the Rajya Sabha

Seats are allotted in proportion to the population of each state or union territory. Certain states may even have more representatives than
states more populous than them, because in past they too had high population. For example, Tamil Nadu has 18 representatives for 72
million inhabitants (in 2011) whereas Bihar (104 million) and West Bengal (91 million) only have 16. As the members are elected by the
state legislature, some small union territories, those without legislatures, cannot have representation. Hence, Andaman and Nicobar
Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, Ladakh and Lakshadweep do not send any representatives. Twelve
members are nominated by the president.[13][14]

As per the Fourth Schedule to the Constitution of India on 26 January 1950, the Rajya Sabha was to consist of 216 members, of which
12 members were to be nominated by the president and the remaining 204 elected to represent the states.[14] The present sanctioned
strength of the Rajya Sabha in the Constitution of India is 250, which can be increased by constitutional amendment. However, the
present strength is 245 members according to the Representation of People Act, 1951, which can be increased up to 250 by amending
the act itself, of whom 233 are representatives of the states and union territories and 12 are nominated by the president.[14] The 12
nominated members of the Rajya Sabha are persons who are eminent in particular fields and are well-known contributors in the
particular field.

Number of members by state/union territory ​[ edit ]

Largest
State/ UT NDA I.N.D.I.A. Others Vacancy Election Cycle
Party

26 (4)
Andhra YSRCP 11
11 YSRCP 11
Pradesh[15] 28 (4)

Arunachal
1 BJP 1 BJP 1 26 (1)
Pradesh

BJP 4
25 (2)
Assam 7 BJP 4 AGP 1 AGM 1
26 (3) 28 (2)
UPPL 1

BJP 4 24 (4)
Bihar 16 RJD 6 INC 1
JD(U) 5 26 (4) 28 (4)

24 (1)
Chhattisgarh 5 INC 4 BJP 1 INC 4
26 (2) 28 (2)

Delhi 3 AAP 3 AAP 3 30 (3)

Goa 1 BJP 1 BJP 1 29 (1)

24 (4)
Gujarat 11 BJP 8 BJP 8 INC 3
26 (4) 29 (3)

24 (1)
Haryana 5 BJP 3 IND 1 INC 1
26 (2) 28 (2)

Himachal 24 (1)
3 BJP 3 BJP 3
Pradesh 26 (1) 28 (1)

Jammu and
4 4
Kashmir
24 (2)
Jharkhand 6 BJP 3 BJP 3 JMM 2
26 (2) 28 (2)

BJP 6 24 (4)
Karnataka 12 BJP 6 INC 5
JD(S) 1 26 (4) 28 (4)

INC 1

CPI(M) 4
24 (3)
Kerala 9 CPIM 4 IUML 1
27 (3) 28 (3)
CPI 2

KC(M) 1

24 (5)
Madhya Pradesh 11 BJP 8 BJP 8 INC 3
26 (3) 28 (3)

BJP 8 INC 3
24 (6)
Maharashtra 19 BJP 8 RPI(A) 1 NCP(SP) 3
26 (7) 28 (6)
NCP 1 SS(UBT) 3

Manipur 1 BJP 1 BJP 1 26 (1)

Meghalaya 1 NPEP 1 NPP 1 26 (1)

Mizoram 1 MNF 1 MNF 1 26 (1)

Nagaland 1 BJP 1 BJP 1 28 (1)

24 (3)
Odisha 10 BJD 9 BJP 1 BJD 9
26 (4) 28 (3)

Puducherry 1 BJP 1 BJP 1 27 (1)

Punjab 7 AAP 7 AAP 7 28 (7)

24 (3)
Rajasthan 10 INC 6 BJP 4 INC 6
26 (3) 28 (4)

Sikkim 1 BJP 1 BJP 1 30 (1)

IND 1 DMK 10 AIADMK 3
25 (6)
Tamil Nadu 18 DMK 10 MDMK 1 TMC(M) 1
PMK 1 26 (6) 28 (6)
INC 1

24 (3)
Telangana 7 BRS 7 BRS 7
26 (2) 28 (2)

Tripura 1 BJP 1 BJP 1 28 (1)

SP 3
24 (10)
Uttar Pradesh 31 BJP 25 BJP 25 RLD 1 BSP 1
26 (10) 28 (11)
IND 1

24 (1)
Uttarakhand 3 BJP 3 BJP 3
26 (1) 28 (1)

INC 0
24 (5)
West Bengal 16 TMC 13 BJP 2 AITC 13
26 (5) 29 (6)
CPI(M) 1
24(4)
Presidential
10 BJP 5 NOM 5 2
nominees 26(1) 28(5)

Others 24 (69)
116 92 Vac.
Total 245 BJP 95 33 25 (08) 26 (73) 27 (04) 28
(75) 29 (10)
116 92 33 6

Officers ​[ edit ]

Leader of the House ​[ edit ]

Main article: Leader of the House in Rajya Sabha

Besides the chairman (vice-president of India) and the deputy chairman, there is also a position called leader of the House. This is a
cabinet minister – the prime minister if they are a member of the House or another nominated minister. The leader has a seat next to the
chairman, in the front row.

Leader of the Opposition ​[ edit ]

Main article: Leader of the Opposition in Rajya Sabha

Besides the leader of the House, who is the government's chief representative in the House, there is also a leader of the opposition
(LOP) – leading the opposition parties. The function was only recognized in the Salary and Allowances of Leaders of the Opposition in
Parliament Act, 1977. This is commonly the leader of the largest non-government party and is recognized as such by the chairman.

Secretariat ​[ edit ]

The Secretariat of the Rajya Sabha was set up under the provisions contained in Article 98 of the Constitution. The said Article, which
provides for a separate secretarial staff for each house of Parliament, reads as follows:- 98. Secretariat of Parliament – Each House of
Parliament shall have a separate secretarial staff: Provided that nothing in this clause shall be construed as preventing the creation of
posts common to both Houses of Parliament. (2) Parliament may by law regulate the recruitment and the conditions of service of
persons appointed to the secretarial staff of either House of Parliament.[16]

The Rajya Sabha Secretariat functions under the overall guidance and control of the chairman. The main activities of the Secretariat
inter alia include the following:

(i) providing secretarial assistance and support to the effective functioning of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha); (ii) providing amenities
as admissible to Members of Rajya Sabha; (iii) servicing the various Parliamentary Committees; (iv) preparing research and reference
material and bringing out various publications; (v) recruitment of manpower in the Sabha Secretariat and attending to personnel matters;
and (vi) preparing and publishing a record of the day-to-day proceedings of the Rajya Sabha and bringing out such other publications, as
may be required concerning the functioning of the Rajya Sabha and its Committees.[16]

In the discharge of their constitutional and statutory responsibilities, the chairman of the Rajya Sabha is assisted by the secretary-
general, who holds the rank equivalent to the cabinet secretary to the government of India. The secretary-general, in turn, is assisted by
senior functionaries at the level of secretary, additional secretary, joint secretary and other officers and staff of the secretariat. The
present secretary-general is Pramod Chandra Mody.[17][18] In the winter 2019 session, uniforms of Rajya Sabha marshals were restyled
from traditional Indian attire comprising turbans to dark navy blue and olive green military-style outfits with caps.[19][20]

Media ​[ edit ]

Main article: Sansad TV

Sansad TV (STV) is a 24-hour parliamentary television channel owned and operated jointly by both houses of Indian Parliament. The
channel aims to provide in-depth coverage and analysis of parliamentary affairs, especially its functioning and policy development.
During sessions, Sansad TV provides live coverage and presents an analysis of the proceedings of the house as well as other day-to-
day parliamentary events and developments.

Earlier both houses of parliament had their own channels named Rajya Sabha TV and Lok Sabha TV Respectively.[21]

See also ​[ edit ]

Lok Sabha
List of current members of the Rajya Sabha
State legislative councils of India
Secretary General of the Rajya Sabha

References ​[ edit ]

1. ^ Centre, National Informatics. "Digital Sansad" . Digital Sansad. 12. ^ "SUMMONING AND PROROGATION OF BOTH HOUSES OF
Retrieved 9 January 2024. PARLIAMENT AND DISSOLUTION OF LOK SABHA" (PDF).
2. ^ "Rajya Sabha Introduction" . rajyasabha.gov.in. Archived from Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs. Retrieved 27 November 2023.
the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 3 August 2020. 13. ^ "Frequently asked questions about Rajya Sabha" . Indian
3. ^ Deshmukh, Yashwant (11 June 2016). "Crucial polls today: A Parliament. Archived from the original on 11 December 2016.
guide to calculus of Rajya Sabha for dummies" . Firstpost. Retrieved 8 December 2012.
Archived from the original on 19 June 2016. Retrieved 20 June 14. ^ a b c "Composition of Rajya Sabha – Rajya Sabha At Work"
2016. (PDF). rajyasabha.nic.in. Rajya Sabha Secretariat, New Delhi.
4. ^ "OUR PARLIAMENT" . Indian Parliament. Archived from the Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 March 2016. Retrieved
original on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 11 May 2011. 20 October 2015.
5. ^ "Rajya Sabha MPs can now speak in 22 Indian languages in 15. ^ "Rajya Sabha members allotted to Telangana, Andhra
House" . The Times of India. 18 July 2018. Archived from the Pradesh" . The Economic Times. 30 May 2014. Archived from
original on 8 October 2018. Retrieved 18 July 2018. the original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2015.
6. ^ "SansadTV Live" . SansadTV. Archived from the original on 16. ^ a b "Secretariat Introduction" (PDF). Digital Sansad.
24 June 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved
7. ^ "Council of States (Rajya Sabha) – rajyasabha.in" . Archived 3 October 2023.
from the original on 18 June 2012. 17. ^ "Secretary-General, Rajya Sabha" . Archived from the original
8. ^ Sinha, Yashita (26 March 2023). "What is the eligibility criteria for on 11 August 2018. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
an MP?- Know about their responsibilities and disqualification 18. ^ "Ex-CBDT chief P.C. Mody made Rajya Sabha Secretary
grounds" . Jagran Josh. Jagran Prakashan. Archived from the General" . The Hindu. 12 November 2021. ISSN 0971-751X .
original on 27 November 2023. Retrieved 27 November 2023. Archived from the original on 6 March 2022. Retrieved 7 March
9. ^ "Handbook for Returning Officers – for Elections to the Council of 2022.
States and State Legislative Councils" (PDF). Election 19. ^ Harwant Singh (retd), Lt Gen. "Curb rampant copying of military
Commission of India. 1992. pp. 400–426. Archived (PDF) from uniform" . The Tribune. Archived from the original on 26
the original on 10 January 2017. Retrieved 2 August 2017. December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
10. ^ "Website of the Rajya Sabha – Legislation" . Archived from 20. ^ Service, Tribune News. "Naidu orders review of new military-style
the original on 19 October 2017. Retrieved 2 November 2017. uniform of marshals" . The Tribune. Archived from the original
11. ^ Khan, Khadija (4 August 2023). "Money Bills vs Finance Bills: on 26 December 2019. Retrieved 26 December 2019.
What are the differences, what the court has ruled" . The Indian 21. ^ "About Rajya Sabha TV" . Rajya Sabha. Archived from the
Express. Archived from the original on 27 November 2023. original on 9 February 2014. Retrieved 19 May 2014.
Retrieved 27 November 2023.

Further reading ​[ edit ]

The Nominated Members of India's Council of States: A Study of Role-Definition J. H. Proctor, Legislative Studies Quarterly, Vol.
10, No. 1, Feb 1985, pp. 53–70.
Alistair, McMillan. "Constitution 91st Amendment Bill: A Constitutional Fraud?" . nuff.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 19 May 2014.

External links ​[ edit ]

Official website

v·t·e Rajya Sabha [show]

v·t·e Parliament of India [show]

v·t·e Government of India [show]

v·t·e Legislatures of India [show]

v·t·e India topics [show]

v·t·e Upper houses of national legislatures [show]

Authority control databases [show]

Categories: Rajya Sabha Parliament of India National upper houses

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