The Rajya Sabha, or the Council of States, is one of the two houses of the Parliament of India, with the Lok Sabha (House of the People) being the other. The composition of the Rajya Sabha is defined by the Constitution of India.
Members:
Elected Members:
- The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. It consists of not more than 250 members, of which:
- 238 members are elected by the elected members of the legislative assemblies of States and Union territories.
- 12 members are nominated by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.
Representation of States and Union Territories:
- The allocation of seats among the states and union territories is based on the principles of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
Term of Office:
Six-Year Term:
- Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a term of six years. One-third of the members retire every two years.
Continuity:
- The Rajya Sabha is a continuing chamber, and its members are not all elected at the same time. This helps in providing continuity and stability to the functioning of the house.
Qualifications:
Citizenship:
- A person must be a citizen of India to be a member of the Rajya Sabha.
Age:
- The minimum age for eligibility is 30 years.
Qualification:
- The candidate must possess the qualifications prescribed by Parliament.
Representation of Different States and Union Territories:
Allocation of Seats:
- The allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha is based on the population of each state and union territory. Larger states have more representation compared to smaller ones.
Representation of Union Territories:
- Union territories without legislative assemblies are represented in the Rajya Sabha by members nominated by the President.
Nominated Members:
Expertise in Specific Fields:
- The President can nominate members to the Rajya Sabha for their expertise in various fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.
Vacancies and By-elections:
Filling of Vacancies:
- If a seat in the Rajya Sabha becomes vacant between two biennial elections, it is filled through by-elections.
Role and Powers:
Legislative Functions:
- The Rajya Sabha is a revising chamber and has legislative powers similar to the Lok Sabha. It reviews and suggests amendments to bills.
Representation of States:
- The Rajya Sabha provides representation to states and union territories, ensuring their participation in the legislative process.
Special Powers:
- The Rajya Sabha has special powers in certain matters, such as approving the proclamation of a state of emergency and approving the creation of All India Services.
Conclusion:
The composition of the Rajya Sabha is designed to ensure representation of states and union territories in the legislative process. The mix of elected and nominated members, along with the rotational system of elections, provides stability and continuity to the functioning of the house. The Rajya Sabha plays a crucial role in the Indian parliamentary system by reviewing legislation, representing states, and exercising special powers in certain situations.
