Rajya Sabha

New Rajya Sabha chamber in the New Parliament building.jpg

Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Parliament of India, representing the states and union territories of the country. It is also known as the Council of States and plays a crucial role in the legislative process of India. The Rajya Sabha operates as a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution, unlike the Lok Sabha, which is the lower house of Parliament.

Composition

The Rajya Sabha is composed of a maximum of 250 members, out of which 238 are elected to represent the states and union territories, and the remaining 12 members are nominated by the President of India from amongst persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art, and social service. The allocation of seats to the states and union territories is based on their population.

Election

Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies and Electoral college for Union Territories, through a single transferable vote system of proportional representation. The tenure of a Rajya Sabha member is six years, with one-third of the members retiring every two years.

Powers and Functions

The Rajya Sabha shares legislative powers with the Lok Sabha, except in the area of supply, where the latter has overriding powers. In the case of non-financial bills, both houses have equal powers, and the bill needs to be passed by both houses. If there is a disagreement between the two houses, a joint sitting of the Parliament is held to resolve the differences.

The Rajya Sabha has exclusive powers in authorizing the Parliament to make laws on subjects in the State List (as per Article 249 of the Constitution) and to approve Proclamations of Emergency under Article 352.

Role in Indian Polity

The Rajya Sabha plays a critical role in Indian polity by representing the interests of the states at the national level. It acts as a check on the Lok Sabha and provides a forum for debate on important national issues. The Rajya Sabha also plays a vital role in the formation of the government, as the Prime Minister and other ministers can be members of either house, though they must command the confidence of the Lok Sabha to remain in power.

Notable Members

Over the years, the Rajya Sabha has been graced by many eminent personalities who have contributed significantly to the development of Indian democracy. These include scholars, jurists, artists, and politicians of high repute.

Challenges

The Rajya Sabha faces challenges such as the increasing politicization of its functioning and the perception of being a 'rehabilitation center' for politicians who cannot win direct elections. Despite these challenges, it remains an integral part of the Indian legislative system, playing a key role in the country's governance and democracy.