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1.2.2 - Rajya Sabha

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Composition of the Rajya Sabha

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Teacher
Teacher

Today, we’ll learn about the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament. Can anyone tell me how many members it can have?

Student 1
Student 1

Isn’t it 250 members?

Teacher
Teacher

Correct! And currently, how many members are serving in the Rajya Sabha?

Student 2
Student 2

I think it’s 245 members now.

Teacher
Teacher

Right! Of these, 233 are elected. Can anyone tell me who elects them?

Student 3
Student 3

They are elected by the State Legislative Assemblies and Union Territories.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! Additionally, there are 12 members nominated by the President for their expertise in specific fields. This composition ensures diverse representation in the Rajya Sabha. Let’s summarize: Rajya Sabha has 250 members maximum, with 245 currently. 233 are elected, and the President nominates 12.

Tenure and Elections

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Teacher
Teacher

Now, can someone explain the tenure of a Rajya Sabha member?

Student 4
Student 4

A Rajya Sabha member serves for six years, right?

Teacher
Teacher

That's correct! And how often do we see changes in the membership?

Student 1
Student 1

One-third of the members retire every two years.

Teacher
Teacher

Perfect! So, while Lok Sabha members are directly elected, Rajya Sabha members are indirectly elected. Can someone elaborate on the significance of this distinction?

Student 2
Student 2

Indirect elections allow for more experienced individuals in the Rajya Sabha who may not get direct public support.

Teacher
Teacher

Great observation! This highlights the indirect representation system in the Rajya Sabha.

Nominations and Special Expertise

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Teacher
Teacher

Let's dive into the President's nominations. Why do you think these nominations are essential for the Rajya Sabha?

Student 3
Student 3

They bring in experts from different fields to the legislature.

Teacher
Teacher

Exactly! This ensures that the parliament not only has politicians but also individuals who contribute significantly to society. What are some of these fields?

Student 4
Student 4

Art, literature, science, and social service.

Teacher
Teacher

Well done! By having diverse expertise, the Rajya Sabha can better address social issues. To summarize, the President nominates 12 members to ensure expertise in essential fields.

Introduction & Overview

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Quick Overview

The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of the Indian Parliament, comprising members elected by state legislators and nominated by the President.

Standard

The Rajya Sabha consists of a maximum of 250 members, with 245 currently serving. Members are elected for a six-year term, with one-third retiring every two years. The President nominates 12 members based on their expertise in various fields.

Detailed

Rajya Sabha Overview

The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is the upper house of the Parliament of India. It has a maximum strength of 250 members, and currently, 245 members are present. Among these:
- 233 members are elected by the Legislative Assemblies of the states and Union territories.
- 12 members are nominated by the President of India, specifically for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social service.

Members of the Rajya Sabha serve a tenure of six years, with one-third of the members retiring every two years, which ensures regular renewal of membership. Unlike the Lok Sabha, members of the Rajya Sabha are indirectly elected, meaning they are not voted in directly by the public but by elected representatives from the states. Understanding the composition and functionality of the Rajya Sabha is essential, as it plays a critical role in the legislative process and provides representation to the states in the Parliament.

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Composition of Rajya Sabha

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  • Maximum strength: 250 members
  • Current strength: 245 members
  • 233 elected by State Legislative Assemblies and Union Territory legislatures
  • 12 nominated by the President (from art, literature, science, and social service)

Detailed Explanation

The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Upper House or the Council of States, has a maximum capacity of 250 members. Currently, it has 245 members. Out of these, 233 members are elected by the legislative assemblies of the states and union territories. Additionally, the President of India nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha, choosing individuals from the fields of art, literature, science, and social service, which ensures that the House has representation from diverse sectors of Indian culture and society.

Examples & Analogies

Think of the Rajya Sabha as a team in a game where different positions need to be filled; the elected members represent players who have proven their skills (elected by the states), while the nominated members are like experienced coaches brought in to provide guidance and expertise, ensuring that the team has a well-rounded approach.

Tenure and Election Process

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  • Tenure: 6 years
  • 1/3rd members retire every 2 years
  • Members are indirectly elected

Detailed Explanation

Members of the Rajya Sabha serve a term of 6 years. However, the Rajya Sabha is designed in such a way that one-third of its members retire every two years. This staggered retirement ensures continuity within the House while allowing for regular refreshment of its membership. Additionally, members of the Rajya Sabha are indirectly elected, meaning they are not directly voted in by the public; instead, they are chosen by the elected representatives of the state assemblies.

Examples & Analogies

Consider the Rajya Sabha like a university faculty where teachers have varied lengths of contracts. As some contracts expire every two years, new educators can join while the experienced ones continue to guide students. This balance helps maintain stability while also integrating fresh ideas and perspectives.

Definitions & Key Concepts

Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.

Key Concepts

  • Maximum Strength: The Rajya Sabha can have a maximum of 250 members.

  • Elected and Nominated Members: It consists of 233 elected members and 12 nominated by the President.

  • Tenure: Members serve a tenure of six years, with one-third retiring every two years.

  • Indirect Election: Members are elected indirectly by state legislatures.

Examples & Real-Life Applications

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Examples

  • The elected members of the Rajya Sabha represent the various states and Union Territories of India, providing a platform for state's voices.

  • The nominated members bring specialized knowledge to the Parliament, which enriches debates and discussions.

Memory Aids

Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.

🎵 Rhymes Time

  • In the Rajya Sabha, 250 is the cap, with 233 elected on the map.

📖 Fascinating Stories

  • Picture a wise old council where leaders from states meet and experts give insight, ensuring wisdom reigns during debates.

🧠 Other Memory Gems

  • For Rajya Sabha, remember 'E-N-T' - Elected by the state, Nominated by the President, Tenured for six years!

🎯 Super Acronyms

R-E-S-P-E-C-T

  • Rajya Sabha - Elected
  • State representation
  • President’s Nominees
  • Every six years.

Flash Cards

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Glossary of Terms

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  • Term: Rajya Sabha

    Definition:

    The upper house of the Parliament of India, comprised of elected and nominated members, responsible for representing the states.

  • Term: Nominated Members

    Definition:

    Members appointed by the President based on their expertise in specific fields, such as arts and sciences.

  • Term: Tenure

    Definition:

    The duration for which a member serves in a legislative body; in Rajya Sabha, it is six years.

  • Term: Indirection Election

    Definition:

    A process where members are elected by representatives rather than directly by the public.