Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha or Council of States:

-It is the upper house of the Parliament of India.

-Maximum strength of members are limited to 250.

-Out of this 12 are nominated by the President of India for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social services.

-At present the actual strength of R.S is 245, of which 229 from States and 4 from U.Ts are elected and 12 are nominated by the President.

-Total Strength will remain 245 till 2026 (by the 84th Amendment Act 2001)

-The representatives of states are elected by members of state assembly through single transferable vote.

-The voting in open ballot i.e. who voted for whom is known.

-The term of the Members in the office is six years, where one third of the members retiring every two years.

-It is not subject to dissolution.

-The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who presides over its sessions.

-The Rajya Sabha held its first sitting on 13 May 1952.