The "Council of States" or Rajya Sabha (Hindi: राज्य सभा) is the upper house of the Parliament of India. Membership is limited to 250 members, 12 of whom are chosen by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields of art, literature, science, and social services. These members are known as nominated members. The remainder of the body is elected by the state and territorial legislatures. Terms of office are for six years, with one third of the members retiring every two years.
The Rajya Sabha meets in continuous sessions and, unlike the Lok Sabha, is not subject to dissolution. The Rajya Sabha has equal footing in all areas of legislation with Lok Sabha, except in the area of supply, where the Lok Sabha has overriding powers. In the case of conflicting legislation, a joint sitting of the two houses is held.
However, since the Lok Sabha has twice as many members as the Rajya Sabha, it would normally hold the greater power in such joint sessions. Only three joint sessions have been held; the last one was for the passage of the anti-terror law POTA in 2002.
The Rajya Sabha meets in continuous sessions and, unlike the Lok Sabha, is not subject to dissolution. The Rajya Sabha has equal footing in all areas of legislation with Lok Sabha, except in the area of supply, where the Lok Sabha has overriding powers. In the case of conflicting legislation, a joint sitting of the two houses is held.
However, since the Lok Sabha has twice as many members as the Rajya Sabha, it would normally hold the greater power in such joint sessions. Only three joint sessions have been held; the last one was for the passage of the anti-terror law POTA in 2002.
The Vice-President of India (currently, Hamid Ansari) is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who is elected from amongst its members, takes care of the day-to-day matters of the house in the absence of the Chairman. The Rajya Sabha held its first sitting on 13 May 1952.
Main article: Members of Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha has at most 250 members. Out of them 238 are elected indirectly by the state legislatures or by the union territory legislation if it has one (Only National Capital Territory of Delhi and Puducherry have legislatures). Seats are allotted in proportion to the population of each state / union territory. The other 12 members are nominated by the President of India.[citation needed]Membership Composition
Members by Party Source: Election Commission of India suggesting everyone
| Alliances (after 2010 election) | Party | MPs |
|---|---|---|
| United Progressive Alliance Seats: 91 | Indian National Congress | 71 |
| Nationalist Congress Party | 7 | |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 7 | |
| All India Trinamool Congress | 3 | |
| National Conference | 2 | |
| Bodoland People's Front | 1 | |
| National Democratic Alliance Seats: 69 | Bharatiya Janata Party | 51 |
| Janata Dal (United) | 7 | |
| Shiv Sena | 4 | |
| Shiromani Akali Dal | 3 | |
| Asom Gana Parishad | 2 | |
| Rashtriya Lok Dal | 1 | |
| Indian National Lok Dal | 1 | |
| Third Front Seats: 34 | Communist Party of India (Marxist) | 13 |
| Biju Janata Dal | 6 | |
| Communist Party of India | 5 | |
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | 5 | |
| Telugu Desam Party | 4 | |
| All India Forward Bloc | 1 | |
| Parties supporting UPA from outside Seats: 32 | Samajwadi Party | 5 |
| Bahujan Samaj Party | 18 | |
| Rashtriya Janata Dal | 4 | |
| Lok Janshakti Party | 2 | |
| Mizo National Front | 1 | |
| Sikkim Democratic Front | 1 | |
| Nagaland People's Front | 1 | |
| Nominated | 8 | |
| Other Parties and Independents | 6 | |
| Vacant Seats | 1 | |
| Total | 245 |
