Rajya Sabha — Definition
Definition
The Rajya Sabha, officially known as the Council of States, is the upper house of India's bicameral Parliament. Established under Article 80 of the Constitution, it represents the federal character of Indian democracy by ensuring that states have a voice in national legislation regardless of their population size.
Unlike the Lok Sabha, which represents the people directly, the Rajya Sabha represents the states and union territories of India. The house consists of a maximum of 250 members, with 238 elected by state legislative assemblies and 12 nominated by the President for their expertise in literature, science, art, and social service.
Members serve six-year terms, with one-third retiring every two years, making it a permanent house that cannot be dissolved. The Rajya Sabha plays a crucial role in India's federal structure by providing smaller states equal representation and acting as a revising chamber for legislation.
It has special powers in matters of creating new All India Services and altering state boundaries. The Vice President of India serves as its ex-officio Chairman, while it elects its own Deputy Chairman.
The house follows the principle of proportional representation through the Single Transferable Vote system for elections, ensuring fair representation based on party strength in state assemblies. This unique composition and election method make the Rajya Sabha a vital institution for maintaining federal balance and providing continuity in governance, serving as a stabilizing force in India's parliamentary democracy.