Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian Parliament, consists of a maximum of 250 members. Among these, 238 members represent the states and union territories, while the remaining 12 are nominated by the President. Unlike the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved. However, one-third of its members retire every two years, and they are replaced by newly elected members.

Composition and Membership

Each member of the Rajya Sabha is elected for a term of six years. The Vice President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. Additionally, the house elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members. Apart from this, there is a panel of Deputy Chairpersons in the Rajya Sabha. The Leader of the House, usually a senior minister who is a member of the Rajya Sabha, is appointed by the Prime Minister as the leader of the house.

Selection of Members

Members of the Rajya Sabha are chosen through indirect elections based on the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The Constitution stipulates that the maximum number of members in the house will be 550 – 530 representing the states and 20 representing the union territories. Currently, the total number of members in the house is 543.

Term and Sessions

The term of the Lok Sabha, unless dissolved earlier, is five years from the date appointed for its first meeting. However, when a proclamation of emergency is in operation, this period can be extended by Parliament by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time, and not extending in any case beyond six months after the proclamation has ceased to operate.