SSC Guide: Important Points about Rajya Sabha(Councils of States)

The Rajya Sabha or Councils of States

• Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of the Parliament of India.
• The Rajya Sabha should consist of not more than 250 members - 238 members representing the States and Union Territories, and 12 members nominated by the President.
• Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution.
• One third of the members retire every second year, and are replaced by newly elected members.
• Each member is elected for a term of six years.
• The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.
• The House also elects a Deputy Chairman from among its members. There is also a panel of Vice- Chairman in the Rajya Sabha.
• The senior minister, who is a member of Rajya Sabha, is appointed by the Prime Minister as Leader of the House.

Qualifications for the member of Rajya Sabha

• One should be a citizen of India
• One should be at least 30 years old
• Be elected by the Legislative Assembly of States and Union Territories by means of single transferable votes through proportional representation.

Limitations

• Money bills, as defined in the constitution of India Article 110, can only be introduced in Lok Sabha. If Lok Sabha passed a Money Bill and transmitted it to Rajya Sabha, then Rajya Sabha has only 14 days to return the bill with or without amendments.
• If Rajya Sabha fails to return the bill in 14 days, the bill is deemed to have passed by both Houses. Also, if Lok Sabha rejects any of the amendments proposed by Rajya Sabha, the bill is deemed to have been passed by Houses of Parliament in the form Lok Sabha finally passes it. Hence, Rajya Sabha cannot stall, or amend a money Bill without Lok Sabha’s concurrence on the same.

Powers of Rajya Sabha

• The constitution empowers Parliament of India to make laws on matters reserved for States. This can only be done if Rajya Sabha first passes a resolution by two-third special majority granting such a power to the Union Parliament. The union government can’t make a law on a matter reserved for stated without an authorization from Rajya Sabha.
• If Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a majority of not less than two- thirds of the members present and voting declaring that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest to create one or more All India Services common to the Union and the States, Parliament becomes empowered to create by law such services.