UNC – 250th Session of Rajya Sabha – Wooden Box – FGCO000908

Rajya Sabha is the upper House of Parliament of India, which sagaciously supports democracy, best parliamentary practices and contributes towards nation building under the Chairmanship of Vice- President of India. Tracing back to the history of Rajya Sabha, Bicameral Central Legislature in India came into existence as per the provision of the Government of India Act, 1919 and was inaugurated in 1921 consisting of Governor-General and two Houses, namely, the Council of States and the Legislative Assembly. Subsequently, the Legislative Assembly was renamed as the House of Assembly under the Government of India Act, 1935. The bicameral arrangement continued till 1947. The Constituent Assembly debated on various aspects from 1946 to 1950 and inter alia decided for a bicameral Central Legislature in India. The Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha together with the President of India constitute “Parliament of India”. The Council of States was renamed as Rajya Sabha in the year 1954. As per Constitution of India, the strength of the Rajya Sabha has been fixed at a maximum of 250 members, including 12 nominated members. Unlike the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, but one-third of its members retire every two years. Members are elected through indirect election, with an idea that the opinion cannot be swayed on the basis of populist demand. The supreme role of Rajya Sabha is legislation. Apart from this, Rajya Sabha also has representational role and to hold Government accountable for its action or inaction. It performs judicial functions also for impeachment of President and removal of Judges. Since its first session of the Rajya Sabha on 13th May, 1952, this house has effectively discharged the role mandated by the Constitution. Apart from legislation, it has constructively deliberated and influenced policies of the Government and provided an environment for ventilation of public grievances. These responsibilities were discharged by Rajya Sabha through various time-tested procedural mechanisms and by introducing new procedures.