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Rajya Sabha

Rajya Sabha or the Council of States is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament. The House is limited by the Constitution to a maximum of 250 members, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President and 238 are representatives of the States and of the two Union Territories. The present Rajya Sabha, however, is 245, out of which 233 are representatives of the States and Union territories of Delhi and Puducherry and 12 are nominated by the President. Members of the Rajya Sabha are indirectly elected. The representatives of each State and two Union territories are elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of that State and by the members of the Electoral College for that Union Territory. The Chairperson of the House is the Vice President of India. The Upper House is a permanent House and is not subject to dissolution. But one-third of its members retire after every two years.Each member's term is for six years.

RAJYA SABHA NEWS

VP Radhakrishnan’s challenge — defending federalism in Rajya Sabha

September 10, 2025 6:12 pm

India’s federal balance rests on the daily practice of bicameralism under an impartial Chair. That is the standard by which any VP should be judged

Online gaming companies move to shut paid operations as gaming Bill gets Rajya Sabha nod

August 24, 2025 7:49 am

"Everyone will shut down paid operations for now, as the industry prepares a legal roadmap to challenge the law," a senior gaming industry executive said.

RS passes Bill to boost exploration and supply of critical and deep-seated minerals

August 20, 2025 1:29 am

No Opposition member participated in the two-hour discussion during which 19 MPs spoke in support of the Bill.  Lok Sabha passed the Bill on August 12.

Amid disruptions, Rajya Sabha Chair says expunged proceedings should not be shared on social media

August 20, 2025 1:12 am

While Rajya Sabha was adjourned till lunch soon after it began proceedings in the morning, Lok Sabha first got adjourned till noon and then till 2 pm amid protests from the Opposition.

Rajya Sabha clears Bill to modernise 1908 ports law, ensure global compliance

August 19, 2025 4:17 am

The Bill, which was passed by the Lok Sabha on August 12, seeks to modernise the outdated provisions of the Indian Ports Act, 1908, promote integrated port development, facilitate businesses and ensure utilisation of India’s coastline.

1.87 crore candidates applied for 64,197 vacancies in Railways in 2024: Data

August 13, 2025 9:34 am

Data from the Railway Ministry shows that in the past four to five years, the pressure has grown due to multiple overlapping factors -- large batches of employees have hit superannuation age, while the network itself has been expanding and modernising.

Of 52,910 candidates, 33,950 not selected after interview for govt jobs: Govt tells Rajya Sabha

August 09, 2025 8:10 pm

The Ministry has encouraged these candidates to register their profiles on the NCS portal – ncs.gov.in and on the UPSC website under the miscellaneous candidates’ section – upsconline.gov.in/miscellaneous/pdoiac.

Parliament Monsoon Session 2025 Highlights: Both Houses adjourned till Monday amid Oppn uproar over various issues

August 11, 2025 9:39 am

Parliament Monsoon Session 2025 Highlights: Follow live updates on matters such as Bihar SIR, crucial bills and Opposition protests in both Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha.

Serial contestant among first three to file nominations

August 08, 2025 4:00 am

All three nominations were rejected for not complying with statutory requirements, as per a statement from the Rajya Sabha secretariat. One of those unsuccessful candidates was Dr K Padmarajan, a resident of Salem, Tamil Nadu.

Parliament passes Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill by voice vote amid Oppn protests

August 07, 2025 5:31 am

Lok Sabha passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, which replaces the 1925 Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, in March this year.

RAJYA SABHA PHOTOS

MPs walk from old Parliament building to new: A transition in photos

September 19, 2023 1:54 pm

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his address, said, "As we move to new Parliament building, we should maintain prestige of old building."

From Rahul Gandhi's return to heated discussion on Manipur violence: Highlights from Parliament this week

August 11, 2023 8:27 am

This week marked Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's return to the Parliament after being suspended as an MP over a defamation case.

Parliament impasse drags on as Oppn stages protest over Manipur violence

July 24, 2023 9:49 pm

The Opposition parties are planning to hold an overnight protest in the Parliament complex against the AAP MP Sanjay Singh's suspension from the Rajya Sabha and to press for Prime Minister’s statement on the Manipur issue.

Parliament Monsoon Session begins: Here's how the first day unfolded

July 19, 2021 5:28 pm

The Monsoon Session of Parliament began on Monday as the opposition cornered the ruling dispensation over a host of issues, including handling of the second wave of Covid-19, rise in fuel prices, farmers' stir and the recently published Pegasus report.

'Will witness creation of aatmanirbhar Bharat': PM lays foundation stone of new Parliament House

December 10, 2020 7:28 pm

If the old Parliament House gave direction to India post-independence, the new building would be a witness to the creation of a self-reliant India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday.

Former CJI Ranjan Gogoi takes oath as RS member amid walkout by opposition

March 19, 2020 3:32 pm

As ex-CJI Ranjan Gogoi reached the designated spot to take the oath, opposition members raised slogans prompting Chairman M Venkaiah Naidu to say that it was unbecoming of members.

Modi govt's last day in Parliament: Hugs, digs, protests, little business

February 15, 2019 7:31 am

The Parliament approved Modi Government’s sixth and final Budget that gave Income Tax rebate to those earning up to Rs 5 lakh, an annual cash dole of Rs 6,000 to small farmers and pension for unorganised sector workers.

Like a boss: This is how MP Mary Kom spends quality time with children

August 02, 2018 6:41 am

Comparisons of her dual role with a certain Manny Pacquiao only evoke laughter from MC Mary Kom but the five-time world champion says being an active boxer and a parliamentarian at the same time is no laughing matter.

Rajya Sabha nominations 2016: Faces to look out for

May 30, 2016 6:19 pm

Parties like BJP, Congress, JD(U), RJD among other have revealed some of the names as their nomination for Rajya Sabha in 2016. Here are a few:

Rekha makes appearance in Parliament

August 12, 2014 4:36 pm

Bollywood star Rekha on Tuesday turned up to attend the proceedings of the Rajya Sabha amidst criticism for attending only seven sittings.

RAJYA SABHA VIDEOS

Thousands gathers in Assam to protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill

June 22, 2020 6:04 pm

More than 5000 people gathered together to oppose the controversial Citizenship (Amendment) Bill at a protest organised by the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU), backed by 30 indigenous organisations.

Ravi Shankar Prasad tells Parliament about the plan to control WhatsApp rumours

June 22, 2020 6:20 pm

The Union Minister made an elaborate speech in the Rajya Sabha where he listed out the various incidents of violence - like lynching - which were reported because of rumour-mongering on WhatsApp and laid out the plan to tackle it.

Aircel-Maxis scam: Uproar in Parliament over Karti Chidambaram's role

March 01, 2016 9:05 am

New Delhi, Mar 01 (ANI): Proceedings in the Parliament were adjourned today following an uproar by AIADMK members over former finance minister P Chidambaram's son Karti Chidambaram's alleged involvement in the Aircel-Maxis scam. AIADMK members marched into the Well of the House and raised slogans against Karti, following which the Rajya Sabha was adjourned till 2.00 pm. Meanwhile, a similar situation prevailed in the Lok Sabha as well.

I attended Mahishasura event in JNU: BJP MP

February 26, 2016 9:26 am

New Delhi, Feb 26 (ANI): Confirming his attendance at the ‘Mahishasura festival’ of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in 2011, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Udit Raj on Friday said that he changed his thoughts after joining the saffron party. Raj further stated that Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Smriti Irani’s remarks on the Mahishasura event were political and he attended the event as an activist then. Irani had yesterday created a huge uproar in the Rajya Sabha by reading out a document on the Mahishasur Puja, observed on the JNU campus every October since 2011.

Rajya Sabha adjourned over Rohith Vemula case

February 24, 2016 7:34 am

New Delhi, Feb 24 (ANI): Rajya Sabha Deputy chairman PJ Kurien adjourned the house again till noon as Bahujan Samaj Party leader Mayawati raised the issue of Rohith Vemula, a Dalit student who committed suicide earlier this year after being suspended that created ado. Other BSP MPs also started sloganeering against the Central Government and demanded justice for Vemula's family.

PM Modi calls all-party meet to discuss Budget Session

February 16, 2016 4:57 am

New Delhi, Feb 16 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday called an all-party meet of the leaders of Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha to discuss upcoming budget session. The Budget Session of Parliament will commence on February 23. The Rail Budget will be presented on February 25 and the Economic survey on February 26. Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will present the Union Budget for 2016-17 on February 29.

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