Journalism of Courage
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
In Odisha churn, Patnaik, Congress join hands against BJP in RS polls, bat for a ‘common face’
February 28, 2026 8:07 pm
The ruling BJP has enough MLAs to bag at least two RS seats, while BJD has numbers for one seat; for the fourth seat, Naveen Patnaik has fielded a prominent urologist as a “common candidate” with Congress’s backing
Delhi Confidential: Roll & Poll
February 28, 2026 5:49 am
Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress is unable to fully strategise its Assembly election plans amid the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls, the final list of which is being published on Saturday.
Congress stakes claim on seventh Rajya Sabha seat from MVA
February 26, 2026 10:44 pm
According to sources, NCP-SP leaders Jayant Patil and Shashikant Shinde raised the issue of the seat being allotted to their party.
1 Rajya Sabha seat, 3 claimants, and a test of alliance unity: Opposition’s Maharashtra dilemma
February 26, 2026 4:22 am
While NCP (SP) pushes for Sharad Pawar’s nomination, Sena (UBT) cites legislative strength to stake its claim, and Congress adopts a wait-and-watch approach.
BJP likely to nominate Ramdas Athawale for third term in Rajya Sabha
February 23, 2026 9:11 pm
Athawale got a Rajya Sabha seat in 2014. In July 2016, he was made Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment in the Narendra Modi-led government at the Centre. He continues to hold post after the 2019 and 2024 general elections.
NDA eyes Bihar Rajya Sabha sweep: JD(U) set to retain Ram Nath Thakur; BJP names unclear
February 23, 2026 1:45 am
With 202 MLAs in the 243-member Assembly, the NDA is assured of four seats. Even if the Opposition fields a nominee, triggering a contest, the alliance will need the support of just three additional MLAs to secure the fifth seat.
Poised to pick up 19 RS seats, NDA steps up for states with narrow Assembly majority
February 22, 2026 1:14 am
Of 37 Upper House seats slated for March 16 polls in 10 states, BJP and allies have enough numbers to elect 19 MPs as against Opposition's 12, with the remaining 6 requiring “manoeuvrings” by contenders
Nara Lokesh's man Friday: From TDP backroom strategist to key RS probable, who is Rajesh Kilaru
February 22, 2026 7:15 am
Some TDP leaders say the elevation of Kilaru, a loyalist of Chandrababu Naidu family, to Delhi's power corridors would be “necessary” given the party's crucial alliance with BJP
Knowledge Nugget: Why Rajya Sabha elections matter for UPSC exam
February 25, 2026 5:48 pm
UPSC Current Affairs: Since the EC has issued the notification for elections to Rajya Sabha seats, let’s revisit the basics to understand how Rajya Sabha elections are held and what powers the House possesses.
Shiv Sena (UBT) stakes claim to MVA’s only winnable Rajya Sabha seat in Maharashtra
February 19, 2026 8:16 pm
Maharashtra Congress president Harshvardhan Sapkal said alliance partners must first clarify their political positions before arriving at a collective decision.
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.
PM Modi Mocks Congress But NDA Suffers Embarrassment In Rajya Sabha
March 10, 2016 10:21 am
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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