Rajya Sabha (Council of States) - Continued

 Rajya Sabha (Council of States) - Continued

> As per the Representation of the People Act, 1951, the term of office for a Rajya Sabha member is fixed at 6 years.

>> Rajya Sabha members are not all elected at once. Similarly, they do not all retire at once.

> In terms of the total number of members in the house, 1/3rd of the members retire, and elections are held for an equal number, i.e., 1/3rd of the seats.

> Because biennial elections are held for the Rajya Sabha, and it cannot be dissolved, this house can be described as a 'continuous house' and a 'permanent house'.

» Rajya Sabha members are elected by the members of the State Legislative Assemblies through proportional representation.

» Even though the Rajya Sabha in our country represents the states like in America, equal representation is not given to all states.

* States with the highest number of seats in Rajya Sabha:

    Uttar Pradesh: - 31

    Maharashtra: - 19

    Andhra Pradesh: - 18

    Tamil Nadu: - 18

    West Bengal: - 16

    Bihar: - 16

* States with the fewest seats in Rajya Sabha:

    Except for Assam (7), the remaining 7 North-Eastern states and Goa have one Rajya Sabha representative each.

> There are no reservations applicable to Rajya Sabha seats.

» Rajya Sabha members take their oath of office as per Article 99, before the President or an authority appointed by them.

> As per Article 89, the Vice-President acts as the Ex-officio Chairman (Speaker) for the Rajya Sabha meetings.