The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of Parliament. Being the 'Council of State', it represents the States and the Union Territories.
→The Rajya Sabha consists of 250 members. Of these, 238 members are elected by the members of the Vidhan Sabhas of the States and the Union Territories.
→ The President nominates 12 eminent persons on the Rajya Sabha who have special knowledge and experience in the fields of literature, science, arts, social work, education, sports and cultural activities.
→238 seats are distributed among the States and the Union Territories on the basis of population.
→The method of proportional representation by single transferable vote is followed in the election to the Rajya Sabha.
→The Rajya Sabha is the 'Permanent House' of Parliament. The normal tenure of a member is six years. One-third members retire after every two years and as many new members are elected.
→The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Deputy Chairman is elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha from among themselves.