How many members of Rajya Sabha are nominated by the President?

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct answer to the question "How many members of Rajya Sabha are nominated by the President?" is Option 1: 12. Here is a detailed explanation supporting this answer:

1. **Justification for Option 1 (12 members):**
   - The Rajya Sabha, which is the upper house of the Parliament of India, consists of a total of 245 members. Out of these, 233 members are elected by the legislatures of the states and union territories using a single transferable vote system, while 12 members are nominated by the President of India.
   - The nomination of these 12 members is based on their expertise and contributions in various fields such as literature, science, art, and social service. This provision is made under Article 80 of the Indian Constitution, which empowers the President to nominate individuals who have excelled in these areas, thereby enriching the quality of debate and discussion in the Rajya Sabha.

2. **Explanation for why other options are incorrect:**
   - **Option 2 (18 members):** This option is incorrect because the Indian Constitution does not provide for the nomination of 18 members to the Rajya Sabha by the President. The number has always been fixed at 12 since the inception of the Rajya Sabha.
   - **Option 3 (20 members):** Similarly, this option is incorrect as there is no constitutional provision or historical precedent for the nomination of 20 members to the Rajya Sabha by the President. The number remains 12.
   - **Option 4 (22 members):** This option is also incorrect. The Constitution clearly specifies that only 12 members are to be nominated by the President, and there has never been a provision for nominating 22 members.

In conclusion, the correct answer is Option 1: 12 members, as per the constitutional provisions outlined in Article 80 of the Indian Constitution. The other options do not align with the constitutional mandate and are therefore incorrect.