AI overview
The Rajya Sabha is the upper house of India's parliament, where representatives from India's states and union territories debate and vote on national laws alongside the lower house (Lok Sabha). It serves as a check on legislative power by reviewing bills, representing state interests at the national level, and ensuring that regional concerns are considered in the law-making process.
AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.
Article
The Rajya Sabha, also known as Council of States, is the upper house of the Parliament of India, of which the Lok Sabha is the lower house. The Rajya Sabha represents India's federal units – the states and union territories. Where the Lok Sabha is directly elected by the population, the Rajya Sabha is composed of members chosen by the state and union territory legislatures, giving the states a formal role in national law-making. Unlike the Lok Sabha, it is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved.
The council has a maximum membership of 245, of which 233 are elected by the state legislative assemblies of India and union territories using single transferable votes through open ballots, while the President of India can appoint 12 members for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social service. The total allowed capacity is 250 (238 elected, 12 appointed) according to article 80 of the Constitution of India. The current potential seating capacity of the Rajya Sabha is 245 (233 elected, 12 appointed), after the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act. The maximum seats of 250 members can be filled up at the discretion and requirements of the council.