India’s Parliament consists of the President and two Houses. The Rajya Sabha, its Upper House, represents the States and never fully dissolves.
✅ Must Know
What Parliament Is
- Article 79 Under Article 79, Parliament consists of the President and two Houses: the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
The Six-Month Gap Rule
- Session Gap The Constitution requires that the gap between two Parliament sessions not exceed six months.
Rajya Sabha’s Size
- 250 Members The Rajya Sabha has a maximum strength of 250 members, with 12 nominated by the President for special knowledge or experience.
How Seats Are Allocated
- Population-Based Rajya Sabha seats among States are allocated based on population. Members are elected by State Legislative Assemblies.
A Permanent Body
- Never Dissolved The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body, never fully dissolved. About one-third of its members retire every two years.
Where the Two Houses Are Actually Equal
- UPSC 2020 The Rajya Sabha has genuinely equal power with the Lok Sabha in one area: amending the Constitution. Article 368 requires passage in each House separately, with no override. It has NO role in removing the government, since that is a Lok Sabha-only power. It has NO role in cut motions either, since those are also financial and Lok Sabha-only. On creating new All India Services, the Rajya Sabha actually has MORE power than the Lok Sabha, not merely equal power. Article 312 lets the Rajya Sabha alone pass the enabling resolution. Asked as: “Rajya Sabha has equal powers with Lok Sabha in” (UPSC CSP 2020, GS Paper I).
📘 Good to Know
Money Bills Skip the Rajya Sabha
- Lok Sabha Only A Money Bill cannot be introduced in the Rajya Sabha; it must originate in the Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha can only delay a Money Bill by up to 14 days, after which it is deemed passed regardless.
The Presiding Officer
- Vice-President The Vice-President of India serves as the Rajya Sabha’s ex-officio presiding officer.
Test Yourself
🏆 Great to Know
Built for Continuity
- Design Choice The Rajya Sabha’s permanent, staggered-retirement structure was deliberately designed to provide continuity and stability, unlike the Lok Sabha’s complete periodic renewal.
Why Money Bills Stay in the Lok Sabha
- Directly Elected Restricting Money Bills to the Lok Sabha reflects the principle that the directly elected House should control financial legislation most directly.
Larger States, More Influence
- Population Weighting Population-based Rajya Sabha representation means larger States have proportionally more influence in the Upper House than smaller ones.
📰 Current Affairs
Member Sworn In
- 22 Jun 2026 Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan administered the oath to re-elected member Shri Neeraj Dangi. Dangi represents Rajasthan. Deputy Chairman Shri Harivansh and other senior members were present. (Source: PIB)
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Which of the following Acts, receiving presidential assent on 24 December 2023, replaced the Indian Telegraph Act 1885, the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1933 and the Telegraph Wires (Unlawful Possession) Act 1950?Under Article 61 of the Constitution, by what majority must the resolution preferring the charge of impeachment against the President be passed in each House of Parliament?Which Article of the Constitution provides that it shall be the endeavour of every State to provide adequate facilities for instruction in the mother tongue at the primary stage to children belonging to linguistic minority groups?In which situation can a State Governor issue an ordinance under Article 213 of the Constitution?🎲 Take a Indian Polity And Constitution Quiz
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