Understanding Presidential Nomination to Council of States

The Parliament of India consists of the President and two Houses: the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). The Council of States, or Rajya Sabha, is the upper house and plays a crucial role in India's parliamentary system.

Composition of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha)

The Rajya Sabha has a maximum strength of 250 members. The members are primarily elected by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the States and the Union Territories. However, a certain number of members are also nominated by the President of India.

Members Nominated by the President of India

Article 80 of the Constitution of India deals with the composition of the Council of States. It specifies that the Council of States shall consist of:

1. Twelve members nominated by the President in accordance with the provisions of clause (3).
2. Not more than two hundred and thirty-eight representatives of the States and of the Union territories.

Clause (3) of Article 80 states that the members to be nominated by the President shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as the following, namely:

• Literature
• Science
• Art
• Social service

These nominated members bring diverse expertise and perspectives to the Rajya Sabha, enriching its debates and legislative process.

Answering the Question

The question asks specifically about the number of members in the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) who can be nominated by the President of India. Based on Article 80 of the Constitution of India, the President has the power to nominate 12 members to the Rajya Sabha.

Let's look at the options provided:

• 9
• 15
• 12
• 6

Comparing this with the constitutional provision, the correct number is 12.

Key Points on Rajya Sabha Nomination

• The power of nomination rests with the President of India.
• The nomination is for persons with special knowledge or practical experience.
• The fields covered for nomination are Literature, Science, Art, and Social Service.
• The purpose is to provide representation to distinguished individuals who might not be able to contest elections.

Therefore, the number of members in the Council of States that can be nominated by the President of India is 12.

Revision Table: Council of States Facts

Additional Information: Role of Nominated Members

Nominated members in the Rajya Sabha enjoy almost all the powers and privileges of an elected Member of Parliament (MP). They can participate in the proceedings of the House, vote on most matters, and contribute to legislative discussions. However, they are not allowed to vote in the election of the President of India, though they can vote in the election of the Vice-President.

The nomination process allows the Parliament to benefit from the expertise and experience of eminent individuals from various walks of life who might not be inclined towards active party politics or electoral processes. This mechanism is borrowed from the Irish Constitution.