Rajya Sabha has exclusive jurisdiction in
Authorizing Parliament to legislate on a subject in the State List
Understanding Rajya Sabha's Role and Powers
The Rajya Sabha, also known as the Council of States, is one of the two houses of the Indian Parliament. While both houses have significant powers, the Rajya Sabha possesses certain unique or 'exclusive' powers that are not shared with the Lok Sabha (House of the People).
Let's examine the given options to identify the power that falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Rajya Sabha.
Analyzing the Options for Exclusive Jurisdiction
- Creation of new States: The power to create new states or alter the boundaries of existing states lies with the Parliament as a whole, under Article 3 of the Constitution. The President refers the Bill to the concerned State Legislature for expressing its views, but Parliament is not bound by these views. This is not an exclusive power of the Rajya Sabha.
- Declaring a war: The decision to declare war is an executive function, exercised by the Union government. While Parliament's approval and support are crucial, particularly for financial matters related to war, the power to formally 'declare' a war is not an exclusive jurisdiction of either House of Parliament.
- Financial emergency: A proclamation of Financial Emergency is issued by the President under Article 360. Such a proclamation must be approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) within a specified period. It requires approval from both houses, not exclusive power of Rajya Sabha.
- Authorizing Parliament to legislate on a subject in the State List: This is a specific power granted to the Rajya Sabha under Article 249 of the Constitution. If the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting, declaring that it is necessary or expedient in national interest that Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List, it authorizes Parliament to legislate on that subject. This is indeed an exclusive power of the Rajya Sabha.
Exclusive Power Under Article 249
Article 249 is a crucial provision that grants the Rajya Sabha an exclusive power related to the division of legislative powers between the Union and the States. Normally, Parliament cannot legislate on subjects listed in the State List. However, Article 249 provides an exception where, if the Rajya Sabha deems it necessary in the national interest, it can enable Parliament to do so temporarily. This power is unique to the Rajya Sabha and highlights its role as a representative of the states, allowing it to initiate a process that impacts state legislative domains when the national interest requires it.
Summary of Exclusive Rajya Sabha Powers
Besides Article 249, the Rajya Sabha also has another exclusive power under Article 312:
- Article 249: Authorizing Parliament to legislate on a State List subject in the national interest.
- Article 312: Authorizing the creation of new All India Services.
Based on the options provided, authorizing Parliament to legislate on a subject in the State List is the correct answer as it is an exclusive power of the Rajya Sabha mentioned in the Constitution.
Revision Table: Parliamentary Powers
| Power/Function | Involved Bodies | Exclusive to Rajya Sabha? |
|---|---|---|
| Creation of new States | Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) | No |
| Declaring a war | Executive (Govt), Parliament's role in approval/funding | No |
| Financial Emergency approval | Both Houses of Parliament (Lok Sabha & Rajya Sabha) | No |
| Authorize Parliament on State List subject (Nat. Interest) | Rajya Sabha (by special resolution) | Yes (Article 249) |
| Authorize creation of All India Services | Rajya Sabha (by special resolution) | Yes (Article 312) |
Additional Information: Role of Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha plays a vital role in the Indian parliamentary system, representing the states and union territories. Its composition is indirect, with members elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies and Union Territories, along with nominated members by the President. As a permanent house, it is not subject to dissolution, unlike the Lok Sabha. Its exclusive powers underscore its federal role, giving states a voice in matters affecting their legislative domain (Article 249) and the national administrative framework (Article 312).
While the Lok Sabha has more power in financial matters (Money Bills can only originate there), the Rajya Sabha has significant power in other legislative matters and specific exclusive powers that balance the federal structure.
Similar Questions
Which one of the following statements about the Vice-President of India is not correct ?
Which one of the following States does not have a Legislative Council?
A Joint Sitting of the Parliament is resorted to, for resolving the deadlock between two Houses of the Parliament for passing which of the following Bills?
1. Money Bill
2. Constitutional Amendment Bill
3. Ordinary Bill
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
The President of India is elected by an Electoral College comprising of elected members of which of the following?
1. Both the Houses of the Parliament
2. The Legislative Assemblies of States
3. The Legislative Councils of States
4. The Legislative Assemblies of NCT of Delhi and Puducherry
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Consider the following statements:
1. The President of India shall have the power to appoint and remove the Speaker of Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is /are correct?
2. The Speaker has to discharge the functions of his office himself throughout his term and cannot delegate his functions to the Deputy Speaker during his absence from the station or during his illness.Which of the following statements regarding Rajya Sabha is/are correct?
1. The maximum permissible strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250.
2. In Rajya Sabha, 238 members are elected indirectly from the States and Union Territories.
3. It shares legislative powers equally with Lok Sabha in matters such as the creation of All India Services.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:Consider the following statements about the President of India:
1. The President has the right to address and send messages to the Council of Ministers to elicit specific information.
2. The President can call for information relating to proposals for legislation.
3. All decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to the administration of the Union must be communicated to the President.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?Who among the following Prime Ministers of India was defeated by a vote of No Confidence?
1. Morarji Desai
2. Viswanath Pratap Singh
3. H.D. Deve Gowda
4. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Select the correct answer using the code given below:Which of the following statements relating to the powers of the President of India is/are correct?
1. The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President.
2. The executive power shall be exercised by the President only through officers subordinate to him.
3. The supreme command of the defense forces of the Union shall be vested in the President.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Which of the following statements relating to the office of the President of India are correct?
1. The President has the power to grant pardon to a criminal in special cases.
2. The President can promulgate ordinances even when the Parliament is in session.
3. The President can dissolve the Rajya Sabha during the emergency.
4. The President has the power to nominate two members in the Lok Sabha from the Anglo Indian community.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Important Questions from Central Government
Who appoints the Chief Election Commissioner of India?
What is correct about the dismissal of Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha ?
i. He can be dismissed by no-confidence motion
ii. To introduce such resolution prior notice of 14 days is essential
iii. Such resolution should be passed by absolute majority
iv. Such resolution should be passed by a majority of the ten members of the house
What is correct ?
i. Finance Bill can be introduced in Lok Sabha only
ii. Rajya Sabha can detain the Finance Bill
If the Vice President removed from his office, what shall happened?
Consider the following statements :
1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies.
2. In 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies.
3. As per the- existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his/her party should bear the cost of bye elections to the constituencies vacated by him/her in the event of him/her winning in all the constituencies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
