Nomination to the Rajya Sabha

Author and philanthropist Sudha Murty was recently selected as the 12^th nominated member to Rajya Sabha by the President of India.

About Nominated members to the Rajya Sabha:

• 12 members are nominated to the Upper House (Rajya Sabha) of the Parliament by the President on the recommendation of the government.
• A nominated member of Rajya Sabha, like an elected member retires after a period of 6 years.
• Under Article 80 (3) of the Constitution, out of the 245 members in the Rajya Sabha, 12 are selected based on their special knowledge or practical experience in various fields.
  • This includes areas such as literature, science, art, and social service.
• A nominated member is allowed to join a political party within the first six months of taking a seat.
• The Tenth Schedule of the Constitution states the grounds for disqualification of nominated members of Upper House.
• A nominated member shall be disqualified if he/she joins any political party after the expiry of six months from the date on which he/she takes his seat.
• The member must comply with the requirements of Article 99 or Article 188, which deal with the provisions of taking an oath after being nominated.
• A nominated member enjoys all the powers, privileges and immunities available to an elected Member of Parliament (MP).
• They take part in the proceedings of the House as any other member but are not entitled to vote in the election of the President of India.
• But have the rights to vote in the Vice Presidential election.
• A nominated member is exempted from filing his assets and liabilities under Section 75A of the Representation of the Peoples Act, 1951.
  • It requires the elected member to do so within 90 days of his making or subscribing oath/affirmation.