Rajya Sabha

The Rajya Sabha, or the Council of States, is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament and serves as a vital component of the nation’s bicameral legislative system, working alongside the Lok Sabha (Lower House). Established in 1952, the Rajya Sabha functions as a permanent body, representing the states and union territories of India at the central level. Unlike the Lok Sabha, which is dissolved every five years, the Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution. Instead, it undergoes partial renewal, with one-third of its members retiring every two years.

The Rajya Sabha has 245 members, including 12 nominated by the President of India for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social service, while the rest are elected by the State Legislative Assemblies and Electoral College of Union Territories. Members of the Rajya Sabha serve for a term of six years and contribute to legislation, policy debates, and oversight of the executive. The house has the power to propose, review, and amend bills, particularly those related to national policies, constitutional amendments, and states' interests.

The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The current Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar (since August 2022), presides over the Rajya Sabha, ensuring that the proceedings are conducted smoothly and fairly. The Chairman has the authority to maintain order, interpret procedural rules, and guide debates within the house. In the Chairman’s absence, the Deputy Chairman—elected from among the members—takes over the responsibilities.

The Rajya Sabha has been instrumental in fostering cooperative federalism, offering a platform for states to express their concerns at the national level. It is particularly significant for protecting regional interests, providing equal representation for smaller states, and contributing to the legislative process by reviewing bills passed by the Lok Sabha.

In August 2024, BOOM fact-checked a viral video claiming that Priyanka Chaturvedi, a Rajya Sabha member, interrupted Medha Kulkarni for speaking in Marathi.

BOOM found out that the longer version of the video shows Chaturvedi mentioning that she understands Marathi, debunking the false narrative that she opposed Kulkarni’s use of the language.