What is the number of members present in the Rajya Sabha? 

Key Points

• 245 members are present in the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India.
• The Rajya Sabha represents the states and union territories of India and ensures federal balance by protecting the interests of the states.
• Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of State Legislative Assemblies, and by the members of the Electoral college for Union Territories, using a single transferable vote system.
• The Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution, but one-third of its members retire every two years.

Additional Information

• The Rajya Sabha was constituted for the first time on 3rd April 1952.
• It plays a crucial role in the legislative process and acts as a revising chamber, providing a second opinion on the bills passed by the Lok Sabha.
• The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
• The Rajya Sabha can also initiate and pass non-money bills and has equal powers with the Lok Sabha in this regard.
• The Rajya Sabha can suggest amendments to money bills, but it cannot reject or amend them; it can only make recommendations which the Lok Sabha may accept or reject.