The correct option is It allows urgent business to be conducted even when the Lok Sabha is dissolved.
Explanation
The Parliament of India consists of the President, the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), and the House of the People (Lok Sabha). Unlike the Lok Sabha, which is subject to dissolution every five years or earlier, the Rajya Sabha is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. One-third of its members retire every second year.Analysis o
- It allows urgent business to be conducted even when the Lok Sabha is dissolved. is Correct: The primary constitutional advantage of the Rajya Sabha being a permanent House is legislative continuity. During periods when the Lok Sabha is dissolved (e.g., before a general election) or has not yet been constituted, the Rajya Sabha remains in existence. This allows for the discharge of urgent constitutional functions, specifically the approval of a Proclamation of Emergency (National, State, or Financial) under Articles 352, 356, and 360, which must be ratified by Parliament within specific timeframes.
- It ensures that senior politicians always have a seat in Parliament. is Incorrect: While the Rajya Sabha often accommodates experienced politicians and experts, this is a functional outcome of its composition and indirect election method, not the specific constitutional advantage of its status as a "permanent House."
- It reduces the cost of conducting frequent nationwide elections. is Incorrect: The permanence of the House does not inherently reduce election costs. Elections for the Rajya Sabha are held biennially (every two years) for one-third of the seats, involving distinct administrative processes.
- It prevents the domination of any single political party in the Parliament. is Incorrect: While the Rajya Sabha acts as a revising chamber and a federal check on the Lok Sabha, preventing the domination of a single party is a function of the bicameral structure and political dynamics, not specifically a result of the House being "permanent."
Key Takeaway:
The permanent nature of the Rajya Sabha ensures that there is no legislative vacuum at the Union level, enabling the ratification of urgent proclamations (such as Emergencies) even when the Lok Sabha stands dissolved.