233 elected, 12 nominated
Explanation
Article 80 of the Constitution of India defines the composition of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). It establishes the upper limit of membership and the division between elected representatives and nominated members.- Maximum Strength: The Constitution provides for a maximum strength of 250 members. This comprises 238 representatives from the States and Union Territories and 12 members nominated by the President.
- Current Strength: The actual strength of the Rajya Sabha is currently 245 members.
- Elected Members (233): These members represent the States and Union Territories (Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir). They are elected indirectly by the elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of the respective States and UTs in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
- Nominated Members (12): These members are nominated by the President of India for their special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as Literature, Science, Art, and Social Service.
Key Takeaway: While the maximum sanctioned strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250, its current effective strength is 245, consisting of 233 elected members and 12 nominated members.