Question

Every second-year __________ of the members of Rajya sabha retires.
A. 1/3
B. 2/3
C. 1/6
D. 2/6

Answer 1

Hint: Under the constitution, the parliament of India consists of three parts, the president and the council of states, and the house of the people. The council of states (Rajya sabha) is the Upper house (Second chamber or house of elders) of our parliament. The presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha is known as the chairman. The ex-officio chairman of the Rajya sabha is the vice president of India.

Complete answer:
The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is fixed at 250, at present, the actual strength of Rajya Sabha is 245, out of which 229 members represent the states and union territories (elected indirectly), 4 members represent the union territories and 12 members are nominated by the president from amongst the persons having special knowledge and practical experience of such matters as literature, science, art, and social service. The normal life of every Lok Sabha is 5 years only, while Rajya Sabha is a permanent body. The Rajya Sabha(constituted in 1952) is a continuing chamber, i.e., it is a permanent body and not subject to this solution. However, one-third of its members retire every second year. Their seats are filled up by fresh elections and presidential nominations at the beginning of every third year. The retiring members are eligible for reelection and denominations any number of times.

Thus option (A) is the answer.

Note: The constitution has not fixed the term of office of members of the Rajya sabha and left it to the parliament accordingly, the parliament within the representation of the people act(1951) as long as the term of office of a member of the Rajya sabha shall be six years. In the first batch, it had been decided by a lottery on who should retire. Further, the Act also authorized the president to form provisions to control the order of retirement of the members of the Rajya sabha.