Question

The Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is:
A.Elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha
B.Nominated by the President
C.Elected by members of both houses of Parliament
D.Elected by Parliament and State Legislatures jointly

Answer 1

Hint: The upper house of the Parliament is known as the Rajya Sabha or the Council of States. The members of Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the legislative assemblies of the respective states under proportional representation. Each member is elected for a term of six years and a third of the members retire every two years. The Rajya Sabha has a total of 250 members, 238 elected members and 12 members nominated by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.

Complete step by step solution:
Option A: is incorrect. The Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha is elected by the members of the Rajya Sabha. The Deputy Chairman performs the functions of the Chairman if there is a vacancy in the office of the Chairman or when the Vice-President (Chairman of the Rajya Sabha) is discharging the duties of the President.
Option B: is also incorrect. The President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha who have distinguished themselves in the field of art, science, sports, literature and social service. However, this does not include the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Option C: is correct. The Vice-President of India functions as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha and presides over all the meetings and other businesses of the Upper House. The Vice-President is elected by members of both the Houses of Parliament as stated in Article 66 of the Constitution.
Option D: is incorrect. The President of India is elected jointly by the elected members of both the Houses of the Parliament and elected members of the legislative assemblies of the states.

Note: The Indian legislative system is a bicameral one which means that there are two houses at the centre responsible for making laws and other deliberative functions—the Lok Sabha or the House of People and the Rajya Sabha or the Council of States.