Question

The maximum strength of Rajya Sabha is ____________.
A.240
B.250
C.260
D.270

Answer 1

Hint:The Upper House of the Bicameral Parliament of India is the Rajya Sabha, or Council of States. In constitution, the Rajya Sabha has equivalent standing to the Lok Sabha, except in the case of supply, where the latter has overriding powers.

Complete answer:
According to article 80 of the Indian Constitution, the potential seating power of the Rajya Sabha is 250 (238 elected, 12 appointed). Members sit for six-year staggered terms, with votes every year, but about a third of the 233 are elected every two years, specifically in even-numbered years.
The Rajya Sabha meets in continuous meetings, and the Rajya Sabha, which is the upper house of Parliament, is not subject to dissolution, unlike the Lok Sabha, which is the lower house of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha, like the Lok Sabha, will, however, be expanded by the President.
The Vice-President of India is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha ex-officio, who chairs its meetings. The Vice Chairman, who is chosen from among the members of the Chamber, in the absence of the Chairman, takes charge of the day-to-day affairs of the House. On 13 May 1952, the Rajya Sabha held its first session. The Rajya Sabha meets in the House of Parliament in New Delhi in the eponymous chamber.
Seats are assigned to the population of each state or union territory in a declining proportion, which means that smaller states have a marginal advantage over more populated states. For eg, Tamil Nadu has 18 representatives for 72 million inhabitants (in 2011), whereas Bihar (104 million) and West Bengal (91 million) have only 16. Some states also have more representatives than states more populated than them.

Any minor Union Districts, those without assemblies, can not have representation since the representatives are chosen by the state legislature. Therefore, there are no delegates from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu, Ladakh & Lakshadweep. The President nominates 12 representatives.

Hence, the correct answer is option (B).

Note:On 26 January 1950, according to the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India, the Rajya Sabha was to be composed of 216 members, of which 12 members were to be nominated by the President and 204 were to be chosen to represent the States. However, the actual strength is 245 people, of which 233 are citizens of the States and regions of the Union, and 12 are named by the President. The 12 nominated members of the Rajya Sabha are people who are distinguished in unique fields and who are well known contributors in that field.