Question

The post of Chairman of Rajya Sabha is held by____________.
A. President
B. Prime Minister
C. Vice President
D. Home Minister

Answer 1

Hint: The legislative powers of the Union have been vested in the Parliament which consists of the Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. The Rajya Sabha is the upper house and the Lok Sabha is the lower house of the Union Parliament.

Complete answer: The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha, according to the Constitution has been put at 250 members, out of which 12 members are nominated by the President, which shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in literature, art, science and social service. The remaining members represent the States and the Union Territories. The representatives of the States are elected by the elected members of their Legislative Assemblies in accordance with the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. The method of election is accordingly indirect. With regard to the Union Territories members are chosen in such a manner as Parliament may by law determine.
Similar to that of the Vice-President of the U.S.A. the Indian Vice-President is also the ex-officio Chairman of the Upper House of the Parliament. He is not a member of the Parliament and is elected by the members of the Parliament.
Now let us examine the options:
Option A – The President of India has no such right to hold the post of Chairman of the Upper House of the Parliament, i.e., the Rajya Sabha.
Option B – The Prime Minister of India has no such right to hold the post of Chairman of the Upper House of the Parliament, i.e., the Rajya Sabha.
Option C – Vice-President is the ex-officio chairman of the Rajya Sabha and thus holds the post of Chairman in the Upper House of the Parliament.
Option D – The Home Minister has no such right to hold the post of Chairman of the Upper House of the Parliament, i.e., the Rajya Sabha. He is a member of the Union Cabinet, which is the supreme decision-making body in India.

Note: The Rajya Sabha elects a Deputy Chairman from among its own members and he presides in the absence of the Chairman or during the period when Vice-President is discharging the function of the President.