Article 80
Composition and Election to the Rajya Sabha
Article 80 of the Constitution specifies the composition of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) — India's upper house of Parliament. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent house: it is never dissolved, but one-third of its members retire every two years, necessitating regular biennial elections.
- Article 80(1): Rajya Sabha shall consist of (a) 12 members nominated by the President, and (b) not more than 238 representatives of states and Union territories.
- Current strength: 245 members (12 nominated + 233 elected from states/UTs).
- Article 80(4): Representatives of each state in Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the state's Legislative Assembly.
- Proportional representation by Single Transferable Vote (STV): Each MLA marks preferences (1, 2, 3...) on the ballot; a quota (minimum votes needed to win) is calculated; if no candidate meets quota with first preferences, the candidate with fewest votes is eliminated and their votes redistributed.
- Article 83(1): Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution; one-third of members retire every second year.
- Biennial elections: Held to fill the seats of retiring members — voters are the elected MLAs of the state legislative assembly, not the general public.
- Sixth Schedule states and Union Territories: Different provisions apply for representation.
● Tracked since February 18, 2026 · last seen April 17, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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