Previous Year Question

The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House and is not subject to dissolution. Under Article 83(1) of the Constitution, the Rajya Sabha shall not be dissolved, and approximately one-third of its members retire every second year.

The normal term of office of a Rajya Sabha member is 6 years. This is expressly provided under Section 154(1) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which states that, except for a member chosen to fill a casual vacancy, the term of office of a member of the Council of States is six years.

Since approximately one-third of the members retire every two years, the Rajya Sabha undergoes periodic partial renewal while the House itself continues permanently.

Important fact: If a member is elected to fill a casual vacancy, that member does not receive a fresh six-year term. The member serves only for the remainder of the predecessor's term. This rule is also contained in Section 154 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.

Remember:
Rajya Sabha = Permanent House
Normal term of a member = 6 years
Every 2 years = Approximately 1/3 members retire