Previous Year Question
Match the List I with List II and select the correct answer from the code given below:
List I (States) | List II (No. of members in Rajya Sabha) |
(A) Gujarat | (1) 9 |
(B) Karnataka | (2) 11 |
(C) Kerala | (3) 12 |
(D) Odisha | (4) 10 |
Codes:
A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2
A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1
A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4
A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
Under Article 80(2) of the Indian Constitution, the allocation of Rajya Sabha seats to representatives of the States and Union Territories is made according to the Fourth Schedule. For these four States, the allocation is—Gujarat 11, Karnataka 12, Kerala 9 and Odisha 10 seats. The current official Rajya Sabha information also shows the same figures.
Therefore:
Gujarat → 11 → (2)
Karnataka → 12 → (3)
Kerala → 9 → (1)
Odisha → 10 → (4)
All States do not have equal representation in the Rajya Sabha. Their representation varies broadly according to population; hence, unlike the U.S. Senate, every State does not receive an equal number of seats.
Under Article 80, the constitutional maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is 250—up to 238 representatives of States/Union Territories and 12 members nominated by the President. Its present prescribed strength is 245, comprising 233 elected and 12 nominated members.