Rajya Sabha Practice Questions
20 free Rajya Sabha practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
What is the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha as fixed by the Constitution of India?
- A 245
- B 250
- C 262
- D 300
Correct answer: 250
Article 80 of the Constitution specifies the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha as 250. This consists of 238 representatives of the States and Union Territories and 12 members nominated by the President.
Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution deals with the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the States and Union Territories?
- A 3rd Schedule
- B 4th Schedule
- C 5th Schedule
- D 6th Schedule
Correct answer: 4th Schedule
The Fourth Schedule provides for the allocation of seats in the Rajya Sabha to the various States and Union Territories. The allocation is primarily based on the population of each State.
How many members are nominated by the President to the Rajya Sabha for their special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service?
- A 2
- B 10
- C 12
- D 15
Correct answer: 12
Under Article 80, the President nominates 12 members to the Rajya Sabha. These individuals are chosen from people having special knowledge or practical experience in the fields of Literature, Science, Art, and Social Service.
The representatives of the States in the Rajya Sabha are elected by which of the following?
- A Direct election by the people of the State
- B Elected members of the State Legislative Assembly
- C All members of the State Legislative Assembly and Council
- D The Governor of the respective State
Correct answer: Elected members of the State Legislative Assembly
Members of the Rajya Sabha representing States are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies. This is done through the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
What is the term of a member of the Rajya Sabha?
- A 5 years
- B 6 years
- C Permanent
- D 4 years
Correct answer: 6 years
While the Rajya Sabha itself is a permanent body and not subject to dissolution, its individual members are elected for a term of 6 years. One-third of the members retire every second year.
Which of the following describes the Rajya Sabha as a 'Permanent Body'?
- A Its members cannot resign
- B It cannot be dissolved by the President
- C It meets continuously throughout the year
- D Its Chairman is the Vice-President
Correct answer: It cannot be dissolved by the President
The Rajya Sabha is a permanent chamber and is not subject to dissolution. This ensures continuity in the legislative process even when the Lok Sabha is dissolved.
To be eligible for election to the Rajya Sabha, a person must be a citizen of India and not less than how many years of age?
- A 25 years
- B 30 years
- C 35 years
- D 21 years
Correct answer: 30 years
According to Article 84, the minimum age requirement for a person to be a member of the Rajya Sabha is 30 years. In contrast, the minimum age for the Lok Sabha is 25 years.
Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
- A The President of India
- B The Vice-President of India
- C The Prime Minister of India
- D A member elected by the Rajya Sabha
Correct answer: The Vice-President of India
Under Article 64, the Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. He presides over its sittings and performs functions similar to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha.
Under Article 249, the Rajya Sabha can authorize the Parliament to make laws on a subject in the State List if it passes a resolution by:
- A A simple majority of the total membership
- B Two-thirds of members present and voting
- C Absolute majority of the House
- D Unanimous consent of all members present
Correct answer: Two-thirds of members present and voting
Article 249 gives the Rajya Sabha a special power to declare that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest for Parliament to make laws with respect to a matter in the State List. This requires a resolution supported by two-thirds of the members present and voting.
With regard to Money Bills, what is the maximum duration for which the Rajya Sabha can delay the bill?
- A Fourteen days
- B Thirty days
- C Six months
- D Rajya Sabha has no delay power
Correct answer: Fourteen days
A Money Bill can only be introduced in the Lok Sabha. After it is passed and sent to the Rajya Sabha, the latter must return the bill within 14 days, with or without recommendations.
Which Article of the Constitution empowers the Rajya Sabha to create one or more All-India Services common to the Union and the States?
- A Article 300
- B Article 312
- C Article 320
- D Article 352
Correct answer: Article 312
Under Article 312, if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting, Parliament may by law provide for the creation of one or more All-India Services.
How is the Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha chosen?
- A Appointed by the President
- B Nominated by the Chairman
- C Elected by members of Rajya Sabha
- D He is the senior-most member of the House
Correct answer: Elected by members of Rajya Sabha
The Deputy Chairman is elected by the Rajya Sabha from among its own members. He performs the duties of the Chairman when the office is vacant or when the Vice-President acts as President.
Which of the following Union Territories are currently represented in the Rajya Sabha?
- A Puducherry and Lakshadweep
- B All Union Territories have representation
- C Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir
- D Delhi and Chandigarh
Correct answer: Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir
Only those Union Territories that have their own Legislative Assemblies are represented in the Rajya Sabha. Currently, these include Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir.
What happens if a resolution for the removal of the Vice-President is passed by the Rajya Sabha?
- A The Vice-President is removed immediately
- B The Supreme Court must ratify it
- C The President must issue an executive order
- D It must be agreed to by the Lok Sabha
Correct answer: It must be agreed to by the Lok Sabha
A resolution for the removal of the Vice-President must be passed by a majority of all the then members of the Rajya Sabha (effective majority) and agreed to by the Lok Sabha (simple majority).
The quorum to constitute a meeting of the Rajya Sabha is:
- A One-third of the total number of members
- B One-fifth of the total number of members
- C One-sixth of the total number of members
- D One-tenth of the total number of members
Correct answer: One-tenth of the total number of members
Like the Lok Sabha, the quorum for the Rajya Sabha is one-tenth of the total number of members of the House. Given a strength of 245, the quorum is 25 members.
Which of the following statements regarding the powers of the Rajya Sabha is INCORRECT?
- A It participates in the impeachment of the President
- B It cannot vote on the Demands for Grants
- C It can exercise the power of judicial review
- D It can introduce Ordinary Bills
Correct answer: It can exercise the power of judicial review
Judicial review is a power of the Judiciary, not the Legislature. The Rajya Sabha has equal powers with the Lok Sabha in Ordinary Bills and impeachment, but it has limited powers in financial matters like Demands for Grants.
In the case of a deadlock between the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha over an Ordinary Bill, the dispute is resolved by:
- A The President of India
- B The Supreme Court of India
- C The Prime Minister of India
- D Joint Sitting of Parliament
Correct answer: Joint Sitting of Parliament
Under Article 108, the President can summon a Joint Sitting of both Houses to resolve a deadlock over the passage of an Ordinary Bill. This provision does not apply to Money Bills or Constitutional Amendment Bills.
The 'Panel of Vice-Chairmen' in the Rajya Sabha is nominated by whom?
- A The President
- B The Leader of the House
- C The Committee on Privileges
- D The Rajya Sabha Chairman
Correct answer: The Rajya Sabha Chairman
Under the Rules of Rajya Sabha, the Chairman nominates from among the members a panel of vice-chairmen. Any one of them can preside over the House in the absence of the Chairman and the Deputy Chairman.
What is the maximum number of members that can represent Union Territories in the Rajya Sabha as per the Constitution?
- A 8
- B 12
- C 4
- D 20
Correct answer: 8
As per the current allocation and constitutional framework, the maximum number of representatives for Union Territories is 8. The remaining 230 seats out of the 238 elected seats are for the States.
Which of the following is a unique power of the Rajya Sabha that the Lok Sabha does not possess?
- A Amending the Constitution
- B Approval of Proclamations of Emergency
- C Initiating Vice-Presidential removal
- D Passing a No-Confidence Motion
Correct answer: Initiating Vice-Presidential removal
A resolution for the removal of the Vice-President (who is the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha) can only be initiated in the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha cannot initiate this process but must agree to the resolution.