🗞️ Why in News President Droupadi Murmu nominated veteran journalist-parliamentarian Harivansh Narayan Singh to the Rajya Sabha through a Gazette notification on April 10, 2026, filling a nominated seat vacancy created after former Chief Justice of India Ranjan Gogoi retired from his nominated tenure.
The nomination of Harivansh Narayan Singh — a former Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha known for both his journalistic career (Prabhat Khabar) and his steady-handed presiding over Opposition disruptions — brings renewed attention to Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, which empowers the President to nominate twelve members to the Upper House for their expertise in literature, science, art, or social service.
Who is Harivansh Narayan Singh?
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full name | Harivansh Narayan Singh |
| Known as | Harivansh |
| Journalism | Editor, Prabhat Khabar (Hindi daily, Bihar and Jharkhand) |
| Political affiliation | JD(U) → supported NDA |
| Previous RS role | Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha (2018–2022; 2022–2024) |
| Known for | Calm, dignified presiding; “chai session” during farm bill protests (2020) |
The “Chai Session” Episode
In September 2020, eight Opposition MPs were suspended from the Rajya Sabha after disrupting proceedings during the passage of the farm laws. The suspended MPs staged a dharna (sit-in protest) on the Parliament premises, fasting overnight. Deputy Chairman Harivansh personally brought tea (chai) to the fasting MPs the next morning — an act of dignity widely noted as a symbol of parliamentary courtliness amid bitter political acrimony.
Constitutional Framework — Article 80
Article 80(1): Composition of the Council of States
The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) consists of:
- Article 80(1)(a): Twelve members nominated by the President
- Article 80(1)(b): Not more than 238 representatives of States and UTs
Total strength: 245 (233 elected + 12 nominated) Current effective strength: 245 (includes all nominated seats when filled)
Article 80(3): Qualification for Nominated Members
The twelve nominated members must have special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service — making the nominated category a constitutional instrument for bringing non-political expertise into the legislative process.
Who Can Be Nominated?
Any person with special knowledge/experience in:
- Literature: Writers, journalists, poets, scholars
- Science: Scientists, technologists, researchers
- Art: Painters, musicians, filmmakers, dancers
- Social Service: Activists, community leaders, NGO heads
Notable past nominees include:
- Sachin Tendulkar (cricket — arts/sports)
- Lata Mangeshkar (music)
- Sonal Mansingh (classical dance)
- Ranjan Gogoi (former CJI — jurisprudence)
- Mary Kom (boxing)
- Rekha (film — arts)
Can Nominated Members Vote?
| Purpose | Can Nominated RS Members Vote? | What the Constitution Actually Says | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Bills | Yes — full voting rights; treated identically to elected members in all legislative business | Article 107 does not distinguish between elected and nominated members in voting — both Houses must pass the Bill | Article 100 (voting procedure + quorum = 1/10 of total membership), Article 107 |
| Money Bills | Yes, but limited — RS can vote on its recommendations, but Lok Sabha is not bound by them; RS cannot amend or reject a Money Bill | Article 109: “If the Rajya Sabha does not return the Bill within 14 days… it shall be deemed to have been passed by both Houses” — RS’s vote is advisory only | Article 109 |
| Constitutional Amendments | Yes — counted in both conditions of the special majority; their presence or absence directly affects whether the threshold is met | Article 368: Special majority = 2/3 of members present and voting AND majority of total membership of each House — nominated members are part of total membership | Article 368 |
| Vice Presidential Election | Yes — nominated RS members are part of the electoral college; formerly, nominated LS members (Anglo-Indian seats, abolished by 104th Constitutional Amendment, in force January 25, 2020) were also eligible | Article 66(1): Electoral college = “members of both Houses of Parliament” — uses members, not elected members; this includes nominated members of both Houses | Article 66 |
| Presidential Election | No — explicitly excluded by the Constitution’s own language | Article 54: Electoral college = “elected members of both Houses of Parliament” — the word elected expressly excludes nominated members. This is the only place the Constitution draws this distinction | Article 54 |
| Impeachment of President | Yes — both Houses participate; nominated members vote on the resolution | Article 61: Resolution must be passed by majority of not less than 2/3 of the total membership of the House — stricter than Article 368 (which counts only those present and voting) | Article 61 |
| Removal of Vice President | Yes — RS passes the resolution; nominated RS members vote | Article 67(b): VP removable by “a resolution of the Council of States passed by a majority of all the then members” and agreed to by Lok Sabha — no elected qualifier; simple majority of total RS membership suffices | Article 67(b) |
| No-confidence Motion | N/A — the Constitution does not mention “no-confidence motion” by name anywhere | Article 75(3) only says: “The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People” — the motion itself is a procedural instrument under Lok Sabha Rule 198, not a constitutional provision | Article 75(3) + LS Rule 198 |
📌 Exam Key: Where the Constitution says “members” → nominated members included (VP election, impeachment, RS removal). Where it says “elected members” → nominated members excluded (Presidential election). Where it is silent on procedure → the rule lives in parliamentary rules, not the Constitution (no-confidence motion).
The exclusion from Presidential elections is consistent with the principle that the President is elected by an electoral college representing the people’s will — nominated members, who have not been elected, do not represent any electorate.
Rajya Sabha — Key Constitutional Provisions
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 80 | Composition of Rajya Sabha |
| Article 84 | Qualification for RS membership |
| Article 89 | VP of India is ex-officio Chairman of RS |
| Article 90 | Deputy Chairman of RS (elected by RS members) |
| Article 91 | Power of Deputy Chairman to act as Chairman (when Chairman is absent) |
| Article 100 | Voting in Houses; quorum (1/10 of total membership) |
| Article 249 | RS can empower Parliament to legislate on State List (2/3 majority) |
| Article 312 | RS can create new All India Services (2/3 majority) |
Rajya Sabha — Special Powers (Distinguished from Lok Sabha)
The Rajya Sabha has two exclusive powers that no other House possesses:
- Article 249: By 2/3 majority, can authorise Parliament to legislate on a State List subject for national interest (resolution lasts 1 year; renewable)
- Article 312: By 2/3 majority, can pass a resolution creating new All India Services (e.g., Indian Forest Service was created this way in 1966)
These powers make Rajya Sabha constitutionally critical — it cannot be bypassed on matters affecting federalism.
UPSC Relevance
GS2: Parliament — Composition, Powers, Procedures
Key distinctions for Prelims:
- Nominated RS members: 12 (Article 80) — Literature, Science, Art, Social Service
- Nominated LS members: 2 (Anglo-Indian community — but this provision was abolished by 104th Amendment, 2019)
- Nominated RS members CAN vote in VP election but NOT in Presidential election
Mains angles:
- Is the nominated category being used for its constitutional purpose (expertise) or political purposes?
- How does Rajya Sabha’s composition (nominated + indirectly elected) affect its role as a “House of Elders”?
- Rajya Sabha’s federalism role vs its evolution into a partisan chamber
📌 Facts Corner — Knowledgepedia
Harivansh Narayan Singh:
- Former Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha | Journalist: Prabhat Khabar (Hindi daily)
- Nominated under Article 80(1)(a) by President Droupadi Murmu, April 10, 2026
- Vacancy: After former CJI Ranjan Gogoi’s nominated term ended
Article 80 — Rajya Sabha Composition:
- Total strength: 245 (233 elected + 12 nominated)
- Nominated: Experts in Literature, Science, Art, Social Service
- Nominated members CAN vote in RS + VP election | CANNOT vote in Presidential election
Rajya Sabha Exclusive Powers:
- Article 249: Parliament can legislate on State List (2/3 RS majority)
- Article 312: New All India Services can be created (2/3 RS majority)
104th Amendment (2019):
- Abolished nominated Anglo-Indian seats in Lok Sabha (2 seats) and state assemblies
RS Deputy Chairman:
- Article 90: Elected by RS members from among themselves
- Previous Deputy Chairmen: Harivansh (2018–2024), P.J. Kurien (Congress, 2012–2018)
