President Droupadi Murmu nominated former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case Ujjwal Nikam, Kerala BJP leader C. Sadanandan Master and Delhi-based historian Meenakshi Jain to the Rajya Sabha.

Nominated Members of Rajya Sabha

1. Article 80(3):

   • President nominates 12 members to Rajya Sabha.
   • Eligibility: Special knowledge/expertise in Literature, Science, Art, Social Service

2. Nomination Process:

   • Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) handles nominations under Allocation of Business Rules, 1961.
   • MHA notifies appointments after Presidential approval.

Key Numbers:

• Total RS strength: 245 (233 elected + 12 nominated).

• Nominated members cannot vote in Presidential elections (Art. 55).

• Related Case:

  • Ram Gopal Singh Sisodia vs. Union of India (2012): Delhi HC upheld Sachin Tendulkar’s nomination, affirming "special knowledge" includes national icons beyond traditional fields.