Editing Politics of India (section)

=== Rajya Sabha ===
{{main|Rajya Sabha}}
The '''Rajya Sabha''', constitutionally the '''Council of States''', is the [[upper house]] of the [[bicameral]] [[Parliament of India]]. It has a maximum membership of 250, of which 238 are elected by the [[State legislative assemblies of India|legislatures]] of the states and union territories using [[Single transferable vote|single transferable votes]] through open ballots, while the [[President of India|president]] can appoint 12 members for their contributions to art, literature, science, and social service. The total allowed capacity is 250 (238 elected, 12 appointed) according to article 80 of the [[Constitution of India|Indian Constitution]]. The current potential seating capacity of the Rajya Sabha is 245 (233 elected, 12 appointed).

Members sit for [[Staggered elections|staggered terms]] lasting six years, with about a third of the 238 designates up for election every two years, in even-numbered years. Unlike the [[Lok Sabha]], the Rajya Sabha is a continuing chamber and hence not subject to dissolution. However, the Rajya Sabha, like the Lok Sabha, can be [[Prorogation|prorogued]] by the president.

The Rajya Sabha has equal footing in legislation with the Lok Sabha, except in the area of [[Loss of supply|supply]], where the latter has overriding powers. In the case of conflicting legislation, a [[Joint Session of Indian Parliament|joint sitting]] of the two houses can be held, where the Lok Sabha would hold a greater influence because of its larger membership. The [[vice president of India]] is the ''[[ex-officio]]'' chairman of the Rajya Sabha, who presides over its sessions. The [[Deputy Chairman of the Rajya Sabha|deputy chairman]], who is elected from amongst the house's members, takes care of the day-to-day matters of the house in the absence of the chairman.