Consider the following statements:
- Statement I: The Rajya Sabha is not subject to dissolution and the members enjoy a tenure of six years
- Statement II: According to Article 83 of the Constitution of India, one third of members of Rajya Sabha retire every two years
Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
Statement I is true but Statement II is false
Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Answer is Right!
Answer is Wrong!
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2014
– Statement II is true. Article 83(1) of the Constitution states that the Rajya Sabha shall not be subject to dissolution and that “as nearly as may be, one-third of the members thereof shall retire as soon as may be on the expiration of every second year”.
– Statement II explains how the Rajya Sabha maintains its permanent character despite having members with fixed tenures. The system of one-third of members retiring every two years ensures a continuous body with staggered terms, preventing the dissolution of the entire house at once, as is the case with the Lok Sabha. Thus, the rotational retirement mechanism is the basis for the Rajya Sabha’s permanence mentioned in Statement I.
– The Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.