The Government of India Act, 1919 for the first time provided for a bicameral Central Legislature, which was inaugurated in 1921 and consisted of the Governor-General and two Houses, namely, the Council of State and the Legislative Assembly. The Legislative Assembly was later renamed as the House of Assembly under the Government of India Act, 1935. The bicameral arrangement continued till 1947.

After much debate in the Constituent Assembly, which met from 1946 to 1950, the founding fathers decided for a bicameral Central Legislature. In the Council of States, which was named Rajya Sabha in Hindi in 1954 all the States are not represented equally. The Union territories of Delhi and Pondicherry are also represented in Rajya Sabha. Twelve persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such matters as literature, science, art and social service are nominated by the President to Rajya Sabha. The minimum age limit for being a member of Rajya Sabha is thirty years. The vice-President of lndia is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha.

As a constituent of Parliament, both in terms of volume and content of legislation and the time devoted to the transaction of business, Rajya Sabha has effectively discharged its role mandated by the Constitution. Rajya Sabha has limited power in financial matters but the role assigned to it in this regard is by no means less important.

Apart from legislation, the other important function of Parliament is to focus attention on matters of public importance, influencing policies of the Government and to provide a forum for ventilation of public grievances. This responsibility is discharged by Rajya Sabha through various time-tested procedural mechanisms and by adopting new procedural devices.

As an embodiment of the federal principle, under the provisions of the Constitution, if Rajya Sabha adopts a resolution by a majority of not less than two­ thirds of the members present and voting, stating that it is necessary or expedient in the national interest that Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List specified in the resolution, Parliament assumes power to make laws for the whole or any part of the territory of lndia in respect of that subject. Rajya Sabha has similarly been assigned a special role in the national interest to enable Parliament to create by law one or more All-India Services common to both the Union and the States.

The Committee System in Rajya Sabha was also revamped to cope with emerging challenges, the latest addition to which have been the seventeen Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committees out of which six function under the direction and control of the Chairman, Rajya Sabha.

During the 199 Sessions that Rajya Sabha held so far, this House of Parliament has played a constructive and effective role. Its performance in the legislative field and in influencing the Government policies has been quite significant. Rajya Sabha has worked  for the unity and integrity of the nation and has reinforced the faith of the people in democracy.

The Department of Posts Commemorates the 200th session of the Rajya Sabha with this issue.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India