President Droupadi Murmu, on July 12, 2025, nominated four distinguished individuals to the Rajya Sabha under Article 80 of the Constitution. This move fills the vacancies that had remained unoccupied for the past year.
Key Highlights
List of Nominated Members
The four individuals nominated by the President are:
Ujjwal Devrao Nikam – Renowned public prosecutor, famous for handling the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case against Ajmal Kasab.
C. Sadanandan Master – Senior social worker and teacher from Kerala, who lost both legs in political violence in 1994.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla – Former Foreign Secretary of India, served as Ambassador to the USA and High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
Dr. Meenakshi Jain – Eminent historian and academic, former faculty at Gargi College, University of Delhi.
Nomination under Article 80 of the Constitution
According to Article 80 of the Indian Constitution, the President can nominate 12 individuals to the Rajya Sabha. These individuals must have special knowledge or practical experience in:
Literature
Science
Art
Social Service
Current Structure of Rajya Sabha
Maximum Members: 250
Nominated Members: 12 (by the President)
Elected Members: 238 (from States and Union Territories)
Current Strength: 245 members
Detailed Profiles of Nominated Members
Ujjwal Nikam
Ujjwal Nikam, 72, is a celebrated lawyer who has served as a public prosecutor in several high-profile terror and murder cases. Key cases include:
1993 Mumbai Bomb Blasts
26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack – Instrumental in securing the death penalty for Ajmal Kasab
Gulshan Kumar Murder Case
Pramod Mahajan Murder Case
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from Mumbai North Central as a BJP candidate but lost.
C. Sadanandan Master
C. Sadanandan Master is a teacher and social worker from Kannur, Kerala. His life is a symbol of courage and resilience:
1994 Political Attack: On 25 January 1994, both his legs were amputated in an attack allegedly by CPM workers.
Teaching: Has been teaching Social Science at Sri Durga Vilasam Higher Secondary School since 1999.
Political Activity: Contested the Koothuparamba assembly seat in 2016 and 2021.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla
Harsh Vardhan Shringla is a 1984-batch Indian Foreign Service officer. Key positions held:
Foreign Secretary (January 2020 – April 2022)
Ambassador to the USA – During the 'Howdy Modi' event
High Commissioner to Bangladesh
Ambassador to Thailand
Chief Coordinator for G-20 Summit (2023)
Dr. Meenakshi Jain
Dr. Meenakshi Jain is a renowned historian and academic. Her contributions include:
Academics: Associate Professor of History at Gargi College, University of Delhi
Books: Authored 'Rama and Ayodhya', 'Sati: Evangelicals, Baptist Missionaries, and the Changing Colonial Discourse', 'The Battle for Rama', etc.
Honours: Awarded Padma Shri in 2020
NCERT Textbook: Authored the NCERT book on Medieval India
Prime Minister’s Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all four nominees and praised their contributions. He stated that these nominations would bring diverse perspectives and expertise to Parliament.
In the Prime Minister’s Words:
Ujjwal Nikam: “His dedication to the legal field and the Constitution is exemplary.”
Sadanandan Master: “His life is a symbol of courage and standing up to injustice.”
Harsh Vardhan Shringla: “Outstanding contribution in the field of diplomacy.”
Dr. Meenakshi Jain: “Significant work in education and history.”
Rights of Nominated Members in Rajya Sabha
Nominated members in Rajya Sabha enjoy the following rights and privileges:
Key Rights:
Monthly Salary: ₹1.24 lakh (as of 2025)
All Parliamentary Rights: Same as elected members
Tenure: 6 years
Political Party: Can join any party within 6 months
Limitations:
Presidential Election: No voting rights
Vice-Presidential Election: Can vote
Council of Ministers: No nominated member has ever become a minister
Historical Context
Since 1952, several eminent personalities have been nominated to Rajya Sabha, including scientists, artists, writers, and social activists.
Recent Nominations:
Sudha Murty (March 2024) – Social service and education
Ilaiyaraaja (July 2022) – Music
P.T. Usha (July 2022) – Sports
V. Vijayendra Prasad (July 2022) – Film direction
National Significance
These nominations are nationally significant for the following reasons:
Parliamentary Strengthening:
Diverse Expertise: From law, diplomacy, history, and social service
Quality Deliberations: Expert perspectives in policymaking
National Unity: Representation from various states
Democratic Values:
Merit-based Selection: Chosen for merit, not political reasons
Spirit of the Constitution: Fulfilling the intent of Article 80
National Service: Recognition of lifelong service
Rajya Sabha Election Process
The process for election and nomination to Rajya Sabha is as follows:
Elected Members:
Election Process: By elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
Voting System: Proportional representation by single transferable vote
Seat Allocation: Based on the state’s population
Nominated Members:
Presidential Power: Under Article 80 of the Constitution
Selection Criteria: Special knowledge and practical experience
Government Recommendation: On the advice of the central government
Contemporary Relevance
This nomination holds special significance in the election year of 2025:
Political Message:
Judicial System: Ujjwal Nikam’s nomination reflects commitment to judicial reforms
Social Justice: Sadanandan Master’s nomination sends a strong message against political violence
Foreign Policy: Shringla’s nomination highlights India’s growing diplomatic role
Cultural Identity: Dr. Jain’s nomination reflects pride in Indian history and culture
Parliamentary Functioning:
Expert Advice: Technical and subject-matter expertise in policymaking
Quality Debates: Enriched discussions due to diverse experiences
National Interest: Focus on national issues above party politics
The Road Ahead
Expectations from these nominations:
Immediate Impact:
Parliamentary Session: Active participation in the upcoming Monsoon Session
Legal Issues: Ujjwal Nikam’s input on judicial reforms
Foreign Policy: Shringla’s contribution to international affairs
Long-term Contribution:
Institutional Strengthening: Preservation of parliamentary traditions and values
Policy Formulation: Expert-based policy suggestions
National Unity: Promotion of unity in diversity
Why this matters for your exam preparation
This current event is extremely important for UPSC and other competitive exams:
Constitutional Importance:
Article 80: Understanding the structure and nomination process of Rajya Sabha is essential
Federal Structure: Role of Rajya Sabha in Centre-State relations
Democratic Values: Importance of merit and expertise in the nomination process
Personalities and Leadership:
Ujjwal Nikam: Contributions to judicial reforms and anti-terrorism efforts
Sadanandan Master: Struggle against political violence and contributions to education
Harsh Vardhan Shringla: Role in Indian diplomacy and international relations
Dr. Meenakshi Jain: Contributions to Indian history and cultural studies
Contemporary Relevance:
Political Developments: Understanding parliamentary processes in the 2025 election year
Social Justice: Representation from diverse backgrounds
National Unity: Importance of representation from all fields
This nomination is a significant step towards strengthening Indian democracy and enhancing the quality of parliamentary processes. For competitive exam aspirants, it is highly relevant for topics related to the Constitution, Indian Polity, and Current Affairs.
For more updates and detailed analysis, visit Atharva Examwise Current Affairs.
President Droupadi Murmu, on July 12, 2025, nominated four distinguished individuals to the Rajya Sabha under Article 80 of the Constitution. This move fills the vacancies that had remained unoccupied for the past year.
Key Highlights
List of Nominated Members
The four individuals nominated by the President are:
Ujjwal Devrao Nikam – Renowned public prosecutor, famous for handling the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack case against Ajmal Kasab.
C. Sadanandan Master – Senior social worker and teacher from Kerala, who lost both legs in political violence in 1994.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla – Former Foreign Secretary of India, served as Ambassador to the USA and High Commissioner to Bangladesh.
Dr. Meenakshi Jain – Eminent historian and academic, former faculty at Gargi College, University of Delhi.
Nomination under Article 80 of the Constitution
According to Article 80 of the Indian Constitution, the President can nominate 12 individuals to the Rajya Sabha. These individuals must have special knowledge or practical experience in:
Literature
Science
Art
Social Service
Current Structure of Rajya Sabha
Maximum Members: 250
Nominated Members: 12 (by the President)
Elected Members: 238 (from States and Union Territories)
Current Strength: 245 members
Detailed Profiles of Nominated Members
Ujjwal Nikam
Ujjwal Nikam, 72, is a celebrated lawyer who has served as a public prosecutor in several high-profile terror and murder cases. Key cases include:
1993 Mumbai Bomb Blasts
26/11 Mumbai Terror Attack – Instrumental in securing the death penalty for Ajmal Kasab
Gulshan Kumar Murder Case
Pramod Mahajan Murder Case
He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2016. In the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from Mumbai North Central as a BJP candidate but lost.
C. Sadanandan Master
C. Sadanandan Master is a teacher and social worker from Kannur, Kerala. His life is a symbol of courage and resilience:
1994 Political Attack: On 25 January 1994, both his legs were amputated in an attack allegedly by CPM workers.
Teaching: Has been teaching Social Science at Sri Durga Vilasam Higher Secondary School since 1999.
Political Activity: Contested the Koothuparamba assembly seat in 2016 and 2021.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla
Harsh Vardhan Shringla is a 1984-batch Indian Foreign Service officer. Key positions held:
Foreign Secretary (January 2020 – April 2022)
Ambassador to the USA – During the 'Howdy Modi' event
High Commissioner to Bangladesh
Ambassador to Thailand
Chief Coordinator for G-20 Summit (2023)
Dr. Meenakshi Jain
Dr. Meenakshi Jain is a renowned historian and academic. Her contributions include:
Academics: Associate Professor of History at Gargi College, University of Delhi
Books: Authored 'Rama and Ayodhya', 'Sati: Evangelicals, Baptist Missionaries, and the Changing Colonial Discourse', 'The Battle for Rama', etc.
Honours: Awarded Padma Shri in 2020
NCERT Textbook: Authored the NCERT book on Medieval India
Prime Minister’s Response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all four nominees and praised their contributions. He stated that these nominations would bring diverse perspectives and expertise to Parliament.
In the Prime Minister’s Words:
Ujjwal Nikam: “His dedication to the legal field and the Constitution is exemplary.”
Sadanandan Master: “His life is a symbol of courage and standing up to injustice.”
Harsh Vardhan Shringla: “Outstanding contribution in the field of diplomacy.”
Dr. Meenakshi Jain: “Significant work in education and history.”
Rights of Nominated Members in Rajya Sabha
Nominated members in Rajya Sabha enjoy the following rights and privileges:
Key Rights:
Monthly Salary: ₹1.24 lakh (as of 2025)
All Parliamentary Rights: Same as elected members
Tenure: 6 years
Political Party: Can join any party within 6 months
Limitations:
Presidential Election: No voting rights
Vice-Presidential Election: Can vote
Council of Ministers: No nominated member has ever become a minister
Historical Context
Since 1952, several eminent personalities have been nominated to Rajya Sabha, including scientists, artists, writers, and social activists.
Recent Nominations:
Sudha Murty (March 2024) – Social service and education
Ilaiyaraaja (July 2022) – Music
P.T. Usha (July 2022) – Sports
V. Vijayendra Prasad (July 2022) – Film direction
National Significance
These nominations are nationally significant for the following reasons:
Parliamentary Strengthening:
Diverse Expertise: From law, diplomacy, history, and social service
Quality Deliberations: Expert perspectives in policymaking
National Unity: Representation from various states
Democratic Values:
Merit-based Selection: Chosen for merit, not political reasons
Spirit of the Constitution: Fulfilling the intent of Article 80
National Service: Recognition of lifelong service
Rajya Sabha Election Process
The process for election and nomination to Rajya Sabha is as follows:
Elected Members:
Election Process: By elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
Voting System: Proportional representation by single transferable vote
Seat Allocation: Based on the state’s population
Nominated Members:
Presidential Power: Under Article 80 of the Constitution
Selection Criteria: Special knowledge and practical experience
Government Recommendation: On the advice of the central government
Contemporary Relevance
This nomination holds special significance in the election year of 2025:
Political Message:
Judicial System: Ujjwal Nikam’s nomination reflects commitment to judicial reforms
Social Justice: Sadanandan Master’s nomination sends a strong message against political violence
Foreign Policy: Shringla’s nomination highlights India’s growing diplomatic role
Cultural Identity: Dr. Jain’s nomination reflects pride in Indian history and culture
Parliamentary Functioning:
Expert Advice: Technical and subject-matter expertise in policymaking
Quality Debates: Enriched discussions due to diverse experiences
National Interest: Focus on national issues above party politics
The Road Ahead
Expectations from these nominations:
Immediate Impact:
Parliamentary Session: Active participation in the upcoming Monsoon Session
Legal Issues: Ujjwal Nikam’s input on judicial reforms
Foreign Policy: Shringla’s contribution to international affairs
Long-term Contribution:
Institutional Strengthening: Preservation of parliamentary traditions and values
Policy Formulation: Expert-based policy suggestions
National Unity: Promotion of unity in diversity
Why this matters for your exam preparation
This current event is extremely important for UPSC and other competitive exams:
Constitutional Importance:
Article 80: Understanding the structure and nomination process of Rajya Sabha is essential
Federal Structure: Role of Rajya Sabha in Centre-State relations
Democratic Values: Importance of merit and expertise in the nomination process
Personalities and Leadership:
Ujjwal Nikam: Contributions to judicial reforms and anti-terrorism efforts
Sadanandan Master: Struggle against political violence and contributions to education
Harsh Vardhan Shringla: Role in Indian diplomacy and international relations
Dr. Meenakshi Jain: Contributions to Indian history and cultural studies
Contemporary Relevance:
Political Developments: Understanding parliamentary processes in the 2025 election year
Social Justice: Representation from diverse backgrounds
National Unity: Importance of representation from all fields
This nomination is a significant step towards strengthening Indian democracy and enhancing the quality of parliamentary processes. For competitive exam aspirants, it is highly relevant for topics related to the Constitution, Indian Polity, and Current Affairs.
