The Constitution of India
Composition of the Council of States
- Jurisdiction
- India
- Provision
- 80
- Source language
- eng+tel
- Recorded status
- in force
More details
- Recorded status
- in force
Provision text
Official sourceof—
(a) twelve members to be nominated by the President in accordance with the
provisions of clause (3); and
(b) not more than two hundred and thirty-eight representatives of the States 3[and
of the Union territories.]
(2) The allocation of seats in the Council of States to be filled by representatives of the
States 3[and of the Union territories] shall be in accordance with the provisions in that behalf
contained in the Fourth Schedule.
(3) The members to be nominated by the President under sub-clause (a) of clause (1)
shall consist of persons having special knowledge or practical experience in respect of such
matters as the following, namely:—
Literature, science, art and social service.
(4) The representatives of each State 4[***] in the Council of States shall be elected by
the elected members of the Legislative Assembly of the State in accordance with the system
of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote.
(5) The representatives of the 5[Union territories] in the Council of States shall be
chosen in such manner as Parliament may by law prescribe.
1. Substituted by the Constitution (Thirty-fifth Amendment) Act, 1974, s.3, for “The Council of States” (w.e.f.1.3.1975).
Source record
Source and verification
The Constitution of India · legislative.gov.in · Retrieved 17 August 2026.
Check the upstream source for currency, amendments, and official formatting. The recorded status describes this source version.
Open upstream source