Who among the following was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President of India as the 12th member in the year 2024?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — C, Sudha Murty. On 8 March 2024 (International Women's Day), President Droupadi Murmu nominated the author-philanthropist Sudha Murty to the Rajya Sabha under Article 80(1)(a), which lets the President nominate up to 12 persons with special knowledge/experience in Literature, Science, Art and Social Service. Her nomination filled the House's 12th and last vacant nominated seat, completing the full quota of 12 nominated members.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) This refers to Ghulam Ali Khatana, a J&K Gujjar-community BJP leader and engineer nominated to the Rajya Sabha in September 2022 — a different person from the Pakistani ghazal singer of the same name, and nominated two years before Sudha Murty, not as the 2024 12th member.  (b) The acclaimed Tamil film composer was nominated to the Rajya Sabha on 6-7 July 2022, along with P.T. Usha and others — two years before Sudha Murty's March 2024 nomination.  (d) The Chandigarh University chancellor was indeed nominated to the Rajya Sabha in 2024, but earlier — on 30 January 2024, ahead of Sudha Murty's 8 March 2024 nomination, which is the one that completed the last (12th) vacant seat.

Concept: Article 80(1)(a) empowers the President to nominate up to 12 members to the Rajya Sabha, drawn from persons with special knowledge or practical experience in Literature, Science, Art and Social Service. These nominated members serve full terms like elected members but represent no constituency or party at the time of nomination.

State PCS 2024 Q82 — Current Affairs & Sports PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2024 Q82 — Current Affairs & Sports PYQ with Answer