Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists. List-I (State) : A. Rajasthan B. Gujarat C. Karnataka D. Punjab List-II (Representation in Rajya Sabha) : 1. 10 seats 2. 7 seats 3. 11 seats 4. 12 seats
- (a)A-1 B-3 C-4 D-2
- (b)A-2 B-3 C-4 D-1
- (c)A-1 B-2 C-3 D-4
- (d)A-4 B-3 C-1 D-2
Correct — A, A-1 B-3 C-4 D-2. Rajya Sabha seats are allotted to each State roughly in proportion to its population (Fourth Schedule of the Constitution). Rajasthan has 10 seats, Gujarat 11, Karnataka 12 and Punjab 7. Mapping to List-II: A(Rajasthan)-1(10), B(Gujarat)-3(11), C(Karnataka)-4(12), D(Punjab)-2(7) — which is code (a).
- (b)A-2 B-3 C-4 D-1 — Wrong — this gives Rajasthan 7 seats and Punjab 10 seats, but it is the other way round: Rajasthan has 10 and Punjab 7.
- (c)A-1 B-2 C-3 D-4 — Wrong — this makes Gujarat 7, Karnataka 11 and Punjab 12, none of which is correct (Gujarat 11, Karnataka 12, Punjab 7).
- (d)A-4 B-3 C-1 D-2 — Wrong — this gives Rajasthan 12 and Karnataka 10, but Rajasthan has 10 and Karnataka 12.
The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) has a maximum strength of 250 — up to 238 members representing the States and Union Territories, plus 12 nominated by the President. Seats for each State are fixed in the Fourth Schedule broadly in proportion to population, so more populous States get more seats.
The question is pure recall of the Fourth Schedule allocation. A useful anchor: among these four, Karnataka (12) has the most and Punjab (7) the fewest; Rajasthan (10) and Gujarat (11) sit in between. Getting the two extremes right (Karnataka 12, Punjab 7) fixes the code.
- Rajya Sabha seats: Rajasthan 10, Gujarat 11, Karnataka 12, Punjab 7.
- State seats in the Rajya Sabha are allotted broadly in proportion to population (Fourth Schedule).
- Maximum strength of Rajya Sabha = 250 (238 elected from States/UTs + 12 nominated) — Article 80.
- Members are elected by State Legislative Assemblies through proportional representation by single transferable vote.
Correct code (a): A-1, B-3, C-4, D-2 — seats allotted broadly by population, so Karnataka (12) has most and Punjab (7) fewest.
- Swapping Rajasthan (10) and Punjab (7), or Rajasthan (10) and Karnataka (12)
- Assuming seats are equal for all States (they are population-weighted, unlike the US Senate)
UPSC/UPPSC ask the Rajya Sabha seat count of a State, its maximum strength, or how members are elected — sometimes as a List-I/List-II match.
No directly related past PYQ was found.
- practice — not a real PYQ
Seats in the Rajya Sabha are allotted to the States broadly in proportion to their:
- (a)Geographical area
- (b)Population
- (c)Gross State Domestic Product
- (d)Number of districts
Answer(b) Population — laid down in the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution.
- practice — not a real PYQ
What is the maximum sanctioned strength of the Rajya Sabha under the Constitution?
- (a)238
- (b)250
- (c)245
- (d)552
Answer(b) 250 — up to 238 representing States/UTs plus 12 nominated members (Article 80).