President Droupadi Murmu on Sunday, July 13, nominated four distinguished individuals to the Rajya Sabha. The appointments were made under the powers granted by clause (3) of Article 80(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, which allows the President to nominate members with special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.
The nominations come following vacancies left by the retirement of previously nominated members. The Ministry of Home Affairs released the official notification announcing the new members.
Here are the four newly nominated Rajya Sabha members:
Harsh Vardhan Shringla
A seasoned diplomat and former Foreign Secretary of India, Shringla has served as India’s ambassador to the United States, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Most recently, he played a pivotal role as the Chief Coordinator of India’s G20 Presidency.Dr Meenakshi Jain
A prominent historian and academic, Dr Jain has authored several notable works that delve into India’s civilizational and religious heritage. Her recent book, Vishwanath Rises and Rises: The Story of Eternal Kashi (2024), explores the rich history and resilience of Varanasi.Ujjwal Deorao Nikam
A well-known public prosecutor, Nikam has handled some of India’s most high-profile criminal cases, including serving as the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack trials. He is also affiliated with the BJP.C. Sadanandan Master
An educationist and senior social worker from Kerala, Sadanandan is known for his long-standing contributions to community service and education. A teacher from Thrissur, he also survived a politically motivated attack in the 1990s. He is associated with the Bharatiya Vichara Kendram, an organization engaged in ideological and cultural work in Kerala.
