President nominates Ujjwal Nikam, C. Sadanandan Master, Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Meenakshi Jain to Rajya Sabha
On 12 July 2025, the Union Home Ministry notified the President's nomination of four persons to the Rajya Sabha to fill vacancies caused by the retirement of nominated members.
Summary
President Droupadi Murmu nominated Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, C. Sadanandan Master, Harsh Vardhan Shringla and Dr Meenakshi Jain to the Rajya Sabha, through a Union Home Ministry notification issued in New Delhi late on 12 July 2025, according to The Hindu and The Indian Express. The nominations were made under Article 80(1)(a) read with Article 80(3) to fill vacancies caused by the retirement of nominated members. Nikam is the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case, Shringla is a former Foreign Secretary, Sadanandan Master is a Kerala BJP leader, and Meenakshi Jain is a historian. Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the nominees on 13 July. Under Article 80, the President nominates 12 members with special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service.
Key facts
- Nominees
- Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, C. Sadanandan Master, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Dr Meenakshi Jain
- Notification
- Union Home Ministry, 12 July 2025
- Vacancies
- Caused by retirement of nominated members
- Profiles
- Nikam: Special Public Prosecutor, 26/11 case; Shringla: former Foreign Secretary; Sadanandan Master: Kerala BJP leader; Meenakshi Jain: historian
- Article 80 (static)
- President nominates 12 members (80(1)(a)); fields: literature, science, art and social service (80(3))
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Which former Foreign Secretary was nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President in July 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Harsh Vardhan Shringla
The Hindu and Indian Express: former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla was among the four nominated to the Rajya Sabha (MHA notification, 12 July 2025).
Consider the following statements regarding nominated members of the Rajya Sabha: 1. The President nominates twelve members under Article 80(1)(a). 2. Nominated members must have special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service. 3. The four persons nominated in July 2025 filled seats newly created by Parliament. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct per Article 80(1)(a) and 80(3). Statement 3 is wrong: the notification says the nominations fill vacancies caused by the retirement of nominated members.
Under which Article of the Constitution did the President nominate four members to the Rajya Sabha in July 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Article 80
MHA notification: 'In exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 ... read with clause (3) of that article'.
Ujjwal Nikam, nominated to the Rajya Sabha in July 2025, is known as the Special Public Prosecutor in which case?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case
The Hindu and Indian Express: Ujjwal Nikam is the Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case.