In the context of elections to the Rajya Sabha seats, consider the following statements:

1. A member elected via by-election in the Rajya Sabha serves for a full term of 6 years. 

2. Number of votes required to win a seat is independent of the population of the state. 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

a) 1 only 

b) 2 only

c) Both 1 and 2 

d) Neither 1 nor 2 

Solution: 

• When a vacancy is created in any Rajya Sabha seat due to sudden death, resignation, etc (except on retirement due to expiry of tenure) an election to that seat is held - this is called a Rajya Sabha seat by-election. 
• A member elected through by-election only continues to hold that seat only for the number of days that were remaining in the completion of the tenure of the original holder of the seat. So, they do not continue for a full term of 6 years. 
• The number of votes required to win a seat in Rajya Sabha, called the Quota, is calculated using a formula: [Total number of votes/ (Number of Rajya Sabha seats + 1)] + 1. From the above formula it is clear that the number of votes required is dependent both on the numbers of total votes (number of elected members in the State Legislative Assembly) and the total number of Rajya seats allotted to each state. Both these parameters are dependent on the size and population of a state.

Ans: (d)