The Upper House of the Parliament is known as the Rajya Sabha. It represents the states in India. The Rajya Sabha is a permanent House as it cannot be dissolved. Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected for a period of six years and one-third of the total members retire after every six years. Four special powers of the Rajya Sabha are:
Special powers of the Rajya Sabha
(i) The proclamation of emergency by the President is passed by the Rajya Sabha if the Lok Sabha is not in session or has been dissolved.
(ii) The Rajya Sabha enjoys equal powers with the Lok Sabha in matters like amendment of the constitution, election and impeachment of the President, Vice President and Judges of the Supreme Court and High Court.
(iii) No laws on any subjects of the State list can be made by the Lok Sabha without a 2/3rd majority of the Rajya Sabha.
(iv) The approval of Rajya Sabha is necessary in case of creating one or more all India services common to the Union as well as the States.
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