Under the Constitution of India, how many members of the upper house (Rajya Sabha) can be nominated by the President of India for their special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art and social service?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of the composition of the Rajya Sabha, the Council of States, which is the upper house of the Indian Parliament. Apart from elected members, the Constitution allows the President to nominate a certain number of members who have special knowledge or practical experience in important fields. Knowing the exact number of such nominated members is a basic but frequently asked point in Indian polity.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question asks specifically about nominated members of the Rajya Sabha, not elected members.
These members are nominated by the President of India for their expertise in literature, science, art, and social service.
We must identify the correct maximum number of such nominated members.
The options provided are 10, 11, 12, and 15.

Concept / Approach:
Article 80 of the Constitution describes the composition of the Rajya Sabha. It states that the Council of States shall consist of a maximum of 250 members, of which not more than 238 shall be representatives of the States and Union Territories, and the remaining 12 shall be nominated by the President. These 12 nominees are chosen because of their special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service. Therefore, the correct answer is the constitutionally fixed number 12.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall Article 80, which lays down the maximum strength and composition of the Rajya Sabha.Step 2: Note that up to 238 members are elected by State Legislative Assemblies and Union Territory legislatures, while the remaining members are nominated by the President.Step 3: Remember that the exact number of nominated members specified in the Constitution is 12, chosen for their special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service.Step 4: Among the options given, select 12 as the correct maximum number of nominated members.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by looking at the current or historical composition tables of the Rajya Sabha, which always show a separate category of 12 nominated members. Standard polity books also memorably mention the formula 238 plus 12 equals 250 as the maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha. There has been no constitutional amendment changing this particular number. This consistent information confirms that 12 is the correct answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The option 10 is incorrect because it does not match the constitutional provision; there is no mention of 10 nominated members in Article 80.
The option 11 is also wrong since the Constitution clearly fixes the number at 12, and there is no provision for 11 nominated members.

The option 15 is incorrect because it exceeds the constitutional limit of 12 and would raise the total membership beyond the prescribed structure for nominated seats.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates confuse the number of nominated members in the Rajya Sabha with other numerical facts, such as the minimum age for membership or the proportion of seats that retire every two years. Others may mix up the numbers used for the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. To avoid these errors, it is helpful to remember a simple association: Rajya Sabha has a maximum of 250 members, of which 12 are nominated by the President for excellence in literature, science, art, or social service. Fixing this pattern in memory prevents confusion during the exam.

Final Answer:
The President of India can nominate a maximum of 12 members to the Rajya Sabha.