In India, the elected members of which body choose most of the members of the Rajya Sabha (Council of States)?

Introduction / Context:
This question focuses on the composition of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament of India, and the electoral mechanism through which its members are chosen. Understanding who elects Rajya Sabha members is an essential part of Indian polity and is commonly tested in examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The body in question is the Rajya Sabha, also called the Council of States.
• The majority of its members are indirectly elected rather than directly elected by citizens.
• The options mention different potential electors, including State Legislative Assemblies, Legislative Councils, the people, and the Lok Sabha.

Concept / Approach:
Under the Constitution, most members of the Rajya Sabha, representing the States and Union Territories with legislatures, are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies using the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. A smaller number of members are nominated by the President for their special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art and social service. The Rajya Sabha is therefore an indirectly elected house, and its members are not chosen directly by the general public or by the Lok Sabha.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the constitutional provision that Rajya Sabha members from States are elected by elected State legislators.Step 2: Note that the method used is proportional representation by single transferable vote, which is applied within the State Legislative Assemblies.Step 3: Identify from the options that only option A, elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies, matches this arrangement.Step 4: Exclude the options that incorrectly suggest direct election by people or election by Lok Sabha members.

Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative way to verify is to compare Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha. Lok Sabha is directly elected by the people, whereas Rajya Sabha is indirectly elected by State legislators. This contrast is often highlighted in polity books and helps in remembering which body elects Rajya Sabha members. Since State Legislative Assemblies perform this role, option A is confirmed as correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B: Legislative Councils exist only in some States and do not elect Rajya Sabha members in the general case.Option C: The people directly elect the Lok Sabha, not the Rajya Sabha.Option D: Members of the Lok Sabha do not elect members of the Rajya Sabha; the two houses are elected through separate processes.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes assume that because Rajya Sabha is part of Parliament, its members must be elected in the same way as Lok Sabha members. Another error is confusing the roles of State Legislative Assemblies and Councils. To avoid these mistakes, it is helpful to remember that Rajya Sabha is the Council of States and is therefore linked to State legislatures, particularly their elected Assembly members.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies