In the Council of States (Rajya Sabha), how many parliamentary seats are allocated to the State of Maharashtra under the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution of India?

Introduction / Context:
The Rajya Sabha is the Upper House of the Indian Parliament and represents the States and Union Territories. Seats in the Rajya Sabha are allocated to each State largely according to population, so larger States receive more seats. Maharashtra is one of the largest and most populous States in India, and therefore has a relatively high number of seats in the Rajya Sabha. This question checks whether you know the exact number of seats allocated to Maharashtra.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The question concerns the number of Rajya Sabha seats allocated to Maharashtra.
- The options provided are 11, 19, 10 and 1 seats.
- The allocation of seats is governed by the Fourth Schedule of the Constitution and related laws.
- Maharashtra is a large State in terms of both population and contribution to the national economy.

Concept / Approach:
In the Rajya Sabha, representation is weighted by population, although not in a strictly proportional manner. Large States such as Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar and West Bengal have significant numbers of seats. Maharashtra, being one of the most populous States, has a seat allocation in the high teens rather than a single digit figure. The correct approach is to recall that Maharashtra has 19 seats in the Rajya Sabha, which places it among the States with substantial representation in the Upper House.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Maharashtra is one of the largest States in India by population, second only to a very few States such as Uttar Pradesh. Step 2: In the Rajya Sabha, larger States have many more seats compared to smaller States like Tripura or Sikkim. Step 3: Think about the fact that a State with Maharashtra's population would have a seat allocation greater than 10 and certainly more than 1. Step 4: Among common exam facts, Maharashtra is known to have 19 seats in the Rajya Sabha. Step 5: Compare this with the options and identify 19 as the only figure that matches both the known allocation and the expected magnitude for such a large State.

Verification / Alternative check:
A student can verify this figure from standard polity books or official Rajya Sabha records, which list members State wise. The entry for Maharashtra shows a total of 19 seats. Smaller figures such as 10 or 11 are associated with medium sized States, whereas 1 is typical of very small States or some Union Territories. Since Maharashtra is consistently listed with 19 seats in reliable references, this confirms the correctness of option B.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, 11 seats, is wrong because that number is too low for a State as populous as Maharashtra; it would correspond more closely to a medium sized State.
Option C, 10 seats, is similarly wrong for the same reason; it understates the representation of Maharashtra in the Rajya Sabha.
Option D, 1 seat, is clearly incorrect because such a small allocation is reserved for small States or certain Union Territories, not for one of India's largest States.

Common Pitfalls:
A common pitfall is to mix up the number of seats for different large States, such as confusing the figures for Maharashtra and other big States. Another mistake is to assume all large States have the same number of seats without remembering the specific allocation. Students may also occasionally confuse Lok Sabha seats with Rajya Sabha seats, which have different numbers for each State. Keeping a simple table of Rajya Sabha seat distribution for major States in memory can help avoid such errors.

Final Answer:
Maharashtra has 19 seats allocated to it in the Rajya Sabha.