In a move recognising exceptional contributions to public service, diplomacy, social work, and historical scholarship, President of India has nominated four distinguished personalities to the Rajya Sabha, India’s Upper House of Parliament.
The newly nominated members include:
- Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, one of India’s most prominent public prosecutors, known for leading the prosecution in landmark cases such as the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack trial involving Ajmal Kasab and the 1993 Bombay blasts.
- Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a seasoned diplomat and former Foreign Secretary of India, who has served as India’s Ambassador to both the United States and Bangladesh and was instrumental in shaping India’s foreign policy during his tenure from January 2020 to April 2022.
- C. Sadanandan Master, a respected social worker and educationist from Kerala, widely acknowledged for his decades of service at the grassroots level in the fields of community development and education.
- Meenakshi Jain, an acclaimed historian and academic, noted for her significant contributions to Indian historical research and civilisational studies.
These nominations were made under Article 80(1)(a) read with Article 80(3) of the Constitution of India, which empowers the President to nominate individuals with special knowledge or practical experience in fields such as literature, science, art, and social service.
The Ministry of Home Affairs formally announced the nominations through an official notification. These appointments fill the vacancies left by retiring nominated members and are widely seen as a reflection of the government’s recognition of excellence across diverse domains of national importance.
