President Droupadi Murmu has decided to nominate four big names to the Rajya Sabha who are to occupy the seats left behind after outgoing members resign. The nominations, which have been released in a gazette notification on Saturday, July 12, 2025, are that of popular lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, former Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, historian Dr. Meenakshi Jain and social worker C. Sadanandan Master based in Kerala.
The kidney of law granting the President this power is Article 80(1)(a), which gives her the authority to nominate up to 12 members of parliament who are members of the upper house. Such nominated members have to show exceptional expertise or practical experience in literature, science, art, and social service. At present, four of the twelve nominated positions are empty after the retirement of the previous appointees.
Ujjwal Nikam, the 72-year-old legal stalwart, brings decades of experience in handling high-profile terrorism and criminal cases. As Special Public Prosecutor, he played a crucial role in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case and the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial. His portfolio also includes prosecuting the murder cases of music mogul Gulshan Kumar and BJP leader Pramod Mahajan. Despite his legal achievements, Nikam faced electoral defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections when he contested from Mumbai North Central on a BJP ticket, losing to Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad. He was honoured with the Padma Shri in 2016 for his contributions to the legal field.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla served as India's Foreign Secretary from January 2020 to April 2022, steering the country's diplomatic relations during challenging times. His distinguished career includes ambassadorial postings to the United States, Bangladesh, and Thailand. Notably, he served as Chief Coordinator for India's successful G20 Presidency in 2023, showcasing his strategic diplomatic skills on the global stage.
C. Sadanandan Master represents courage and resilience in the face of adversity. This Kerala-based educator and social worker survived a brutal attack by CPI(M) workers three decades ago, resulting in both his legs being severed. Despite this traumatic experience, he continued his work in education and social service. He contested the 2016 Kerala Assembly elections from Kuthuparamba but finished third. His nomination is seen as recognition of his unwavering commitment to social causes despite personal hardships.
Dr. Meenakshi Jain, a distinguished historian and former Associate Professor at Gargi College, University of Delhi, has made significant contributions to academic discourse. Her research work has enriched the understanding of Indian history and culture. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020 for her valuable contributions to education and has previously served as a member of the Indian Council of Historical Research.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated all four nominees in a series of posts on social media platform X. He praised Nikam's "devotion to the legal field and Constitution," highlighted Shringla's excellence "as a diplomat, intellectual and strategic thinker," described Sadanandan Master's life as "the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice," and commended Dr. Jain as someone who "has distinguished herself as a scholar, researcher and historian."
The nominations reflect a balanced representation across different fields of expertise, bringing together legal acumen, diplomatic experience, social service, and academic scholarship to enrich Parliamentary proceedings. These appointments are expected to add valuable perspectives to the Upper House's deliberations on national issues.
With these nominations, the Rajya Sabha gains four distinguished members whose diverse backgrounds and expertise will contribute to India's legislative process and democratic discourse.
