Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case special public prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Kerala BJP leader C Sadanandan Master and Delhi-based historian Meenakshi Jain have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha.
In a notification issued late Saturday night, the Union Home Ministry said President Droupadi Murmu in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-clause (a) of clause (1) of article 80 of the Constitution of India, read with clause (3) of that article, has nominated the four to the Rajya Sabha.
The President nominates 12 people of eminence in various fields to the Rajya Sabha. The new nominations come in the wake of vacancies created due to the retirement of previously nominated members.
The four nominations, seen as recognition of outstanding national contributions in the fields of law, diplomacy, social service and historical research, were welcomed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah. The home minister said that the vast knowledge, experience and prowess of the nominated eminent persons will further enrich the national discourse in the Parliament.
Moments after Nigham was nominated to the Upper House, he revealed that the Prime Minister was the first person to inform him about the development on Saturday and had started speaking in Marathi. Nikam said, “He (PM Modi) started speaking in Marathi. He asked in Marathi whether he should talk in Hindi or in Marathi. I started laughing. Hearing me laugh, PM Modi also started laughing.”
The interaction also comes at a time when the Thackeray brothers have targeted the BJP for trying to ‘impose’ Hindi in Maharashtra and migrants for not speaking Marathi.
Accepting that Hindi has contributed to his growth, Nikam said he still tries to learn the local language of whichever state he visits, while refraining from commenting on the targeting of non-Marathi-speaking people in Mumbai.
Lauding Nikam’s devotion to the legal field and to the Constitution as “exemplary”, the prime minister in his post on X said he has not only been a successful lawyer but also been at the forefront of seeking justice in important cases.
Modi said : “During his entire legal career, he has always worked to strengthen Constitutional values and ensure common citizens are always treated with dignity.”
A renowned lawyer, Nikam was fielded as the BJP candidate for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from the Mumbai North Central seat.
Praising Shringla’s work as a diplomat, the PM said : “Over the years, he’s made key contributions to India’s foreign policy and also contributed to our G20 Presidency...”
Shringla had served as India’s Ambassador to the United States and Thailand and as high commissioner to Bangladesh. A 1984-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Shringla had also served as Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency in 2023.
On the nomination of Jain, the PM prime minister said : “Her work in the fields of education, literature, history and political science have enriched academic discourse significantly.”
Jain, who served as a lecturer at Delhi University’s Gargi college, has been honoured with the Padma Shri. She has authored several books on Indian history, the country’s civilisation and indigenous education and languages during British rule.
The PM said Sadanandan Master’s life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. He said : “Violence and intimidation couldn’t deter his spirit towards national development.”
Master, a former teacher, was a BJP candidate in the 2016 and 2021 assembly elections in Kannur district in Kerala. Both of his legs were chopped off in 1994 by his rivals allegedly after he changed his political allegiance.
Calling it a proud moment, the veteran social worker pledged to work harder to help realise the Union Government’s vision of a “Viksit Kerala.” Terming the political climate under the ruling Left Government as challenging for BJP workers, he vowed to improve their lives and boost their morale.
With several high-profile leaders set to complete their terms, the Rajya Sabha will witness a significant reshuffle in 2026. Elections to 75 of the 245 seats in the Upper House are scheduled for April, June, and November next year. While 233 of these seats are filled through elections by state legislatures, the remaining 12 are nominated by the President.
Prominent among those retiring is Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, whose term from Karnataka ends on June 25, 2026. He will be joined by former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda, also from the same state.
From Uttar Pradesh, two key ministers in the Modi Cabinet — Hardeep Singh Puri and BL Verma — are set to retire on November 25 next year, along with eight others from the state.
In poll-bound Bihar, an important set of retirements includes Deputy Rajya Sabha Chairman Harivansh and RJD leaders AD Singh and Prem Chandra Gupta, along with former Union Minister Upendra Kushwaha.
Union Minister George Kurien, elected from Madhya Pradesh and senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singh will also be retiring in June next year. Maharashtra will see seven seats fall vacant in April 2026, with senior leaders Sharad Pawar (NCP-SP), Priyanka Chaturvedi (Shiv Sena UBT) and Union Minister Ramdas Athawale completing their respective terms.
Shibu Soren, a founding member of the JMM from Jharkhand, and Shaktisinh Gohil of Gujarat are also due to retire in June next year. From Andhra Pradesh, those retiring include Sana Satish Babu (TDP), and YSRCP leaders Ayodhya Rami Reddy, Parimal Nathwani, and Pilli Subhash. Telangana will see the exit of senior advocate and Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi in April 2026.