Parliament of India consists of two Houses namely, the Council of States and the House of the People.

After the first  General Elections held in 1952, the Council of States, better known as Rajya Sabha, was constituted on April 3, 1952 and met under the Chairmanship of Vice President Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan for its first Session on May 13, 1952. Rajya Sabha has completed  25  years  of its life and the issue of this commemorative stamp  is part  of  the celebrations  to  mark  the  occasion.

The total number of members of the Rajya Sabha which on its initial constitution was 116; is at present 244-226 representatives from the States which are constituent units of the Indian Union,  6 from the Union Territories and 12 nominated members. The Rajya Sabha, unlike the Lok Sabha, is not subject to dissolution but one-third of its members retire on the expiration of every second year. The continuity of the Rajya Sabha acquires a special significance when the Lok Sabha stands dissolved. It is then that the Rajya Sabha discharges the obligations of Parliament to look after the nation's interests.

During the 25 years of its life, Rajya Sabha has done valuable work in the Legislative as well as other flelds of Parliamentary activity and has more than fulfilled the expectations of the framers of our Constitution.  The Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha together represent the majesty and sovereignty of the Indian people.

The Posts and Telegraphs Department feels privileged to bring out a commemorative postage stamp to mark the 25 years of life and incidentally the 101st Session of this  House  of  the  Indian  Parliament.

Source : Information Folder issued by Indian Posts & Telegraph Department, Government of India