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President Droupadi Murmu has nominated four individuals to the Rajya Sabha — eminent lawyer Ujjwal Nikam, seasoned diplomat Harsh Vardhan Shringla, historian Dr Meenakshi Jain, and Kerala-based teacher and social worker C Sadanandan Master.
The announcement, published in an official Gazette notification dated Saturday, July 12, 2025, said the nominations have been made to fill vacancies created by the retirement of earlier nominated members.
The President exercised her powers under Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, which authorises her to nominate members who have special knowledge or practical experience in literature, science, art and social service.
Among the nominees is Ujjwal Nikam, one of India's most prominent public prosecutors, renowned for his role as Special Public Prosecutor in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks trial and other high-profile criminal cases. In the 2024 General Elections, Nikam was fielded by the BJP from the Mumbai North Central Lok Sabha constituency. However, he faced defeat at the hands of Congress candidate Varsha Gaikwad.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a former Foreign Secretary, has held key diplomatic posts, including Ambassador to the United States, Bangladesh, and Thailand. He also served as Chief Coordinator for India's G20 Presidency in 2023.
Kerala's C Sadanandan Master, a veteran teacher and social worker, has long been associated with the BJP. He contested the 2021 Kerala Assembly elections and is also known for surviving brutal political violence in 1994 when CPI(M) cadre allegedly attacked him and severed both his legs near his village of Perinchery.
The list also included Dr Meenakshi Jain, a well-known historian and former Associate Professor of History at Gargi College, University of Delhi. Jain's work in the field of Indian history and her contributions to academia have been widely recognised.
