President Murmu nominates Ujjwal Nikam, Shringla, Meenakshi Jain, and Sadanandan Master to Rajya Sabha

In a significant development, President Droupadi Murmu has nominated four distinguished individuals to the Rajya Sabha, recognising their outstanding contributions to various fields including law, diplomacy, history, and social service. The announcement was formalised through a Gazette notification dated July 12, 2025, in accordance with Article 80(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, which allows the President to nominate members with notable expertise or experience in key areas of public life.

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Among those nominated is Ujjwal Nikam, a well-known legal figure and former Special Public Prosecutor, celebrated for leading several landmark criminal trials including the 26/11 Mumbai attacks. Though he contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North Central on a BJP ticket, he was defeated. Despite the electoral setback, his legal legacy has earned him a seat in the Upper House.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla, India’s former Foreign Secretary, has also been nominated. With an illustrious diplomatic career that includes ambassadorships to the US, Bangladesh, and Thailand, and having served as Chief Coordinator of India’s G20 presidency in 2023, Shringla brings a wealth of strategic and international experience to the House.

C Sadanandan Master, a teacher and social worker from Kerala, has been recognised for his resilience and decades of service. A survivor of violent political attacks and a BJP associate, he has worked extensively in the field of education and youth empowerment.

The list is completed by Dr Meenakshi Jain, a respected historian and academic known for her extensive research in Indian history. Her scholarly contributions have significantly influenced historical and political thought in contemporary India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to social media to congratulate each nominee, highlighting their achievements and expressing confidence in their ability to enrich parliamentary debates.