President Droupadi Murmu has nominated four distinguished individuals—Ujjwal Nikam, Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Meenakshi Jain, and C. Sadanandan Master—to the Rajya Sabha, filling vacancies left by retiring nominated members.

The announcement, gazetted on July 12, 2025, recognizes their significant contributions in law, diplomacy, history, and social service.

Ujjwal Nikam, a renowned public prosecutor, gained national prominence for his role in securing the conviction of Ajmal Kasab in the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks case and prosecuting the 1993 Bombay blasts. A Padma Shri recipient, Nikam also contested the 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North Central as a BJP candidate but was defeated by Congress’ Varsha Gaikwad

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Harsh Vardhan Shringla, a 1984-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, served as India’s Foreign Secretary from 2020 to 2022 and as Ambassador to the United States, Bangladesh, and Thailand. His diplomatic expertise navigated India through complex global challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meenakshi Jain, an eminent historian and professor, is celebrated for her scholarly contributions to Indian history, offering nuanced perspectives on cultural and historical narratives. Her nomination underscores the value of intellectual discourse in the Upper House.

C. Sadanandan Master, a veteran social worker and educator from Kerala, is a survivor of political violence, having endured severe attacks by CPI(M) activists. His resilience and dedication to education and community service earned him this honor. These nominations, under the President’s authority to appoint 12 eminent persons to the Rajya Sabha for their contributions to arts, literature, sciences, or social services, reflect a commitment to diverse expertise in India’s Upper House.

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