The President of India has nominated former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla and three others for Rajya Sabha (Upper House).The President has also nominated Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, a public prosecutor who has handled key criminal cases; C Sadanandan Master, a veteran social worker who has worked extensively in the field of education in Kerala; and Meenakshi Jain, a historian and an academic.
The nominations has been made to fill the vacancies created due to the retirement of the previously nominated members.
The President’s nominations have been made under the powers conferred by Article 80(1)(a) of the Constitution, read with clause (3) of the same article, read a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) notification dated July 12, reported ANI.
The President of India has nominated Ujjwal Deorao Nikam, a renowned public prosecutor known for handling high-profile criminal cases; C. Sadanandan Maste, a veteran social worker and educationist from Kerala; Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former Foreign Secretary of India; and… pic.twitter.com/eN6ga5CsPw
— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2025Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the nominees and wished them good wishes on X (formerly Twitter).Diplomat Shringla was India’s foreign secretary and former Ambassador to the United States, Bangladesh and Thailand, who also served as the Chief Coordinator for India’s G20 Presidency in 2023.”Shri Harsh Vardhan Shringla Ji has excelled as a diplomat, intellectual and strategic thinker. Over the years, he’s made key contributions to India’s foreign policy and also contributed to our G20 Presidency. Glad that he’s been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by President of India. His unique perspectives will greatly enrich Parliamentary proceedings,” PM Modi wrote on X.Read more: Fire breaks out at Radisson Blu hotel in Dwarka, no casualties reportedAdv Ujjwal Nikam was the public prosecutor for several important cases such as Mumbai bomb blasts of 1993, Mumbai terror attacks of 26/11 in which Ajmal Kasab was prosecuted, Shakti mill gang rape case, and murder cases of Pramod Mahajan and Gulshan Kumar, among others.Nikam fought 2024 Lok Sabha elections from Mumbai North central constituency on a BJP ticket but lost.”Shri Ujjwal Nikam’s devotion to the legal field and to our Constitution is exemplary. He has not only been a successful lawyer but also been at the forefront of seeking justice in important cases. During his entire legal career, he has always worked to strengthen Constitutional values and ensure common citizens are always treated with dignity. It’s gladdening that the President of India has nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. My best wishes for his Parliamentary innings,” PM Modi said.Sadanandan Master is a a BJP member and a teacher from Kerala who also contested the 2021 Assembly polls. Sadanandan is a victim of political violence who lost both of his legs as they were chopped of by CPI(M) cadre near his native village of Perinchery on January 25, 1994, as per The Hindu.He was contacted by PM Modi on Friday (July 11) who asked him accept the position as Kerala is an important state for the party. “We want you to accept this responsibility. Kerala matters deeply to us,” Modi told Master, as per News18.Read more: Indian legal system badly in need of fixing, says CJI BR Gavai “PM Modi has always expressed his concern about the state, and made it clear how crucial Kerala is to him. He called me on Friday and urged me to step forward to fulfill my mission of transforming Kerala into a flourishing state, free of political violence and intimidation,” he added.”Shri C. Sadanandan Master’s life is the epitome of courage and refusal to bow to injustice. Violence and intimidation couldn’t deter his spirit towards national development. His efforts as a teacher and social worker are also commendable. He is extremely passionate towards youth empowerment. Congratulations to him for being nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rahstrapati Ji. Best wishes for his role as MP,” the Prime Minister said on X.Dr Jain is a former Associate Professor of History who taught at University of Delhi’s Gargi College.”It’s a matter of immense joy that Dr. Meenakshi Jain Ji has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by Rashtrapati Ji. She has distinguished herself as a scholar, researcher and historian. Her work in the fields of education, literature, history and political science have enriched academic discourse significantly. Best wishes for her Parliamentary tenure,” Modi wrote.
