The Council of States is one of the two houses of the Parliament of India, the other being the Lok Sabha. It represents the states and union territories of India, ensuring that their interests are considered in the legislative process. Members of the Council are elected by the elected members of the state legislative assemblies, as well as by the President for the union territories. The Council of States plays a crucial role in reviewing and suggesting amendments to legislation proposed by the Lok Sabha. It consists of a total of 245 members, with 233 elected and 12 nominated by the President of India for their expertise in specific fields like literature, science, and social service.