Due to its federal character, the Rajya Sabha has been given two exclusive or special powers that are not enjoyed by the Lok Sabha:

• It can authorise the Parliament to make a law on a subject enumerated in the State List (Article 249)
• It can authorise the Parliament to create new All-India Services common to both the Centre and states (Article 312)

An examination of the preceding arguments reveals that the Rajya Sabha's position in our constitutional system is neither as weak as that of the House of Lords in the British constitutional system nor as strong as that of the Senate in the American constitutional system. Except for financial matters and jurisdiction over the council of ministers, the Rajya Sabha's powers and status are generally equal and coordinated with that of the Lok Sabha.

Even though the Rajya Sabha has been given less powers as compared with the Lok Sabha, its utility is supported on the following grounds:

• It checks hasty, defective, careless and ill-considered legislation made by the Lok Sabha by making provision of revision and thought.
• It facilitates giving representation to eminent professionals and experts who cannot face direct election. The President nominates 12 such persons to the Rajya Sabha.
• It maintains the federal equilibrium by protecting the interests of the States against the undue interference of the Centre.