The Council of States has exclusive powers in relation to which of the following?

The correct answer is C. Under Article 312, Parliament can create new All India Services only if the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) first passes a resolution, supported by at least two-thirds of members present and voting, declaring it necessary in the national interest. Only the Rajya Sabha can start this route, which makes it an exclusive power. Article 249 is the related provision that lets Parliament legislate on a State List matter in the national interest.

• A is wrong: Impeachment of the President under Article 61 can be initiated in either House, so it is not exclusive to the Rajya Sabha.
• B is wrong: The motion for removal of a Supreme Court judge under Article 124(4) and (5) can be moved in either House of Parliament.
• D is wrong: Since C is correct, 'None of the above' cannot hold.

The core concept is the federal role of the Rajya Sabha as the House representing the States, which is why it gets special powers in matters touching State governments. For Mains, this links to centre-state relations and the debate on All India Services such as the IAS.

Trap: Candidates often assume that removal of constitutional functionaries is a Rajya Sabha privilege. They mix up the Vice-President's removal, which the Rajya Sabha initiates exclusively under Article 67(b), with the President and judges, where either House can act.