The President has nominated five people to Rajya Sabha, and there's one surprise entry senior - Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar.

This is seen as a rehabilitation of sorts for the man who was a Union Minister in the UPA's first term, but lost the general election last year.

A known Gandhi loyalist, Aiyar has in the past spoken his mind and was one of the few in the Congress opposed to the nuclear deal.

The nominations are made under four categories - literature, science, art and social service and it's the government's discretion.

Others who have been nominated include lyricist Javed Akhtar, Ram Dayal Munda, Bhalchandra Mungekar and Smt. B Jayashree.