Anand Classes presents detailed State Legislature Notes for NDA Polity GK, covering the composition, powers, and functions of the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council. These notes include constitutional provisions, differences between the two houses, and exam-focused solved MCQs to strengthen your NDA preparation. Click the print button to download study material and notes.
The State Legislature – NDA Polity General Studies Notes
Structure
- Every Indian state has a Legislature.
- It can be Unicameral (one House) or Bicameral (two Houses).
- The two Houses in a bicameral legislature are:
- Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) – Lower House
- Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) – Upper House
Bicameral Legislature in States
- Not all states have a bicameral system.
- States with Bicameral Legislature: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
- Creation/Abolition of Legislative Council: Can be done by Parliament but only on the recommendation of the concerned Legislative Assembly (Article 169).
Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad – Upper House)
- Known as the Upper House of the State Legislature.
- It cannot be dissolved, but members have a 6-year tenure with 1/3rd retiring every 2 years (similar to Rajya Sabha at Union level).
- Strength:
- Maximum = 1/3rd of the Legislative Assembly’s strength.
- Minimum = 40 members.
- Article 171 (3): Provides for the composition of the Legislative Council.
Election and Composition
- 1/3rd – Elected by local bodies (Zila Parishad, Municipalities).
- 1/3rd – Elected by MLAs of the State.
- 1/12th – Elected by graduates’ constituencies.
- 1/12th – Elected by teachers of secondary schools, colleges, universities.
- 1/6th – Nominated by the Governor from persons with expertise in literature, science, art, co-operative movement, or social service.
Qualifications
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Minimum age = 30 years.
- Presiding officers: Chairman and Vice-Chairman (elected by members).
Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha – Lower House)
- It is the directly elected House of the people in the state.
- Term = 5 years (can be dissolved earlier by the Governor).
- During National Emergency, its term may be extended by 1 year at a time.
- Governor’s Special Power: May nominate 1 Anglo-Indian member if the community is not adequately represented.
Strength
- Article 170(1):
- Maximum = 500 members.
- Minimum = 60 members.
- Exceptions:
- Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa → Minimum 30 members.
- Mizoram → 40 members.
- Nagaland → 46 members.
Election and Qualifications
- Members are directly elected by the people through territorial constituencies.
- Qualifications:
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Minimum age = 25 years.
- Must meet conditions under the Representation of People Act, 1951.
- Presiding officers: Speaker and Deputy Speaker.
NDA Polity FAQs on State Legislature for SSB Preparation
1. Which states have a Bicameral Legislature?
Currently, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir.
(Common NDA polity question, covered in Anand Classes NDA polity notes and NDA study material pdf.)
2. Who has the power to create or abolish a State Legislative Council?
The Parliament of India can create or abolish a State Legislative Council, but only if the Legislative Assembly of the state passes a resolution recommending it.
(Frequently tested in UPSC NDA polity exams – see NDA polity notes pdf.)
3. What is the tenure of members of the Legislative Council?
Members serve a 6-year term, with 1/3rd retiring every 2 years. This ensures continuity in the House.
(Important for NDA polity preparation, highlighted in NDA notes and study pdf material.)
4. What is the minimum and maximum strength of the Legislative Assembly?
- Minimum = 60, Maximum = 500 (Article 170).
- Exceptions: Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Goa (30); Mizoram (40); Nagaland (46).
(Direct NDA polity MCQ type question – covered in Anand Classes NDA notes pdf.)
5. What are the qualifications to be a member of the Legislative Assembly vs Legislative Council?
- Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha): Age ≥ 25 years, Citizen of India.
- Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad): Age ≥ 30 years, Citizen of India.
(This difference is exam-focused and useful for NDA polity notes pdf practice.)
MCQs on State Legislature (UPSC NDA Polity Practice)
Q1. Which of the following Indian states has a bicameral legislature?
a) Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab
b) Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra
c) Rajasthan, Haryana, Gujarat
d) Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Assam
Answer: b) Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra
Explanation: Currently, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir have bicameral legislatures. This is a direct factual NDA polity question.
(Covered in NDA polity notes and NDA study material pdf for practice.)
Q2. The power to create or abolish a Legislative Council in a state lies with:
a) State Legislative Assembly
b) Governor of the State
c) Parliament of India
d) President of India
Answer: c) Parliament of India
Explanation: Parliament may create or abolish a Legislative Council in a state on the recommendation of the State Legislative Assembly (Article 169). The Governor or President alone cannot do this.
(Frequently asked in NDA polity MCQs, see Anand Classes NDA polity notes pdf.)
Q3. What is the minimum strength of a State Legislative Council?
a) 30
b) 40
c) 50
d) 60
Answer: b) 40
Explanation: As per Article 171, the minimum strength of a Legislative Council is 40. Its maximum size is capped at 1/3rd of the State Assembly strength. This is an NDA fact-based polity question.
(Direct question for NDA polity preparation, found in NDA study material pdf.)
Q4. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the composition of the Legislative Assembly of a state?
a) Article 168
b) Article 169
c) Article 170
d) Article 171
Answer: c) Article 170
Explanation: Article 170(1) states that the Legislative Assembly of each state shall consist of not more than 500 and not less than 60 members, directly elected from constituencies.
(Important for NDA polity preparation – see NDA polity notes and study pdf.)
Q5. During National Emergency, the term of a State Legislative Assembly can be extended by:
a) 6 months at a time
b) 1 year at a time
c) 2 years at a time
d) Until Emergency ends
Answer: b) 1 year at a time
Explanation: Normally, the term of a Legislative Assembly is 5 years, but during National Emergency, it can be extended by 1 year at a time (but not beyond 6 months after Emergency ends).
(Repeatedly asked in NDA polity MCQs, explained in NDA study material pdf.)
Q6. The minimum age to become a member of the Legislative Assembly is:
a) 21 years
b) 25 years
c) 30 years
d) 35 years
Answer: b) 25 years
Explanation: To be a member of the Legislative Assembly, a person must be a citizen of India and not less than 25 years of age. For the Legislative Council, the minimum age is 30 years.
(NDA polity exams often frame such comparison-based questions – covered in NDA polity notes pdf.)
Q7. Which of the following is NOT correctly matched?
a) 1/3rd of Legislative Council – Elected by local bodies
b) 1/3rd of Legislative Council – Elected by MLAs
c) 1/12th of Legislative Council – Elected by teachers
d) 1/2 of Legislative Council – Nominated by the Governor
Answer: d) 1/2 of Legislative Council – Nominated by the Governor
Explanation: Only 1/6th of the Legislative Council members are nominated by the Governor. The other fractions are correct. This type of question checks detailed knowledge in NDA polity exams.
(Covered in Anand Classes NDA polity study material pdf for exam practice.)
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