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chapter 17 The STaTe GoVerNmeNT

The sTaTe leGislaTure

India has 28 states and 7 union territories. Each state has its own legislature. Usually, the
state legislature consists of the Governor of the state
and one house of elected legislature i.e., Legislative The Constitution of India does
Assembly or Vidhan Sabha. But, some states like not use the word ‘Federation’ for
Maharashtra, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, government structure of the country,
Bihar and Jammu and Kashmir have two houses of instead it uses ‘Indian Union’.
legislature. The upper house is called the Legislative “The Constitution of India is federal
Council or the Vidhan Parishad whereas the lower house in form, but unitary in spirit.”
is called the Legislative Assembly or Vidhan Sabha. The legislature having one house is

called the unicameral while the bicameral is said to be if the state has two houses.
sTaTe

Vidhan Sabha Vidhan Parishad
(Legislative Assembly) (Legislative Council)

Not More than 500 One–third of the membership
members and not less of the Vidhan Sabha and not
than 60 who are called less than 40 members who are
MLAs called MLCs

5 years term A permanent house, one–third
of its members retire every
2 years

The viDhan parishaD or The leGislaTive council

The Legislative Council is a permanent house like the Council of States. The total number
of members in the Legislative Council should not exceed one-third of the total number of
members in the Legislative Assembly in that state. However, the total number of members

shall in no case be less than 40. The basis of the composition of the council is as follows :
One-third of the total members of the Council shall be elected indirectly by an Electoral
College compared of the members of the Legislative Assembly of the concerned state.

• The remaining members, i.e. 1/6 of the total members of the Legislative Council,
will be nominated by the Governor from amongst the people who have distinguished
themselves in the sphere of literature, art, science or social service.
• About 1/3 of the members are elected by members of the Legislative Assembly from

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