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All questions of State Legislature for UPSC CSE Exam

Consider the following statements:
Statement-I:
 State legislatures in India differ in their structure, with some following a unicameral system and others a bicameral system.
Statement-II:
The legislative council acts as the upper house, while the legislative assembly serves as the lower house in states with a bicameral system.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
  • a)
    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • b)
    Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • c)
    Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • d)
    Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?


Statement-I is correct because it highlights the structural differences in state legislatures in India, noting the presence of both unicameral and bicameral systems across various states.
Statement-II is also correct as it accurately describes the roles of the legislative council and the legislative assembly in states with a bicameral system. The legislative council indeed functions as the upper house, while the legislative assembly serves as the lower house, providing a clear hierarchy and division of responsibilities in the legislative process.
Therefore, both statements are factually accurate, and Statement-II logically explains the context provided in Statement-I.

Consider the following statements regarding the organization of State Legislatures in India:
1. Only six states in India have a bicameral system consisting of a Legislative Council and a Legislative Assembly.
2. The creation or abolition of Legislative Councils in states can be facilitated by Parliament through a special resolution passed by the concerned state's assembly.
3. The Legislative Assembly in a bicameral system serves as the upper house, while the Legislative Council serves as the lower house.
  • a)
    1 Only
  • b)
    1 and 2 Only
  • c)
    1 and 3 Only
  • d)
    1, 2 and 3
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Gauri Reddy answered
Overview of State Legislatures in India
In India, the organization of state legislatures can be classified into unicameral and bicameral systems. The statements provided in the question address key aspects of this organization.
Statement 1: Bicameral System
- Only six states in India have a bicameral system, which consists of a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) and a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
- The states with a bicameral legislature are Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh.
Statement 2: Creation or Abolition of Legislative Councils
- The creation or abolition of Legislative Councils can indeed be facilitated by the Parliament of India.
- This process requires a special resolution, but importantly, it must be passed by the concerned state's Legislative Assembly as well. Thus, this statement is accurate.
Statement 3: Roles of Legislative Assembly and Council
- This statement is incorrect. In a bicameral system, the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) serves as the lower house, while the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) serves as the upper house.
- The legislative assembly holds more power and is directly elected by the people, while the council consists of members who may be appointed or elected by other means.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis of the statements:
- Statement 1 is true.
- Statement 2 is true.
- Statement 3 is false.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B', which includes only statements 1 and 2.

What is the primary difference in the duration of membership terms between the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad)?
  • a)
    Members of the Legislative Assembly serve a fixed five-year term, while the Legislative Council operates on a rotational system.
  • b)
    The Legislative Assembly members retire every two years, whereas the Legislative Council has a permanent term.
  • c)
    The Legislative Assembly term can be extended under specific circumstances, unlike the Legislative Council's fixed term.
  • d)
    The Legislative Council serves a six-year term, while the Legislative Assembly members are elected indefinitely.
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Divey Sethi answered
The primary distinction lies in the duration of membership terms between the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad). Members of the Legislative Assembly serve a fixed five-year term, starting from their first sitting, unless dissolved earlier. On the other hand, the Legislative Council operates on a rotational system, where one-third of its members retire every two years. This difference signifies the unique characteristics of these legislative bodies, with the Assembly emphasizing fixed terms and the Council focusing on continuity through a rotational system.

Consider the following statements.
1. The Constitution provides for the abolition or creation of legislative councils in states
2. The Parliament can abolish a legislative council if the legislative assembly of the concerned state passes a resolution to that effect
3. Such a specific resolution must be passed by the state assembly by a simple majority 
Which of these statements is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 and 2 Only
  • b)
    2 and 3 Only
  • c)
    1 and 3 Only
  • d)
    All of them
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Nitin Unni answered
The Constitution provides for the abolition or creation of legislative councils in states. Accordingly, the Parliament can abolish a legislative council (where it already exists) or create it (where it does not exist), if the legislative assembly of the concerned state passes a resolution to that effect. Such a specific resolution must be passed by the state assembly by a special majority, that is, a majority of the total membership of the assembly and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members of the assembly present and voting.

Consider the following statements:
1. The Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) is a permanent body and one-third of its members retire every two years.
2. Members of the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) serve a six-year term unless dissolved earlier.
3. Under Article 356 President's Rule, can be extended for a period  of 3 years upon Parliament's approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
  • a)
    1 Only
  • b)
    1 and 2 Only
  • c)
    1 and 3 Only
  • d)
    1, 2 and 3
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Ias Masters answered
Statement 1: The Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) is a permanent body and one-third of its members retire every two years.
- This statement is correct. The Legislative Council is indeed a permanent body, and one-third of its members retire every two years, ensuring continuity.
Statement 2: Members of the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) serve a six-year term unless dissolved earlier.
- This statement is incorrect. Members of the Legislative Assembly serve a five-year term, not six years, unless the Assembly is dissolved earlier.
Statement 3: Under Article 356 President's Rule, can be extended for a period  of 3 years upon Parliament's approval.
- This statement is correct.The President's Rule is initially for a period of six months. Later, it can be extended for a period of three years with parliamentary approval, every six months.
Therefore, the correct statements are 1 and 3.
Answer: Option C: 1 and 3 Only

In the state legislative procedure, what is the typical process for an ordinary bill to become a law?
  • a)
    Introduction, Debate, Approval by President
  • b)
    Introduction, Detailed consideration, Voting, Assent of Governor, Assent of President
  • c)
    Introduction, Passage, Recommendation by Council
  • d)
    Introduction, Approval by Governor, Approval by President
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev UPSC answered
In the state legislative procedure, an ordinary bill typically goes through stages such as Introduction, Detailed consideration, Voting in both houses, followed by the Assent of the Governor, and finally the Assent of the President. This process ensures thorough scrutiny and approval at various levels of the state legislature before becoming a law.

Consider the following pairs regarding the State Legislature:
1. Legislative Assembly Term: Five years from the first sitting
2. Legislative Council Term: Members retire every six years
3. Speaker of the Assembly: Elected by the Legislative Council
4. Governor's  Appointement: By the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
  • a)
    Only one pair
  • b)
    Only two pairs
  • c)
    Only three pairs
  • d)
    All four pairs
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

BT Educators answered
  1. Legislative Assembly Term: Five years from the first sitting – This is correct. The term of the Legislative Assembly is indeed five years from the date of its first sitting unless dissolved earlier.
  2. Legislative Council Term: Members retire every six years – This is incorrect.  The Legislative Council operates on a rotational system where one-third of its members retire every two years, not every six years.
  3. Speaker of the Assembly: Elected by the Legislative Council – This is incorrect. The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly is elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly, not the Legislative Council.
  4. Governor's Appointment: By the President by warrant under his hand and seal – This is correct. The Governor of a state is appointed by the President of India by a warrant under his hand and seal.
So, the correct answer is b) Only two pairs.

What does the composition of the legislative assembly in Indian state legislatures primarily involve?
  • a)
    Members directly appointed by the President
  • b)
    Territorial representation and reserved seats for marginalized groups
  • c)
    Lifetime tenure for assembly members
  • d)
    Appointment of the Speaker by the Prime Minister
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

Lohit Matani answered
The composition of the legislative assembly in Indian state legislatures involves members being directly elected by the state's people. This process includes territorial representation, where members represent specific geographic constituencies within the state, and reserved seats for marginalized groups like Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) to ensure fair representation based on population demographics. The number of assembly members varies by state, determined by population size. This structure ensures diverse representation and democratic decision-making within the state legislature.

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