UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims & Mains): State Legislature | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Correct Answer is Option (c)
​Statement I: Correct
Under Article 94 of the Indian Constitution, the Speaker of the Lok Sabha remains in office even after the House is dissolved, continuing until immediately before the first meeting of the newly constituted House to ensure continuity.
Statement II: Incorrect
There is no constitutional requirement for the Speaker to resign from their political party. Resigning from the party is a convention, not a mandate, to maintain impartiality in their role.
Statement III: Correct
As per Article 94, the Speaker can be removed from office by a resolution passed by a majority of the members of the Lok Sabha, with a minimum of 14 days' prior notice.
Thus, Statements I and III are correct, while Statement II is incorrect.

Correct Answer is Option (a)
The State government does not have control over its local bodies in matters of Citizens’ grievances

Correct Answer is Option (d)
A defeated candidate who fails to secure more than one sixth of the valid votes polled in the constituency will lose his security deposit. When a very large number of candidates contest the election, due to distribution of votes, the winning candidate may get less than 1/6th of valid voters.

Ans: The Parliament, under Article 169, can abolish or create a legislative council by a simple majority, that is, a majority of the members of each House present and voting, if the legislative assembly of the concerned state, by a special majority, passes a resolution to that effect. Article 171 provides for the Composition of council.
Utility of State legislative councils

• Bringing diverse opinion on policy making ; Functional representation of various groups [e.g., teachers, graduates, local representatives], thus enable non-elected persons to contribute to the legislative process. 
• Check hasty legislations by Legislative assemblies + prevent them from exercising too much legislation or executive authority 
• Nominated members who are apolitical background bring extra wisdom and provides forum for intellectuals and academicians who are not suited for electoral politics. 
• Brings pressure on Legislative assembly for policy making.

Concerns with Legislative Councils

• They can be created and abolished by Union parliament by a simple majority.  
• Their recommendations are not binding on assembly + became back door for failed politicians  
• Burden on public exchequer.  
• Representing graduates in the house has outlived its utility  
• Politicization in selecting nominated members  
• Can create delay in policy making.