State Legislative Council Practice Questions
19 free State Legislative Council practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the creation or abolition of Legislative Councils in States?
- A Article 169
- B Article 168
- C Article 170
- D Article 171
Correct answer: Article 169
Article 169 empowers the Parliament to create or abolish a Legislative Council in a state. This can only happen if the Legislative Assembly of that state passes a resolution by a special majority.
The Legislative Council of a state is also known by which of the following names?
- A Vidhan Parishad
- B Vidhan Sabha
- C The Rajya Sabha
- D Lok Parishad
Correct answer: Vidhan Parishad
The Legislative Council is formally known as the Vidhan Parishad. It serves as the upper house of the state legislature, whereas the Vidhan Sabha is the lower house.
What is the minimum number of members fixed by the Constitution for a State Legislative Council?
- A 40
- B 30
- C 50
- D 60
Correct answer: 40
The Constitution specifies that while the maximum strength is one-third of the Assembly, the minimum strength of a Legislative Council must be 40. This ensures the body is large enough to function effectively.
How many members of the Legislative Council are elected by the members of the local bodies (municipalities, district boards, etc.)?
- A One-third
- B One-sixth
- C One-twelfth
- D One-half
Correct answer: One-third
Approximately one-third of the members of the Legislative Council are elected by members of local authorities such as municipalities and district boards. This provides local governance representation in the state legislature.
Members of the Legislative Council elected by the Legislative Assembly constitute what portion of the total membership?
- A One-sixth
- B One-twelfth
- C One-third
- D One-fourth
Correct answer: One-third
One-third of the members of the Legislative Council are elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly of the State from among persons who are not members of the Assembly. This ensures coordination between the two houses.
What fraction of members in the Legislative Council are elected by teachers of at least three years' standing in secondary schools or higher?
- A 1/3
- B 1/6
- C 1/12
- D 1/10
Correct answer: 1/12
One-twelfth of the members are elected by a constituency consisting of teachers who have been engaged in teaching for at least three years in educational institutions within the state, not lower in standard than a secondary school.
Which of the following is a criterion for the Governor to nominate members to the Legislative Council?
- A Excellence in Sports
- B Cooperative Movement
- C Military Service
- D Business Management
Correct answer: Cooperative Movement
Under Article 171, the Governor nominates 1/6th of members based on their special knowledge in literature, science, art, cooperative movement, and social service. This differs from the Rajya Sabha, where 'cooperative movement' is not a listed category.
What is the nature of the State Legislative Council as a legislative body?
- A It is dissolved and freshly reconstituted every five years.
- B It is dissolved and freshly reconstituted every six years.
- C It is a permanent body, not subject to dissolution.
- D It is dissolved whenever the Governor decides so.
Correct answer: It is a permanent body, not subject to dissolution.
The Legislative Council, like the Rajya Sabha, is a permanent house. It does not undergo dissolution, but one-third of its members retire every second year.
Who presides over the sittings of the Legislative Council?
- A The Governor
- B The Speaker
- C The Chairman
- D The Vice-President
Correct answer: The Chairman
The members of the Legislative Council elect a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman from among themselves. The Chairman is the presiding officer of the house.
To whom does the Chairman of the Legislative Council submit his resignation?
- A The Governor
- B The Deputy Chairman
- C The Speaker of the Assembly
- D The Chief Minister
Correct answer: The Deputy Chairman
The Chairman of the Legislative Council resigns by writing to the Deputy Chairman. Similarly, the Deputy Chairman submits his resignation to the Chairman.
What is the maximum time the Legislative Council can delay an ordinary bill passed by the Assembly for the first time?
- A 1 month
- B 3 months
- C 4 months
- D 6 months
Correct answer: 3 months
When the Assembly passes an ordinary bill and sends it to the Council, the Council can delay it for a maximum of 3 months in the first instance. If the Assembly passes it again, the Council can only delay it for 1 more month.
Total delay that a Legislative Council can cause to an ordinary bill is:
- A 3 months
- B 4 months
- C 6 months
- D 14 days
Correct answer: 4 months
The Council can delay a bill for 3 months the first time and 1 month the second time. Therefore, the total maximum delay period is 4 months before the bill is deemed passed.
Regarding Money Bills, the Legislative Council has the power to:
- A Reject the bill
- B Amend the bill
- C Make recommendations only
- D Vote on demands for grants
Correct answer: Make recommendations only
The Legislative Council cannot reject or amend a Money Bill; it can only make recommendations within 14 days. The Legislative Assembly is free to accept or reject any or all of those recommendations.
The Legislative Council participates in which of the following elections?
- A Election of the President of India
- B Election of the Vice-President of India
- C Election of members to the Rajya Sabha
- D None of the above; no role in these
Correct answer: None of the above; no role in these
Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) do not vote in the elections for the President, Vice-President, or Rajya Sabha members. Only elected members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and Parliament participate in these processes.
How are the members of the Legislative Council elected?
- A By Direct Election through universal adult suffrage voting
- B By Proportional Representation using Single Transferable Vote
- C By the First-Past-The-Post plurality voting system, as in Lok Sabha
- D By direct nomination made solely by the Prime Minister
Correct answer: By Proportional Representation using Single Transferable Vote
The election to the Legislative Council is held by the system of proportional representation by means of a single transferable vote. This ensures various groups and interests are represented.
Which of the following is NOT a disqualification for being a member of the Legislative Council?
- A Holding an office of profit under the Government of India
- B Being of unsound mind as declared by a court
- C Being an undischarged insolvent
- D Having attained the age of sixty years
Correct answer: Having attained the age of sixty years
Article 191 of the Constitution disqualifies a person for holding an office of profit, being of unsound mind, being an undischarged insolvent, not being an Indian citizen, or being disqualified under a law made by Parliament. It does not disqualify a member for reaching a particular age, and there is no upper age limit for continuing as an MLC.
The resolution to create or abolish the Legislative Council must be passed by the Assembly with:
- A A majority of total membership and 2/3rd present and voting
- B A simple majority of the members who are present and voting only
- C An absolute majority of the total membership of the House
- D A unanimous vote of all members of the House
Correct answer: A majority of total membership and 2/3rd present and voting
A resolution for the creation or abolition of a Legislative Council requires a special majority in the Legislative Assembly. This means a majority of the total membership of the House and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting.
Which state's Legislative Council was recently in the news for a resolution passed by its Assembly to abolish it?
- A Telangana
- B Andhra Pradesh
- C Madhya Pradesh
- D Karnataka
Correct answer: Andhra Pradesh
The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly passed a resolution to abolish its Legislative Council in 2020. However, the final decision rests with the Parliament of India to enact the law for abolition.
What is the primary role of the Legislative Council in the state law-making process?
- A Advisory and delay-inducing body
- B Decisive authority in all matters
- C Sole authority for Money Bills
- D Power to dismiss the Chief Minister
Correct answer: Advisory and delay-inducing body
The Legislative Council is designed to be a revisory chamber that can delay legislation and provide a platform for experts. However, it lacks the power to stop a bill indefinitely or override the will of the directly elected Assembly.