State Legislature Practice Questions
20 free State Legislature 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 provides for the organization of State Legislatures?
- A Article 153
- B Article 168
- C Article 174
- D Article 198
Correct answer: Article 168
Article 168 states that for every State there shall be a Legislature which shall consist of the Governor and one or two Houses. This establishes the structural framework for state-level lawmaking bodies.
Which of the following states does NOT have a bicameral legislature as of 2024?
- A Karnataka
- B Maharashtra
- C Andhra Pradesh
- D Madhya Pradesh
Correct answer: Madhya Pradesh
Currently, only six states (Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, and Karnataka) have a Legislative Council. Madhya Pradesh is unicameral, meaning it only has a Legislative Assembly.
What is the maximum strength of a State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) as per the Constitution?
- A 250 members
- B 403 members
- C 550 members
- D 500 members
Correct answer: 500 members
According to Article 170, the Legislative Assembly of each state shall consist of not more than 500 and not less than 60 members. Exceptions exist for smaller states like Goa and Sikkim through specific constitutional provisions.
The total number of members in the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) of a State shall not exceed:
- A One-half of the total members of the Assembly
- B One-third of the total members of the Assembly
- C One-fourth of the total members of the Assembly
- D Fixed at 100 members for all states
Correct answer: One-third of the total members of the Assembly
Article 171 specifies that the total number of members in the Legislative Council shall not exceed one-third of the total number of members in the Legislative Assembly. However, the minimum strength is fixed at 40.
Who has the power to create or abolish a Legislative Council in a state?
- A The Parliament of India
- B The Governor of the State
- C The President of India
- D The State Legislative Assembly
Correct answer: The Parliament of India
Under Article 169, the Parliament can create or abolish a Legislative Council if the Legislative Assembly of that state passes a resolution by a special majority. The final authority to enact the law rests with the Parliament.
What is the minimum age required to become a member of the Legislative Council?
- A 30 years
- B 21 years
- C 25 years
- D 35 years
Correct answer: 30 years
The Constitution mandates a minimum age of 25 years for the Legislative Assembly and 30 years for the Legislative Council. This mirrors the age requirements for Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha respectively.
What is the tenure of an individual member of the State Legislative Council?
- A 6 years
- B 5 years
- C Same as the Legislative Assembly
- D Fixed by the Governor
Correct answer: 6 years
The Legislative Council is a permanent body and not subject to dissolution. Members are elected for a six-year term, with one-third of the members retiring every two years.
How many members of the Legislative Council are nominated by the Governor from among persons having special knowledge in literature, science, art, etc.?
- A 1/6th of total members
- B 1/3rd of total members
- C 1/12th of total members
- D 12 members fixed
Correct answer: 1/6th of total members
The Governor nominates one-sixth of the total members of the Legislative Council. These individuals must have distinction in fields like literature, science, art, cooperative movement, or social service.
Who decides on the disqualification of a member of the State Legislature under the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law)?
- A The Presiding Officer
- B The Governor
- C The Election Commission
- D The High Court
Correct answer: The Presiding Officer
Questions regarding disqualification arising out of defection are decided by the Speaker (for Assembly) or the Chairman (for Council). Their decision is subject to judicial review.
A Money Bill in the State Legislature can be introduced only in:
- A The Legislative Assembly
- B The Legislative Council
- C Either House of the Legislature
- D The Joint Sitting of both Houses
Correct answer: The Legislative Assembly
Similar to the Union Parliament, a Money Bill at the state level can only be introduced in the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha). It requires the prior recommendation of the Governor.
Within how many days must the Legislative Council return a Money Bill to the Legislative Assembly?
- A 14 days
- B 21 days
- C 30 days
- D 60 days
Correct answer: 14 days
The Legislative Council has very limited powers regarding Money Bills and must return the bill within 14 days. If it fails to do so, the bill is deemed passed by both Houses.
Who presides over the Joint Sitting of the State Legislature in case of a deadlock on an ordinary bill?
- A The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly
- B The Chairman of the Legislative Council
- C The Governor
- D No State-Level Joint Sitting Exists
Correct answer: No State-Level Joint Sitting Exists
Unlike the Parliament of India, there is no constitutional provision for a joint sitting to resolve a deadlock between the two houses of a State Legislature. The will of the Assembly ultimately prevails.
Who appoints the Speaker Pro Tem of the State Legislative Assembly?
- A The Chief Minister
- B The State Governor
- C The outgoing Speaker
- D The senior-most member of the House
Correct answer: The State Governor
The Governor appoints a member of the Assembly as Speaker Pro Tem (usually the senior-most member). The primary duty of the Speaker Pro Tem is to administer the oath to new members.
The 'Quorum' to constitute a meeting of the State Legislature is:
- A 1/10th of the total members or 10 members, whichever is greater
- B 1/3rd of the total members or 20 members, whichever is greater
- C 25 members only, irrespective of the total strength of the House
- D 1/5th of the total members or 15 members, whichever is lesser
Correct answer: 1/10th of the total members or 10 members, whichever is greater
Article 189(3) states that the quorum for a meeting of a House of the Legislature of a State is ten members or one-tenth of the total number of members, whichever is greater.
Which Article empowers the Governor to summon, prorogue, and dissolve the State Legislative Assembly?
- A Article 161
- B Article 174
- C Article 200
- D Article 213
Correct answer: Article 174
Article 174 provides the Governor with the authority to summon and prorogue the sessions of the state legislature and dissolve the Legislative Assembly. The Governor usually exercises this on the advice of the Council of Ministers.
What happens to a Bill pending in the Legislative Council which has not been passed by the Legislative Assembly when the Assembly dissolves?
- A The Bill lapses.
- B The Bill does not lapse.
- C The Bill is sent to the President.
- D The Bill is automatically passed.
Correct answer: The Bill does not lapse.
A bill that is pending in the Legislative Council but has not yet been passed by the Legislative Assembly does not lapse upon the dissolution of the Assembly. This ensures that the Council's independent work is not entirely lost.
Who is the final authority to decide the meaning of the Rules of Procedure within the State Legislative Assembly?
- A The Governor
- B The House Speaker
- C The Chief Minister
- D The Advocate General
Correct answer: The House Speaker
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly is the final interpreter of the provisions of the Constitution, the Rules of Procedure, and the legislative precedents within the House.
The Legislative Council members elected by the graduates of universities in the state constitute what fraction of the total members?
- A 1/3rd
- B 1/6th
- C 1/12th
- D 1/10th
Correct answer: 1/12th
Under Article 171, one-twelfth of the members are elected by persons who have been graduates for at least three years and are residing within the state. Another one-twelfth is elected by teachers of at least three years' standing.
Under Article 200, when a Bill is presented to the Governor, which of the following is NOT an option for him?
- A Give assent to the Bill
- B Withhold assent to the Bill
- C Reserve the Bill for the consideration of the President
- D Dissolve the House instead of acting on the Bill
Correct answer: Dissolve the House instead of acting on the Bill
When a bill is presented, the Governor can give assent, withhold assent, return the bill (if not a Money Bill), or reserve it for the President. Dissolving the house is an independent executive power and not a method of dealing with a specific bill.
Which body is responsible for conducting elections to the State Legislature?
- A The State Election Commission
- B Election Commission of India
- C The Governor's Office
- D Ministry of Home Affairs
Correct answer: Election Commission of India
The Election Commission of India is responsible for conducting elections to the Parliament and the State Legislatures. The State Election Commission is only responsible for local body elections (Panchayats and Municipalities).