Which article of the Constitution provides for the State Legislative Assemblies?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Explanation
Correct Answer
Article 168
Explanation
Article 168 of the Constitution of India provides for the constitution of Legislatures in States. This article establishes that for every State, there shall be a Legislature which shall consist of the Governor and one or two Houses, depending on the state's specific structure. In states where there are two Houses, they are known as the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) and the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha). In states with only one House, it is called the Legislative Assembly.
The overarching goal of Article 168 is to lay down the foundational framework for the state-level representative democracy in India. While Article 168 introduces the overall composition of state legislatures, other subsequent articles delve into specific details. For instance, Article 170 specifically deals with the internal composition and seat allocation of the Legislative Assemblies, and Article 172 prescribes the duration or tenure of these state legislatures.
Key Points
The State Legislature acts as the primary law-making body for subjects listed under the State List and the Concurrent List of the Seventh Schedule. While every single Indian state is mandated to have a Legislative Assembly, only a few states possess a bicameral legislature containing a Legislative Council. In contrast, Article 174 empowers the Governor to summon, prorogue, and dissolve the state legislative chambers under specific constitutional mechanisms.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: Which article of the Indian Constitution specifically details the composition and maximum/minimum strength of the Legislative Assemblies?
Answer: Article 170
Question: What is the maximum permitted strength of members in a State Legislative Assembly as prescribed by the Constitution?
Answer: 500 members