Question

Question: How many Indian States have bicameral Legislature?
(a) 6
(b) 4
(c) 2
(d) 7

Answer 1

Hint: Bicameralism is the process of having two houses of Parliament. At the state level, the equivalent of the Lok Sabha is the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly), and that of the Rajya Sabha is the Vidhan Parishad (Legislative council).

Complete Answer:
Features of Bicameral Legislature:
1. Dual representation- Dual representation increases the probability that legislators and constituents will have direct contact and that citizens will get a hearing.
2. Responsiveness to the majority- Double representation in the bicameral legislature fosters the balanced representation of rival interests
Responsive to diverse and minority interests- The bicameral Legislative process is more likely to give voice and protect the rights and interests of various minorities.
3. Accountability and simplicity- It helps in fostering accountability and leads to procedural simplicity. There are many countries with bicameral Legislatures. The method of appointment, term, varies from place to place. Presently Six Indian States have bicameral legislature they are Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar, Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Maharashtra, these are called legislative councils, one-third of whom are elected every two years. Abolition or creation- Article 169
4. The Parliament can abolish a legislative council or create it by a simple majority that is a majority of each house present and voting if the legislative assembly of the relevant state by a special majority passes a resolution to that effect.

So, the correct answer is Option A

Note: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh all have bicameral legislatures, and the rest have Unicameral legislatures. Under Article 171 of the Indian constitution, the legislative council of the state shall not have more than one-third of the total strength of the state assembly.