SSC
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh are the states that have:
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Answer: Option B — A bicameral legislature
Detailed Solution
Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh are the six states that have a bicameral legislature, which means they have both a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad).
Bicameral versus unicameral:
- A bicameral legislature has two Houses.
- A unicameral legislature has only one House.
- The remaining states of India have only a Legislative Assembly.
How Councils are created or abolished:
- Under Article 169, Parliament can create or abolish a Legislative Council if the state Legislative Assembly passes a resolution by a special majority.
- Such a law is not treated as an amendment of the Constitution under Article 368.
Recent changes:
- Jammu and Kashmir had a Legislative Council until the state was reorganised into Union territories.
- Andhra Pradesh had abolished and later revived its Council.
- Telangana inherited a Council when it was formed out of Andhra Pradesh.
- Several states, such as Rajasthan, Assam and Odisha, have passed resolutions to create Councils, but Parliament has not yet passed the required laws.
- West Bengal abolished its Council in 1969, and Punjab in 1970.
Composition of a Council:
- Members are partly elected by local bodies, the Assembly, graduates and teachers, and partly nominated.
- The Council is a permanent House and cannot be dissolved.
Powers of the Council:
- It can delay ordinary bills but cannot block them permanently.
- It has only an advisory role on Money Bills.
- The government is responsible only to the Assembly.
Arguments for and against Councils:
- Supporters say they allow experts and experienced people to take part in law-making and provide a second look at bills.
- Critics say they are expensive, cause delay and are used to accommodate politicians who lose elections.
Why not the other options?
- ✗A unicameral legislature means only one House.
- ✗Special category status and Union territory status relate to other matters.
Quick tip
Remember: Six states with Legislative Councils = Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh.
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State Executive & Legislature — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of State Executive & Legislature, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers government at the state level: the Governor, the Chief Minister and the State Council of Ministers, the Advocate General, the State Legislature, including the legislative councils in states that have them, and the special provisions for certain states. Questions usually cover the appointment and powers of the Governor, the Governor's discretionary powers, which states have a bicameral legislature, and how a legislative council is created or abolished (Article 169). Remember that the Governor is appointed by the President and holds office during the President's pleasure. Practise the state executive and legislature questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.