Extra 20 important long questions and answers from the State Legislature chapter of Class 11 Political Science:
1. What is the structure of the State Legislature in India?
Answer:
The State Legislature in India can be unicameral or bicameral:
Unicameral Legislature
: Only
Legislative Assembly (
Vidhan
Sabha)
exists.
Bicameral Legislature
: Includes both
Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council (
Vidhan
Parishad)
.
The
Governor
is a part of the State Legislature in both cases.
The Legislative Assembly is
directly elected
by the people.
The Legislative Council is a
permanent house
and is
indirectly elected
.
Only
7 states
(e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Bihar) have a
Legislative Council
.
The Legislature is responsible for
law-making, controlling the Executive, and approving the budget
.
2. What are the functions and powers of the State Legislature?
Answer:
The State Legislature has three main powers:
1. Legislative Powers
Makes laws
on subjects in the
State List
(e.g., police, health, agriculture).
Can make laws on the
Concurrent List
, but Parliament has the final authority.
Ordinances issued by the Governor must be
approved
by the Legislature.
2. Financial Powers
Controls the
state budget and taxation policies
.
Approves or rejects
financial bills and taxation proposals.
Legislative Assembly controls the finances
; the Council has a limited role.
3. Executive Control
The Legislature
can remove the Chief Minister
by a no-confidence motion.
3. What are the differences between the Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council?
Answer:
|
Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) |
Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) |
|---|---|
|
Lower house of the State Legislature |
Upper house of the State Legislature |
|
Members are directly elected |
Members are indirectly elected |
|
Can pass Money Bills |
Can only review Money Bills |
|
Can be dissolved every 5 years |
Permanent body, 1/3rd members retire every 2 years |
|
More powerful in law-making |
Limited powers |
4. What are the qualifications required to become a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA)?
Answer:
To be eligible as an MLA, a person must:
Be a
citizen of India
.
Be at least
25 years old
.
Be a
registered voter
in the state.
Not hold any
office of profit
under the government.
Not be
insane or bankrupt
.
Have no
criminal disqualification
as per election laws.
Be elected by
direct elections from constituencies
.
5. What is the role of the Governor in the State Legislature?
Answer:
The Governor plays a crucial role in the State Legislature:
Summons and prorogues
(discontinues without dissolving) the sessions.
Dissolves the Legislative Assembly
when necessary.
Gives assent to bills
passed by the Legislature.
Can
return bills for reconsideration
.
Reserves some bills
for the President’s approval.
Can
nominate members
to the Legislative Council.
In a financial emergency,
grants money from the State Contingency Fund
.
6. What are the powers and functions of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly?
Answer:
The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly:
Presides over
Assembly sessions.
Maintains order and discipline
in debates.
Decides whether a bill is a Money Bill
.
Allows or disallows questions
and discussions.
Supervises voting and counting
during legislative processes.
Takes decisions under the anti-defection law
.
Represents the Assembly in
constitutional matters
.
7. How is a Money Bill passed in the State Legislature?
Answer:
A Money Bill follows this process:
Can be introduced
only in the Legislative Assembly
.
The
Governor’s approval is needed
before introducing the bill.
The
Legislative Assembly debates and votes
on the bill.
Sent to the
Legislative Council
, which
can only suggest changes
(not reject it).
Returns to the Assembly
for final approval.
Sent to the
Governor for assent
.
Once signed, it
becomes a law
.
8. What is the role of the Legislative Council in law-making?
Answer:
The Legislative Council has a limited role in law-making:
Reviews and suggests changes
to bills passed by the Assembly.
Can
delay an Ordinary Bill for 4 months
but cannot reject it permanently.
Cannot
reject or amend Money Bills
.
Can
discuss state policies
and pass
resolutions
.
Acts as a
permanent house
, ensuring legislative continuity.
Gives
experts and educated citizens
a role in legislation.
Can
introduce non-financial bills
.
9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of having a Legislative Council?
Answer:
Advantages
Provides
expert opinion
on laws.
Acts as a
revising chamber
for better law-making.
Helps in
preventing hasty decisions
by the Assembly.
Disadvantages
Creates
delays in law-making
.
Not an essential body
, as seen in most states.
Increases
government expenses
.
Can be
dominated by ruling party appointees
.
10. How can the Legislative Council be abolished?
Answer:
A state’s Legislative Council can be abolished by:
The
Legislative Assembly passing a resolution
.
The resolution needs a
special majority
(two-thirds of members present and voting).
The
Parliament of India must approve
it.
The
President of India gives final assent
.
The Council is
dissolved after approval
.
11. Explain the process of electing members to the Legislative Council.
Answer:
Members of the Legislative Council (
Vidhan
Parishad) are elected indirectly.
One-third of members
are elected by the members of the Legislative Assembly.
One-twelfth of members
are elected by graduates of the state.
One-third
are elected by local authority members (municipalities, district boards).
One-sixth
are nominated by the Governor, representing
distinguished individuals
like teachers, professionals, and experts.
The elections are conducted by
single transferable vote system
.
The term of office is
6 years
, and
one-third members retire every two years
.
12. What are the main differences between the Parliament and the State Legislature?
Answer:
|
Parliament |
State Legislature |
|---|---|
|
Consists of two houses: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. |
Can be unicameral or bicameral: Legislative Assembly and Council. |
|
Elected members: Lok Sabha (directly), Rajya Sabha (indirectly). |
Legislative Assembly members are elected directly, Legislative Council members are elected indirectly. |
|
Makes laws on Union List and Concurrent List. |
Makes laws on State List and some parts of the Concurrent List. |
|
Parliament holds greater powers over financial matters. |
State Legislature has limited powers over financial matters. |
|
The President is part of the Parliament. |
The Governor is part of the State Legislature. |
|
Lok Sabha members are elected for 5 years. |
Legislative Assembly members are also elected for 5 years. |
|
Rajya Sabha is a permanent house, while Lok Sabha can be dissolved. |
The Legislative Assembly can be dissolved, while the Council is a permanent body. |
13. How can the State Legislature remove a Chief Minister?
Answer:
The
Legislative Assembly
can remove a Chief Minister through a
no-confidence motion
.
The
motion must be signed by at least 50 members
of the Assembly.
The Speaker of the Assembly calls for a
debate and voting
.
If the
majority of members vote against
the Chief Minister, the motion passes.
The
Chief Minister resigns
or is dismissed by the Governor.
A
new Chief Minister is appointed
based on majority support.
This process ensures
accountability
to the Legislative Assembly.
14. Explain the law-making process in the State Legislature.
Answer:
Introduction of the Bill
: A Bill is introduced in the
Legislative Assembly
or
Legislative Council
.
First Reading
: The Bill is read and discussed briefly.
Second Reading
: Detailed discussion and voting on the Bill’s principles.
Committee Stage
: The Bill is sent to a
committee
for detailed examination.
Third Reading
: The final version of the Bill is debated and voted on.
If passed by the Assembly, it moves to the
Legislar
y
Council
(in bicameral states) for approval.
After approval by both Houses, the Bill is sent to the
Governor
for
assent
, after which it becomes law.
15. How does the State Legislature ensure accountability of the government?
Answer:
The Legislature ensures
accountability
through
question hour
and
debates
.
The
Chief Minister and Ministers
answer questions on government policies and activities.
No-confidence motions
can be introduced to remove the government.
Debates on issues
like governance and corruption are regularly held.
The
Governor
can dissolve the Assembly if the government loses the confidence of the House.
The
State Legislature
controls the budget and expenditure, ensuring
financial accountability
.
Committees
like Public Accounts Committee scrutinize government spending.
16. What is the difference between the Governor and the Chief Minister?
Answer:
Governor
: Appointed by the
President
and represents the
central government
in the state.
Chief Minister
: Head of the
state government
, elected from the
majority party
in the Legislative Assembly.
The
Governor’s powers are more formal
, while the
Chief Minister exercises real executive power
.
The Governor can
appoint and remove the Chief Minister
, while the CM can
advise
the Governor on state matters.
The Governor
summons and dissolves
the Legislative Assembly, while the CM
manages the day-to-day governance
.
The
Governor
is more ceremonial, while the
Chief Minister
plays an active role in governance.
The Governor
approves bills
, while the CM
runs the state’s administration
.
17. What is the Anti-Defection Law? How does it apply to MLAs?
Answer:
The
Anti-Defection Law
is designed to prevent
political defections
and promote party loyalty.
It was introduced through the
10th Schedule
of the Indian Constitution.
An MLA can be disqualified if they
change parties
after being elected.
The
Speaker of the Assembly
decides defection cases.
If an MLA
votes against their party’s direction
, they may face disqualification.
An
exception is made
for mergers between political parties.
The law ensures that
elected representatives remain accountable
to their party and voters.
18. What is the procedure to dissolve the Legislative Assembly?
Answer:
The
Governor
can dissolve the Legislative Assembly on the advice of the
Chief Minister
.
If the
Chief Minister loses majority support
in the Assembly, the Governor may dissolve it.
The
Governor can dissolve the Assembly
when the
term of five years is over
.
The
Election Commission conducts fresh elections
within six months of dissolution.
The
Governor has the discretion
to decide whether the state requires dissolution or
President’s Rule
.
Political instability
or
no majority support
leads to the Assembly’s dissolution.
Dissolution leads to
fresh elections
to form a new government.
19. What are the emergency powers of the Governor in the Legislature?
Answer:
The Governor can
recommend President’s Rule
in case of
political instability
or if the Assembly cannot function.
In case of
financial emergencies
, the Governor can
propose financial measures
to ensure state functioning.
If the
Chief Minister loses majority support
, the Governor can
dissolve the Assembly
.
The Governor can
reserve bills for the President’s consideration
under certain circumstances.
The Governor can
proclaim a state emergency
if the law and order situation
deteriorates
.
In case of failure of constitutional machinery, the
Governor can report to the President
for
imposing President’s Rule
.
The Governor has the power to
override certain decisions
to safeguard state interests.
20. What happens if the State Legislature passes a bill but the Governor refuses to sign it?
Answer:
The Governor can
withhold assent
to the Bill under
Article 200
of the Constitution.
The Governor can
send the Bill back to the Legislature
for reconsideration.
The
Governor can reserve the Bill
for the
President’s consideration
if it is of national importance.
The
Legislature can re-pass the Bill
even without the Governor’s assent.
If the Governor withholds assent, the Bill may be
deadlocked
unless the President intervenes.
The Governor must act in the
best interest
of the state, respecting the Assembly’s will.
The Governor can
delay a bill
, but cannot
permanently refuse
assent.
