Extra 30 short questions and answers from the chapter State Legislature of Class 11 Political Science:

1. What is a State Legislature?

Answer:
A State Legislature is the law-making body of a state in India. It can be:

Unicameral (only Legislative Assembly) or

Bicameral (Legislative Assembly + Legislative Council).
The Governor is also an important part of the legislature.

 

2. What are the two types of State Legislatures in India?

Answer:
There are two types of State Legislatures:

Unicameral Legislature – Only Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha), present in most states.

Bicameral Legislature – Both Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad), present in 7 states (e.g., Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka).

 

3. What is the composition of the Legislative Assembly?

Answer:

The Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) is the lower house of the State Legislature.

Its strength ranges from 40 to 500 members.

Members are elected directly by the people.

The term is 5 years but can be dissolved earlier by the Governor.

 

4. How are members of the Legislative Assembly elected?

Answer:

Members are directly elected by voters in the state.

Elections are based on the universal adult franchise (all citizens above 18 years can vote).

Seats are reserved for SCs and STs.

The term of office is 5 years but can be dissolved earlier.

 

5. What is the composition of the Legislative Council?

Answer:

The Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) is the upper house in a bicameral state legislature.

It is a permanent house, with 1/3rd members retiring every 2 years.

The total strength cannot exceed 1/3rd of the Assembly (minimum 40 members).

Members are indirectly elected or nominated by the Governor.

 

6. What is the role of the Governor in the State Legislature?

Answer:

The Governor summons, prorogues, and dissolves the Assembly.

Signs bills into law or sends them for reconsideration.

Can recommend President’s Rule if the government is unstable.

Has the power to nominate members to the Legislative Council.

 

7. What is the role of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly?

Answer:

Presides over Assembly sessions.

Maintains order and allows discussions.

Decides on anti-defection cases under the 10th Schedule.

Supervises voting and bill passage.

 

8. What is a Money Bill? Who can introduce it in the State Legislature?

Answer:

A Money Bill deals with state finances, taxation, and expenditure.

It can be introduced only in the Legislative Assembly.

The Speaker decides if a bill is a Money Bill.

The Legislative Council has no power over a Money Bill; it can only suggest changes.

 

9. How can the State Legislature control the Executive?

Answer:

Asking questions in the Assembly.

Passing a no-confidence motion against the government.

Rejecting or amending bills and budgets.

Discussing policies and financial matters.

 

10. How is the Chief Minister appointed?

Answer:

The Governor appoints the leader of the majority party in the Legislative Assembly.

The Chief Minister takes the oath of office before the Governor.

The CM must prove majority support in the Assembly.

 

11. What happens if a Money Bill is rejected by the Legislative Council?

Answer:

The Council cannot reject a Money Bill.

It must return the Bill within 14 days with recommendations.

The Assembly can accept or ignore the recommendations.

The bill becomes law even if the Council rejects it.

 

12. How can a State Legislative Assembly be dissolved?

Answer:

The Governor dissolves the Assembly on the advice of the Chief Minister.

The Assembly can be dissolved before 5 years in case of a political crisis.

If President’s Rule is imposed, the Assembly is dismissed.

 

13. What is the term of the Legislative Council?

Answer:

The Council is a permanent house.

1/3rd of its members retire every 2 years.

New members are elected or nominated to replace them.

 

14. What is the process of passing a bill in the State Legislature?

Answer:

First Reading: Introduction in the Legislative Assembly.

Second Reading: Detailed discussion and amendments.

Third Reading: Final approval by the Assembly.

Sent to Legislative Council (if bicameral).

Governor’s approval makes it a law.

 

15. What is the role of the State Legislature in law-making?

Answer:

Discusses and passes bills.

Approves financial policies and the budget.

Controls the Executive through debates and motions.

 

16. How can the Legislative Council be abolished?

Answer:

The Legislative Assembly passes a resolution.

Parliament approves it with a simple majority.

The President gives final approval.

 

17. What is the difference between the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council?

Legislative Assembly	Legislative Council
Directly elected	Indirectly elected
Has more powers	Limited powers
Can be dissolved	Permanent body

 

18. Who elects the members of the Legislative Council?

Answer:

1/3rd – MLAs

1/3rd – Local bodies

1/6th – Governor’s nominees

1/12th – Teachers

1/12th – Graduates

 

19. Who appoints the Advocate General of the state?

Answer: The Governor appoints the Advocate General to advise on legal matters.

 

20. What are the qualifications to become an MLA?

Answer:

Must be a citizen of India.

At least 25 years old.

Must be a voter in the state.

 

21. What is the role of the Chief Minister in the State Legislature?

Answer:

The Chief Minister is the head of the government in a state.

He/She advises the Governor on legislative matters.

The CM is responsible for implementing laws passed by the Legislature.

He/She leads the Council of Ministers and ensures governance.

 

22. What happens in case of a hung Assembly?

Answer:

A hung Assembly occurs when no party gets a majority in elections.

The Governor invites the largest party to form the government.

If no party secures a majority, coalition governments are formed.

If no government is possible, President’s Rule may be imposed.

 

23. What is the difference between a Money Bill and an Ordinary Bill?

Answer:

Money Bill	Ordinary Bill
Deals with taxation, budget, and financial matters.	Deals with general laws.
Introduced only in the Legislative Assembly.	Can be introduced in either house.
Approved by the Governor.	Can be sent for reconsideration.
The Council has no power to reject it.	The Council can reject or amend it.

 

24. What is the role of the Governor in the State Budget?

Answer:

The Governor presents the annual budget to the Legislature.

Money Bills cannot be introduced without the Governor’s approval.

He/She has the power to grant funds in emergencies.

The Governor can suggest changes in financial matters.

 

25. How is the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly chosen?

Answer:

The Speaker is elected by the members of the Assembly.

He/She conducts legislative proceedings and maintains discipline.

The Speaker decides on Money Bills and voting rights.

The Speaker also takes decisions on anti-defection cases.

 

26. How does the Legislative Council influence law-making?

Answer:

It reviews and suggests amendments to bills passed by the Assembly.

It can delay ordinary bills for a maximum of 4 months.

It cannot reject Money Bills but can offer recommendations.

Its main role is to act as a revising chamber for laws.

 

27. What are the financial powers of the Legislative Assembly?

Answer:

The Assembly controls the budget and state finances.

It approves taxation policies and government spending.

It has the power to pass or reject Money Bills.

Without Assembly approval, the government cannot spend state funds.

 

28. How is the Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly appointed?

Answer:

The members of the Legislative Assembly elect the Deputy Speaker.

The Deputy Speaker acts in the absence of the Speaker.

He/She helps in maintaining order and discipline in the Assembly.

The Deputy Speaker performs the Speaker’s duties if needed.

 

29. How does the Governor exercise legislative power?

Answer:

The Governor can summon and dissolve the Assembly.

He/She gives assent to bills passed by the Legislature.

The Governor can reserve bills for the President’s approval.

He/She can also nominate members to the Legislative Council.

 

30. What is the importance of the State Legislature in governance?

Answer:

It makes laws on state subjects (e.g., police, agriculture).

It controls the Executive through debates and motions.

It approves financial policies and the budget.

It ensures democratic governance at the state level.