Q90. What is the maximum strength of a State Legislative Assembly?
[OSSSC CRE Prelims (10 Nov 2025, Shift 1)]
A. 500
B. 600
C. 550
D. 400
Answer: A. 500
Explanation: Article 170 sets the ordinary maximum strength of a State Legislative Assembly at five hundred members, chosen directly from territorial constituencies. The ordinary minimum is sixty, but smaller states have special statutory or constitutional exceptions.
Q89. Members of the State Legislative Assembly are elected by whom?
[OSSSC CRE Prelims (6 Nov 2025, Shift 1)]
A. President
B. Governor
C. People of the State
D. Prime Minister
Answer: C. People of the State
Explanation: Members of a State Legislative Assembly are chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies. Eligible adult voters elect one representative from each constituency. The Governor does not appoint ordinary MLAs, and Council elections use a different, largely indirect process.
Q88. The State Legislative Council, where present, acts primarily as what?
[OSSSC CRE Prelims (1 Nov 2025, Shift 3)]
A. A financial body
B. A judicial authority
C. The executive authority of the State
D. An upper house for reviewing legislation
Answer: D. An upper house for reviewing legislation
Explanation: The Legislative Council functions as a revising chamber for ordinary legislation passed by the Assembly. It may discuss, suggest changes and delay certain bills, but it cannot permanently veto an Assembly-originated ordinary bill or control the government’s survival.
Q87. How are members of the State Legislative Council selected?
[OSSSC CRE Prelims (31 Oct 2025, Shift 2)]
A. Entirely nominated by the Governor
B. Appointed by the President
C. Through a mixed method of election and nomination
D. Elected directly by the people
Answer: C. Through a mixed method of election and nomination
Explanation: Article 171 establishes a mixed system of indirect election and gubernatorial nomination. Local authorities, Assembly members, graduates and teachers elect different shares; the Governor nominates the remaining members from specified fields such as literature, science and social service.
Q86. Who dissolves the State Legislative Assembly?
[OSSSC CRE Prelims (27 Oct 2025, Shift 1)]
A. Supreme Court
B. Governor
C. Chief Minister
D. Speaker
Answer: B. Governor
Explanation: The constitutional authority to dissolve a State Legislative Assembly rests with the Governor under Article 174. The Governor ordinarily exercises this power on ministerial advice. Dissolution ends the Assembly, whereas prorogation merely ends a legislative session.
Q85. The tenure of a State Legislative Assembly is generally how long?
[OSSSC CRE Prelims (16 Oct 2025, Shift 3)]
A. Three years
B. Until the Governor decides
C. Five years
D. Six years
Answer: C. Five years
Explanation: Article 172 fixes the normal Assembly term at five years from the date appointed for its first meeting, unless dissolved sooner. Parliament may extend this term during a national emergency, subject to strict one-year and post-emergency limits.
Q84. Article 170 of the Constitution states that the State Legislative Assembly can have a maximum of how many members?
[UPSSSC PET (7 Sep 2025, Shift 1)]
A. 480
B. 530
C. 500
D. 450
E. None of the above
Answer: C. 500
Explanation: The general ceiling for the number of directly elected Assembly members is five hundred under Article 170. Parliamentary delimitation legislation determines seats and constituencies. Smaller states can have fewer than sixty members under special provisions.
Q83. Which of the following is a feature of the State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad)?
[RRB NTPC UG CBT-I (28 Aug 2025, Shift 3)]
A. It can be dissolved like the Legislative Assembly
B. Its members are elected directly by all voters
C. It has a fixed term of five years
D. It is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved
Answer: D. It is a permanent body and cannot be dissolved
Explanation: A Legislative Council is a continuing chamber, unlike the Legislative Assembly, which can be dissolved. Its members normally serve six-year terms, with roughly one-third retiring every two years. This ensures continuity while allowing periodic renewal of membership.
Q82. Which state has a bicameral legislature?
[SSC Selection Post Graduate (31 Jul 2025, Shift 3)]
A. Tamil Nadu
B. West Bengal
C. Maharashtra
D. Gujarat
Answer: C. Maharashtra
Explanation: Maharashtra has a Vidhan Sabha and a Vidhan Parishad. Tamil Nadu, West Bengal and Gujarat are unicameral. In Maharashtra, the Council acts as the upper house and includes members elected from several constituencies and nominated by the Governor.
Q81. What is the maximum number of members in a State Legislative Assembly as per the Constitution?
[SSC Selection Post Graduate (29 Jul 2025, Shift 3)]
A. 450
B. 500
C. 550
D. 600
Answer: B. 500
Explanation: The number five hundred is the constitutional upper limit for an ordinary State Legislative Assembly under Article 170. Members are elected directly. The sixty-member general lower limit is subject to exceptions created for several smaller states.
