What is the minimum strength of the Legislative Council?
40 members
According to the Constitution of India, regarding the State Legislative Council:
- The size of the State Legislative Council cannot be more than one-third of the membership of the State Legislative Assembly.
- However, its size cannot be less than 40 members.
Therefore, the minimum strength of a Legislative Council is 40 members.
40 members
✅ Correct Answer: 40 members
📘 Detailed Explanation:
The Legislative Council is the upper house in the bicameral legislature of certain Indian states. It is similar to the Rajya Sabha at the central level.
🔹 Relevant Constitutional Provision:
Under Article 171(1) of the Indian Constitution:
"The total number of members in the Legislative Council of a state shall not exceed one-third of the total number of members in the Legislative Assembly of that state, and shall in no case be less than 40 members."
🧮 Important Numbers:
| Criteria | Provision |
|---|---|
| Maximum strength | 1/3rd of the strength of the State Legislative Assembly |
| Minimum strength | 40 members (except for Jammu & Kashmir earlier under special provisions) |
40 members
The correct answer is:
✅ 40 members
Detailed Explanation:
1. Constitutional Basis (Article 171)
- The minimum strength of a State Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) is governed by:
- Article 171(1) of the Indian Constitution.
- Minimum members: 40
- Maximum members: 1/3rd of the Legislative Assembly strength (but not exceeding 100).
2. Current Examples
States with smallest Councils:
- Jammu & Kashmir (before reorganization): 36 members (now dissolved)
- Telangana: 40 members (minimum strength)
States with largest Councils:
- Uttar Pradesh: 100 members (maximum allowed)
3. Composition Rules
The Council's members come from:
- 1/3rd elected by MLAs
- 1/3rd by local bodies
- 1/12th by teachers
- 1/12th by graduates
- 1/6th nominated by the Governor
4. Why Not Other Options?
| Option | Why Incorrect? |
|---|---|
| 100 members | Maximum strength (e.g., UP), not minimum. |
| 60 members | Required for Legislative Assemblies (Article 170), not Councils. |
| 15 members | No constitutional provision for such a low number. |
5. Special Case
- Proviso to Article 171(1): Parliament can fix a lower minimum for smaller states (e.g., Puducherry proposed 30 members), but 40 remains the general rule.
Final Answer:
✅ 40 members (The minimum strength of a State Legislative Council is 40 as per Article 171.)
Did You Know?
Only 6 states in India currently have Legislative Councils:
- Andhra Pradesh
- Karnataka
- Telangana
- Maharashtra
- Bihar
- Uttar Pradesh
Important Questions from Local Government
Which one of the following is not a power of Panchayats under Article 243G?
- Panchayati Raj Institutions are primarily the institutions of
Which one of the following provisions of the Constitution of India deals with District Planning Committee?
Which one of the following is NOT a subject that has been devolved to the Panchyati Raj Institutions by the 11 th Schedule of the Constitution of India?
Which of the following are the basic features of the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act ?
1. Provides for a three-tier structure of panchayats in the village, intermediary and district levels.
2. Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and women in all the tiers of panchayats.
3. Election to panchayats under the supervision of the State Election Commissions.
4. Introduction of the 11 th Schedule to the Constitution.
Select the correct answer using the code given below :
