As of October 2020, how many Indian states have bicameral legislatures?

Correct option is D

​The correct answer is (d) Six

Explanation:

As of October 2020, six Indian states have bicameral legislatures, meaning they have both a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad).

These states are:

1. Andhra Pradesh
2. Bihar
3. Karnataka
4. Maharashtra
5. Telangana
6. Uttar Pradesh

Currently, six Indian states have a Legislative Council (also known as Vidhan Parishad): Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. 

Information Booster:

Chapter III of the Constitution of India, 1950 deals withState Legislature (Articles 168 to 177)

Composition of the State Legislature

• Article 168: Deals with the constitution of the state legislature.
• There are two types of state legislatures:
• Unicameral Legislature: Composed of the Governor and the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
• Bicameral Legislature: Composed of the Governor, Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad), and Legislartive Assembly.

Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)

• Article 170: Deals with the composition of the Legislative Assembly.
• Known as the lower house or popular house.
• Most powerful body in the state legislature.
• Directly elected by people based on universal adult franchise.
• Members:
• Not more than 500 and not less than 60 members.
• Elected from territorial constituencies.
• Constituencies are adjusted after each census to maintain a proportional ratio between the population and seats.
• Presiding Officer:
• Elected among members as the Speaker.

Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad)

• Article 169: Deals with the abolition or creation of Legislative Councils in states.
• If the Legislative Assembly passes a resolution by a majority of the total membership and at least two-thirds of the members present, the Legislative Council can be created.
• Known as the upper house of the state legislature.
• Does not exist in all states.
• States with a Legislative Council: Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Jammu & Kashmir.
• Article 171: Deals with the composition of the Legislative Council.
• The total number of members should not exceed one-third of the total members in the Legislative Assembly.
• Members are partly elected and partly nominated.
• Presiding Officer: Elected among members as the Chairman.