The Indian Constitution, through Articles 168 to 177, outlines the structure, formation, powers, and duration of the State Legislatures. These articles guide the creation, abolition, composition, functioning, and membership rules for State Legislative Assemblies and Councils across India.

BulletsIn

• Every state has a legislature: either one or two houses
• Two-house states include Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, J&K
• Legislative Council (Upper House) can be created or abolished by Parliament on state resolution
• Legislative Assembly (Lower House) has 60–500 directly elected members from constituencies
• No change in seat distribution until after the first census post-2026 is published
• Legislative Council can’t exceed one-third strength of Assembly; must have at least 40 members
• Council members selected via local bodies, graduates, teachers, MLAs, and Governor nominations
• Assembly term is five years; Council is permanent with one-third retiring every two years
• Governor can address Houses and send messages; special address at Assembly’s first session yearly
• Ministers and Advocate-General have speaking rights in both Houses without voting rights