Which one of the following states does not have a bicameral legislature?
2016
Which one of the following states does not have a bicameral legislature?
- A.
Tamil Nadu
- B.
Karnataka
- C.
Uttar Pradesh
- D.
Bihar
Attempted by 5 students.
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: A
Under Article 168 of the Constitution, a state legislature may be unicameral, with only a Legislative Assembly, or bicameral, with both a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council. A Legislative Council is not mandatory for a state — Article 169 allows Parliament to create or abolish one for a state, acting on that state's own Legislative Assembly resolution passed by a special majority.
Tamil Nadu abolished its Legislative Council through the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council (Abolition) Act, 1986, effective 1 November 1986, leaving it with a single-chamber (unicameral) legislature.
Karnataka retains its Legislative Council alongside the Legislative Assembly, so its legislature remains bicameral.
Uttar Pradesh retains its Legislative Council alongside the Legislative Assembly, so its legislature remains bicameral.
Bihar retains its Legislative Council alongside the Legislative Assembly, so its legislature remains bicameral.
As per official reviews of state legislatures, only a small set of states currently have a Legislative Council — Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. Tamil Nadu is not on that list, confirming that among the states listed in the question, Tamil Nadu is the one without a bicameral legislature.