Question

How are members of the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) elected or nominated?

• A. All directly elected by adult franchise
• B. 5/6 elected through various methods and 1/6 nominated by the Governor
• C. 1/2 elected by Assembly and 1/2 nominated by Governor
• D. All nominated by the Governor

Answer 1

Answer:

B. 5/6 elected through various methods and 1/6 nominated by the Governor

Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad):

• Optional Chamber: Exists in only six states as of 2025: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

• Composition: Minimum 40 members, maximum one-third of the Assembly’s strength (Article 171).

• Elected: 5/6 of members, including 1/3 by Assembly members, 1/3 by local bodies (municipalities, district boards), 1/12 by graduates, and 1/12 by teachers, using proportional representation by single transferable vote.

• Nominated: 1/6 by the Governor for expertise in literature, science, art, cooperative movement, or social service.

• Term: Permanent body; one-third members retire every 2 years (6-year term).
  

• Weak Position: The Council’s mixed composition (partly elected, partly nominated) and limited powers make it a secondary chamber, often criticized as redundant.