📜 Article 171 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Composition of the Legislative Councils (Vidhan Parishad)
🔹 Text Summary of Article 171:
Article 171 defines how the Legislative Council (upper house of state legislature, if present) shall be constituted, and how its members are selected.
📌 Key Provisions of Article 171:
| Clause | Provision |
|---|---|
| (1) | The total number of members in the Legislative Council shall not exceed one-third of the total members of the Legislative Assembly, and not be less than 40. (Exception: Jammu & Kashmir before reorganization) |
| (2) | Composition of the Council: |
The members of the Legislative Council are chosen as follows:
| Category | Percentage | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|
| MLAs (Legislative Assembly) | ~1/3rd | Elected by members of the Legislative Assembly |
| Local Authorities (Municipalities, Zila Parishads, etc.) | ~1/3rd | Elected by these bodies |
| Teachers (educational institutions of 3+ years) | ~1/12th | Elected by teachers |
| Graduates (with 3 years' standing) | ~1/12th | Elected by graduates |
| Governor's Nominees (eminent in art, literature, etc.) | ~1/6th | Nominated by Governor |
🧠 Key Takeaways:
-
Legislative Council is the Upper House in a bicameral State legislature.
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The Council is partly elected and partly nominated—reflecting diverse representation.
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Article 171 ensures balance between elected representatives and experts.
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Not all states have a Legislative Council—only 6 states currently do.
🏛️ States with Legislative Councils (as of 2024):
| State | Status |
|---|---|
| Uttar Pradesh | ✅ Yes |
| Bihar | ✅ Yes |
| Maharashtra | ✅ Yes |
| Karnataka | ✅ Yes |
| Andhra Pradesh | ✅ Yes |
| Telangana | ✅ Yes |
⚖️ Related Articles:
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 169 | Abolition/Creation of Legislative Councils |
| 172 | Duration of State Legislatures |
| 84 & 173 | Qualifications for MPs and MLAs/MLCs |
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