Article 172 – Duration of Legislative Assemblies
Quick Reference: Term of state assemblies
Every Legislative Assembly of a State, unless sooner dissolved, shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting.
Article 171 – Composition of Legislative Assemblies
Quick Reference: State assemblies composition
Each State shall have a Legislative Assembly consisting of representatives of the people chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the State as specified by law.
Article 173 – Qualifications for membership
Quick Reference: MLA eligibility
No person shall be chosen to be a member of the Legislative Assembly unless he is a citizen of India and satisfies other qualifications prescribed by law.
Article 174 – Sessions of the Legislature
Quick Reference: Assembly sessions and procedure
(1) The Governor shall from time to time summon the Legislative Assembly and prorogue it. (2) The Legislative Assembly shall not remain without meeting for more than six months.
Article 175 – Right of Governor to address
Quick Reference: Governor’s address
The Governor may address the Legislative Assembly and send messages relating to bills or other matters requiring attention.
Article 176 – Constitution of Legislative Councils
Quick Reference: Upper House in states (if applicable)
Some States may have a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) and the composition shall be as provided by the Constitution or law.
Article 177 – Legislative Councils’ duration and procedure
Quick Reference: Term & rules for councils
The Legislative Council of a State, unless dissolved earlier, shall continue for six years; one‑third of members retire every two years, and rules for procedure shall be as prescribed.
Article 178 – Speaker of Legislative Assembly
Quick Reference: Election of Speaker
The Legislative Assembly shall choose a Speaker and Deputy Speaker from among its members, determining their powers and privileges.
Article 179 – Vacation of seats
Quick Reference: Speaker/MLA seat rules
Provisions for vacation, resignation, or disqualification of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, and members as per Constitution.
Article 180 – Appropriation of funds
Quick Reference: State budget rules
No expenditure shall be made from the Consolidated Fund of a State except under an appropriation by law made by the State Legislature.
Article 181 – Assent to Bills
Quick Reference: Governor’s approval of state bills
After a bill is passed by the Legislature, it shall be presented to the Governor who may assent, withhold assent, or return it (if not a money bill) with recommendations.
Article 182 – Powers during recess
Quick Reference: Governor ordinances
When the Legislative Assembly is not in session, the Governor may promulgate ordinances having the same force as laws passed by the Legislature.
Article 183 – Sessions & procedure of Legislative Councils
Quick Reference: Council meetings & rules
The Legislative Council, if existing, shall have rules for summoning, proroguing, and conducting sessions and maintaining order.
Article 184 – Powers of Legislative Councils
Quick Reference: Council powers
The Legislative Council has the power to discuss, delay, or suggest amendments to bills but cannot reject money bills.
Article 185 – Chairman & Deputy Chairman
Quick Reference: Leadership of Council
The Legislative Council shall elect a Chairman and Deputy Chairman to preside over meetings and maintain order.
Article 186 – Vacation & resignation of Council seats
Quick Reference: Council member rules
Provisions for vacation, resignation, or disqualification of members of the Legislative Council as per law.
Article 187 – Officers & secretariat of Legislative Council
Quick Reference: Council administration
The Legislative Council shall have officers and a secretariat to conduct business efficiently.
Article 188 – Salaries & allowances of MLAs & MLCs
Quick Reference: State legislators’ pay
The salaries and allowances of members of the State Legislature shall be prescribed by the State Legislature by law.
Article 189 – Oath or affirmation of members
Quick Reference: Swearing-in of MLAs/MLCs
Every member of the Legislature shall, before taking their seat, make and subscribe an oath or affirmation according to the law.
Article 190 – Rules of procedure of State Legislatures
Quick Reference: Assembly & Council procedural rules
Each House of the State Legislature may make rules for regulating its procedure and conduct consistent with the Constitution.
Article 191 – Disqualification of members
Quick Reference: MLA/MLC disqualification
Provisions for disqualification of members due to defection, holding office of profit, or other constitutional reasons.
Article 192 – Power of Legislature over its own members
Quick Reference: Legislative control over membership
The Legislature has the power to expel or penalize its members for misconduct, consistent with constitutional provisions.
Article 193 – Legislative procedure for Bills
Quick Reference: State bill passing process
All bills, including money bills, shall follow prescribed procedures for introduction, discussion, amendment, and assent.
Article 194 – Assent to Bills
Quick Reference: Governor’s approval of bills
Governor’s power to assent, withhold, or return bills with recommendations, except for money bills which must be assented to.
Article 195 – Restriction on introduction of Bills
Quick Reference: Money bills in Council
Money bills cannot originate in the Legislative Council; Council can only make recommendations on them.
Article 196 – Assent to Bills returned by Governor
Quick Reference: Returning bills with suggestions
If a Governor returns a bill with recommendations, the Legislature may reconsider and pass it again; Governor must then give assent.
Article 197 – Procedure in case of disagreement between Houses
Quick Reference: Resolving legislative deadlocks
In case of disagreement, a joint sitting may be summoned by the Governor, and a majority vote decides.
Article 198 – Annual Financial Statement
Quick Reference: State budget presentation
The Governor shall lay before the Legislature the annual financial statement (budget), estimates, and expenditure proposals.
Article 199 – Appropriation of funds
Quick Reference: Legal expenditure of state funds
No expenditure shall be made from the Consolidated Fund of the State except under appropriation made by law.
Article 200 – Recommendation of money bills
Quick Reference: Governor’s recommendation required
Money bills can only be introduced in the Legislative Assembly with the Governor’s recommendation.