0
0

Bihar - Legislative Assembly & Council

Introduction

The Legislative Assembly and Council of Bihar form the state's bicameral legislature, a key topic for exams like BPSC, UPPSC, and other State PSCs. Questions on the structure, composition, and functions of Bihar's legislature frequently appear in competitive exams such as BPSC and SSC CGL.

Pattern: Bihar - Legislative Assembly & Council

Pattern

This pattern tests knowledge of Bihar's bicameral legislature, including the composition, powers, and functions of the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad).

Key Concept:

Bihar has a bicameral legislature consisting of the Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and the Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad).

Important Points:

  • Legislative Assembly = Lower house with 243 elected members, term of 5 years unless dissolved earlier.
  • Legislative Council = Upper house with a maximum strength of 75 members, partially elected and partially nominated, with a term of 6 years and one-third members retiring every two years.
  • History = Bihar's Legislative Council was abolished in 1970 and re-established in 1977.

Related Topics:

  • Bicameral vs Unicameral legislatures in Indian states
  • Functions and powers of State Legislatures
  • Composition and election of Legislative Councils in India

Step-by-Step Example

Question

How many members are there in the Bihar Legislative Assembly?

Options:

  • A. 243
  • B. 250
  • C. 200
  • D. 275

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the house

    The question asks about the Legislative Assembly, which is the lower house of Bihar's legislature.

  2. Step 2: Recall the number of members

    Bihar Legislative Assembly currently has 243 elected members as per the latest delimitation.

  3. Step 3: Verify other options

    250, 200, and 275 are incorrect as they do not match the official strength.

  4. Final Answer:

    243 → Option A

  5. Quick Check:

    Bihar Legislative Assembly strength = 243 ✅

Quick Variations

This pattern may appear as questions on the term length of the Assembly or Council, the method of election of Council members, or the historical timeline of Bihar's Legislative Council abolition and re-establishment.

Trick to Always Use

  • Remember: Bihar Assembly = 243 members, easy to recall as it matches the Lok Sabha seats roughly.
  • Mnemonic for Council term: "6 years, 1/3 retire every 2" helps recall the staggered retirement system.

Summary

Summary

  • Bihar has a bicameral legislature: Assembly (243 members) and Council (up to 75 members).
  • Assembly members are directly elected for 5 years; Council members serve 6 years with staggered retirement.
  • Bihar's Legislative Council was abolished in 1970 and re-established in 1977.

Remember:
Bihar Assembly = 243 members; Council = 6-year term with staggered retirement

Practice

(1/5)
1. What is the total number of elected members in the Bihar Legislative Assembly?
easy
A. 275
B. 250
C. 200
D. 243

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify the house

    The question asks about the Bihar Legislative Assembly, which is the lower house of the state legislature.

  2. Step 2: Recall the number of members

    The Bihar Legislative Assembly currently has 243 elected members as per the latest delimitation.

  3. Final Answer:

    243 → Option D

  4. Quick Check:

    Bihar Legislative Assembly strength = 243 ✅
Hint: Remember Bihar Assembly seats roughly equal to Lok Sabha seats.
Common Mistakes: Confusing total members with other states or including nominated members.
2. What is the maximum strength of the Bihar Legislative Council?
easy
A. 75
B. 100
C. 60
D. 90

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the Legislative Council composition

    The Bihar Legislative Council is the upper house with a fixed maximum strength.

  2. Step 2: Recall the maximum allowed strength

    The maximum strength of Bihar's Legislative Council is 75 members, including elected and nominated members.

  3. Final Answer:

    75 → Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Bihar Legislative Council maximum strength = 75 ✅
Hint: Council strength capped at 1/3 of Assembly strength, max 75.
Common Mistakes: Mistaking Council strength as equal or more than Assembly strength.
3. What is the term length of members of the Bihar Legislative Assembly?
easy
A. 4 years
B. 6 years
C. 5 years
D. 3 years

Solution

  1. Step 1: Identify term length for Assembly members

    The Legislative Assembly members serve for a fixed term unless dissolved earlier.

  2. Step 2: Recall the term duration

    The term length of Bihar Legislative Assembly members is 5 years.

  3. Final Answer:

    5 years → Option C

  4. Quick Check:

    Bihar Legislative Assembly term length = 5 years ✅
Hint: Assembly term is same as Lok Sabha term, 5 years.
Common Mistakes: Confusing Assembly term with Council term of 6 years.
4. When was the Bihar Legislative Council re-established after being abolished?
medium
A. 1977
B. 1970
C. 1952
D. 1965

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the historical timeline

    Bihar's Legislative Council was abolished and later re-established, important for historical knowledge.

  2. Step 2: Recall the re-establishment year

    The Council was abolished in 1970 and re-established in 1977.

  3. Final Answer:

    1977 → Option A

  4. Quick Check:

    Bihar Legislative Council re-established = 1977 ✅
Hint: Remember abolition in 1970, reconstitution in late 1970s.
Common Mistakes: Confusing abolition year with re-establishment year.
5. How often do one-third of the members of the Bihar Legislative Council retire?
medium
A. Every 3 years
B. Every 2 years
C. Every 5 years
D. Every 6 years

Solution

  1. Step 1: Understand the Council's retirement system

    The Legislative Council has a staggered retirement system to ensure continuity.

  2. Step 2: Recall the retirement frequency

    One-third of the members retire every 2 years, with each member serving a 6-year term.

  3. Final Answer:

    Every 2 years → Option B

  4. Quick Check:

    Bihar Legislative Council retirement cycle = every 2 years ✅
Hint: Mnemonic: 6 years term, 1/3 retire every 2 years.
Common Mistakes: Confusing retirement frequency with term length or other intervals.

Mock Test

Ready for a challenge?

Take a 10-minute AI-powered test with 10 questions (Easy-Medium-Hard mix) and get instant SWOT analysis of your performance!

10 Questions
5 Minutes