Articles 168 to 201 of the Constitution of India: State Legislature
Articles 168 to 201 form a substantial part of Part VI, Chapter III of the Constitution of India. They regulate the constitutional structure and functioning of State Legislatures, including Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils, presiding officers, membership, voting, privileges, legislative procedure, Money Bills, and assent to State Bills.
Current legal reference: The article summaries below are intended as a navigation and explanatory guide. For authoritative wording, amendments, provisos, explanations and footnotes, consult the current official text of the Constitution published by the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice.
Articles 168 to 170 establish the basic structure of State Legislatures. Article 168 provides for a Legislature in every State and identifies States having two Houses and those having one House. Article 169 enables Parliament to create or abolish a State Legislative Council after the Legislative Assembly adopts the constitutionally required special-majority resolution. Article 170 deals with the composition of Legislative Assemblies and territorial constituencies.
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Article 171 governs the composition of Legislative Councils. Article 172 generally fixes the duration of a State Legislative Assembly at five years unless sooner dissolved, subject to the constitutional provision concerning an Emergency. Article 173 states the constitutional qualifications for membership of a State Legislature.
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Article 174 concerns summoning the House or Houses of the State Legislature, prorogation and dissolution of the Legislative Assembly. Article 175 concerns the Governor's constitutional right to address and send messages to the House or Houses.
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Article 176 provides for the Governor's special address at the commencement of the first session after each general election to the Legislative Assembly and at the first session of each year. Article 177 concerns the rights of Ministers and the Advocate-General to speak and otherwise take part in legislative proceedings, subject to the Constitution.
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Articles 178 and 179 deal with the Speaker and Deputy Speaker of a Legislative Assembly, including election to those offices and the constitutional rules governing vacation, resignation and removal.
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Article 180 provides for performance of the Speaker's duties when the office is vacant or the Speaker is absent. Article 181 restricts the Speaker or Deputy Speaker from presiding while a resolution for his or her removal is under consideration, while preserving the constitutional rights specified in that Article.
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Articles 182 and 183 provide for the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of a Legislative Council and govern vacation, resignation and removal from those offices.
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Article 184 provides for performance of the Chairman's duties when the office is vacant or the Chairman is absent. Article 185 regulates presiding during consideration of a resolution for removal of the Chairman or Deputy Chairman.
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Article 186 concerns salaries and allowances of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, Chairman and Deputy Chairman. Article 187 provides for a separate secretarial staff for the House or each House of a State Legislature, subject to the constitutional framework.
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Article 188 requires members to make and subscribe the prescribed oath or affirmation before taking their seats. Article 189 governs voting, the power of a House to act notwithstanding vacancies, and quorum.
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Article 190 governs vacation of seats, including circumstances involving membership of both Houses or more than one State Legislature and absence as constitutionally provided. Article 191 sets out constitutional grounds of disqualification for membership of a State Legislature, subject also to the Tenth Schedule.
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Article 192 provides the constitutional process for deciding specified questions concerning disqualification of a State legislator. Article 193 provides a monetary penalty for sitting or voting before taking the required oath or affirmation, or while knowingly not qualified or disqualified, in the circumstances stated in the Constitution.
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Article 194 concerns powers, privileges and immunities of State Legislatures, their members and committees. Article 195 concerns salaries and allowances of members of State Legislatures as determined under law.
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Article 196 contains the general constitutional rules for introduction and passing of Bills in a State Legislature. Article 197 limits the power of a Legislative Council in relation to Bills other than Money Bills and sets out the process applicable when the Council rejects, delays or proposes amendments to such a Bill.
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Article 198 lays down the special procedure for Money Bills in States having a Legislative Council. Article 199 defines a Money Bill for purposes of the State Legislature and addresses the Speaker's certification in the constitutional scheme.
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Article 200 governs the Governor's action when a Bill passed by the State Legislature is presented for assent, including the constitutional options and requirements stated in the Article. Article 201 deals with Bills reserved by the Governor for consideration of the President.
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Why Articles 168 to 201 matter
Together, these provisions establish the institutional framework for State law-making. They define the Houses of State Legislatures, regulate their officers and members, prescribe core legislative procedure and distinguish ordinary Bills from Money Bills. Articles 200 and 201 then address the constitutional stage after a State Bill has been passed, including assent and reservation for consideration of the President.
Official constitutional text
For the latest authoritative text and amendment footnotes, see the Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice and the India Code portal.
This page is a general legal-information resource and should be read with the current constitutional text and applicable judicial decisions.
