Home The Constitution Part VI Article 168

Art. 168 Part VI: The States

Constitution of Legislatures in States

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) For every State there shall be a Legislature which shall consist of the Governor, and—(a) in the States of [certain states with two Houses] two Houses; (b) in other States, one House. (2) Where there are two Houses of the Legislature of a State, one shall be known as the Legislative Council and the other as the Legislative Assembly, and where there is only one House, it shall be known as the Legislative Assembly.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article establishes that each state's legislature includes the Governor plus either one House (Legislative Assembly only) or two Houses (Legislative Assembly plus Legislative Council, for states that have chosen this bicameral structure). Unlike Parliament, where bicameralism is mandatory, states have flexibility in whether to maintain an Upper House.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why some states (like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh) have a Legislative Council alongside their Legislative Assembly, while most states operate with just a single House — a state-by-state choice, unlike the Union's mandatory two-House Parliament.

Read alongside this one

Art. 169 — Abolition or Creation of Legislative Councils in States

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 168

Can a state add or abolish its Legislative Council?

Yes — under Article 169 (which follows), Parliament can create or abolish a state's Legislative Council if that state's own Legislative Assembly passes a resolution requesting it, by a specified special majority.

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The text above reproduces Article 168 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.