A state legislature can be unicameral (one house) or bicameral (two houses).
Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly):
Role: This is the lower house and exists in all states.
- It is the state’s primary law-making body, holding power over state finances and the survival of the state government.
Election: Members (MLAs) are directly elected by the people of the state for a 5-year term.
Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council):
Role: This is the upper house, and it exists in only 6 states ([[Andhra Pradesh]], [[Bihar]], [[Karnataka]], [[Maharashtra]], [[Telangana]], and [[Uttar Pradesh]]).
Election: Members (MLCs) are indirectly elected and nominated from various bodies, including MLAs, local governments, teachers, and graduates. It is a permanent body, like the [[Rajya Sabha]].