Part VI · The States · General
Article 168: Constitution of Legislatures in States
Text of Article 168
(1) For every State there shall be a Legislature which shall consist of the Governor, and—
(a) in the States of *** [Andhra Pradesh], Bihar, *** [Madhya Pradesh], *** [Maharashtra], [Karnataka], *** [[Tamil Nadu, Telangana]] [and Uttar Pradesh], 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.
Words in [square brackets] were inserted or substituted by later amendments (see below). Source: Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice, Government of India
A plain-English explanation of Article 168, landmark judgments and exam facts are being added to this page.
Amendment history
Changed by: 7th Amendment Act, 1956
- The words "Andhra Pradesh," omitted by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council (Abolition) Act, 1985 (34 of 1985), s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-6-1985).
- Ins. by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council Act, 2005 (1 of 2006), s. 3 (w.e.f. 30-3-2007).
- The word "Bombay" omitted by the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 (11 of 1960) s. 20 (w.e.f. 1-5-1960).
- Ins. by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 8 (w.e.f. 1-11-1956).
- The words "Tamil Nadu," omitted by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Council (Abolition) Act, 1986 (40 of 1986), s. 4 (w.e.f. 1-11-1986).
- Ins. by the Bombay Reorganisation Act, 1960 (11 of 1960), s. 20 (w.e.f. 1-5-1960).
- Subs. by the Mysore State (Alteration of Name) Act, 1973 (31 of 1973), s. 4, for "Mysore" (w.e.f. 1-11-1973), which was inserted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 8(1) (w.e.f. 1-11-1956).
- The word "Punjab," omitted by the Punjab Legislative Council (Abolition) Act, 1969 (46 of 1969), s. 4 (w.e.f. 7-1-1970).
- Subs. by the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014 (6 of 2014), s. 96, for "Tamil Nadu" (w.e.f. 1-6-2014).
- Subs. by the West Bengal Legislative Council (Abolition) Act, 1969 (20 of 1969), s. 4 for "Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal" (w.e.f. 1-8-1969).
More in Part VI: The States · Constitution quiz