State Legislature MCQ: Legislative Immunity, Money Bill Definition & Governor Ordinances

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Members of the State Legislature enjoy immunity from arrest in civil cases during the session and for how many days before and after the session?

   • A.14 days
   • B.30 days
   • C.40 days✓ Correct Answer
   • D.60 days

   Explanation: They cannot be arrested in civil cases during the session of the legislature and 40 days before the beginning and 40 days after the end of the session.

2. Q2.Which House can create a 'Breach of Privilege' motion against a minister?

   • A.Only Assembly
   • B.Only Council
   • C.Either House✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Only Governor

   Explanation: A minister belongs to the government, but he is answerable to the House. Either House can move a breach of privilege motion if a minister misleads the House.

3. Q3.Can the Legislative Council vote on the Demands for Grants (Budget)?

   • A.Yes, fully
   • B.No, it can only discuss✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Yes, but with limited power
   • D.Yes, in a joint sitting

   Explanation: The Legislative Council can only discuss the budget but cannot vote on the Demands for Grants. This power lies exclusively with the Assembly.

4. Q4.The resolution to create or abolish a Legislative Council must be passed by the State Assembly by which majority?

   • A.Simple Majority
   • B.Special Majority✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Absolute Majority
   • D.Effective Majority

   Explanation: The resolution must be passed by a Special Majority (majority of total membership AND 2/3rds of members present and voting).

5. Q5.Which language is used for transaction of business in the State Legislature according to the Constitution?

   • A.Only English
   • B.Only Hindi
   • C.Official language of the state, Hindi or English✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Only Official language of the state

   Explanation: The business of the State Legislature is transacted in the official language of the state, or in Hindi or in English.

6. Q6.Who can permit a member to address the House in his/her mother tongue?

   • A.Chief Minister
   • B.Governor
   • C.Presiding Officer✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Parliamentary Affairs Minister

   Explanation: The Presiding Officer (Speaker or Chairman) may permit any member to address the House in his/her mother tongue.

7. Q7.What is the maximum gap allowed between two sessions of the State Legislature?

   • A.3 months
   • B.4 months
   • C.6 months✓ Correct Answer
   • D.1 year

   Explanation: The maximum gap between two sessions of the State Legislature cannot be more than six months.

8. Q8.The 'Committee on Privileges' in the State Legislature usually consists of how many members in the Assembly?

   • A.10
   • B.15✓ Correct Answer
   • C.20
   • D.22

   Explanation: The Committee on Privileges usually has 15 members in the Legislative Assembly (number may vary slightly by state rules, but 15 is standard).

9. Q9.The term of the State Legislative Assembly can be extended during a National Emergency for how long at a time?

   • A.6 months
   • B.1 year✓ Correct Answer
   • C.2 years
   • D.3 years

   Explanation: Parliament may extend the term of the State Assembly by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time.

10. Q10.Who is the 'leader of the House' in the Legislative Assembly?

    • A.Speaker
    • B.Chief Minister (if he is a member)✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Senior most Minister
    • D.Governor

    Explanation: The Chief Minister is the Leader of the House if he is a member of the Assembly. Otherwise, a minister nominated by him functions as the Leader.

11. Q11.Which Article defines 'Money Bills' in the State Legislature?

    • A.Article 198
    • B.Article 199✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Article 200
    • D.Article 202

    Explanation: Article 199 of the Constitution defines Money Bills in the State Legislature.

12. Q12.The Governor can promulgate an ordinance only when:

    • A.The Assembly is dissolved
    • B.The Council is dissolved
    • C.The Legislature is not in session✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Chief Minister advises

    Explanation: The Governor can promulgate an ordinance under Article 213 only when the State Legislature (either House in bicameral states) is not in session.

13. Q13.An ordinance issued by the Governor ceases to operate how long after the reassembly of the State Legislature?

    • A.6 weeks✓ Correct Answer
    • B.6 months
    • C.3 months
    • D.1 year

    Explanation: An ordinance issued by the Governor must be approved by the State Legislature within 6 weeks of its reassembly, otherwise it ceases to operate.

14. Q14.Who acts as the Speaker if both the Speaker and Deputy Speaker seats are vacant?

    • A.Chief Minister
    • B.A member of the Panel of Chairpersons
    • C.A member appointed by the Governor✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Senior-most member of the House

    Explanation: If both offices are vacant, the duties are performed by such member of the Assembly as the Governor may appoint for the purpose.

15. Q15.Can a person be a member of both Houses of the State Legislature at the same time?

    • A.Yes
    • B.No✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Yes, with Governor's permission
    • D.Yes, for 6 months

    Explanation: No person can be a member of both Houses of the State Legislature at the same time. If elected to both, one seat must be vacated.

16. Q16.If a person is elected to the legislatures of two different states, what happens?

    • A.He can retain both seats
    • B.He must resign from one
    • C.Both seats become vacant if he doesn't resign from one within a specific time✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Governor decides

    Explanation: If a person is elected to the legislatures of two or more states, his seat in all such legislatures becomes vacant unless he resigns from all but one within the specified time.

17. Q17.Who presides over the joint sitting of the State Legislature?

    • A.Speaker
    • B.Chairman of Council
    • C.Governor
    • D.There is no provision for joint sitting✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: Unlike the Parliament, there is absolutely NO provision for a joint sitting of the two Houses in the State Legislature.

18. Q18.In the Legislative Council, how many members are elected by members of local bodies (municipalities, district boards, etc.)?

    • A.1/3✓ Correct Answer
    • B.1/6
    • C.1/12
    • D.1/4

    Explanation: 1/3rd of the members of the Legislative Council are elected by members of local bodies like municipalities and district boards.

19. Q19.Which of the following expenditures is NOT 'charged' on the Consolidated Fund of the State?

    • A.Salary of Governor
    • B.Salary of High Court Judges✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Salary of Speaker
    • D.Pension of High Court Judges

    Explanation: The salaries of High Court Judges are charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State, but their pensions are charged on the Consolidated Fund of India.

20. Q20.Who is the final interpreter of the provisions of the Constitution within the House of the State Legislature?

    • A.Advocate General
    • B.Chief Minister
    • C.Presiding Officer✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Governor

    Explanation: The Presiding Officer (Speaker/Chairman) is the final interpreter of the provisions of the Constitution, rules of procedure, and legislative precedents within the House.