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Bihar Legislative Council Elections Underway for Eight Seats

Source:jagran ↗

Why It Matters

Important for BPSC aspirants to understand the constitutional framework, composition, and election dynamics of the Bihar Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) under Article 171 of the Constitution.

Summary

Live updates and coverage of the Bihar Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) elections for 8 seats, detailing the polling process across various teacher, graduate, and local authority constituencies in Bihar.

Key Points

  • Elections for 8 seats of the Bihar Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) are underway.
  • The polls involve constituencies covering local bodies, graduates, and teachers, highlighting the multi-tiered structure of the state's upper house.
  • The elections draw major political attention in Bihar, impacting the composition and balance of power in the Vidhan Parishad.

Important Terms

Bihar Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad)

The upper house of the bicameral state legislature in Bihar, consisting of 75 members, with seats filled through special electorates including graduates, teachers, local bodies, legislative assembly members, and gubernatorial nominations.

UPSC context

Important for BPSC Polity (State Legislature structure, composition, and Article 169), testing knowledge of bicameralism and indirect elections in Bihar.

Source

Static Concepts Connected

Bihar Polity State Legislature

What is the constitutional composition and electorates breakdown of the Bihar Legislative Council under Article 171?

  • Total Strength: Total strength is 75 members following the 2000 state reorganization under the Bihar Reorganisation Act.
  • Local Authorities: 1/3rd are elected by local authorities like municipalities and district boards.
  • Graduates & Teachers: 1/12th each are elected by qualified graduates (3 years standing) and teachers (3 years secondary service).
  • MLAs Electorate: 1/3rd are elected by the members of the Bihar Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
  • Governor Nomination: 1/6th are nominated by the Governor from fields like science, arts, literature, cooperative movement, and social service.

Cross-Topic Patterns

  • Legislative Councils vs Functional Representation Evolution

    The Bihar Legislative Council's graduate and teacher constituencies mirror the functional representation principle found in the composition of early colonial legislative reforms, such as the Morley-Minto and Montagu-Chelmsford Acts.

Expect a multi-statement question on Article 171 combining total strength (75), electorate breakdown, and Governor nomination criteria.

Linked PYQs · 2

Linked PYQs · 2

  • 2022BPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    The members of a State Legislative Council are not chosen by which of the following categories of persons?

  • 2024-IBPSC_PRELIMSGS1

    Under the Government of India Act 1935, who was the first elected Chairman of Bihar Legislative Council ?