The normal term of a State Assembly (other than J & K) is?

Appeared in: RRB Staff Nurse Mumbai-2015

Explanation

The standard term for a State Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) in India is five years, as stated in the Constitution.
This is mandated by Article 172(1) of the Indian Constitution, which specifies the duration of State Legislatures.
The five-year term begins from the date appointed for the Assembly's first meeting after a general election.
The Governor holds the power to dissolve the Assembly before the completion of its five-year term, typically on the advice of the Chief Minister.

Option A: A 3-year term is not a standard duration for any major legislative body in the Indian political system, either at the state or central level.
Option B: A 6-year term applies to members of the Upper Houses of Parliament and State Legislatures, namely the Rajya Sabha and the Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council), respectively. The State Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) is the Lower House.
Option D: A 4-year term is not the standard for any state or central legislative body in India.

Visual 1: Infographic: A chart comparing the composition, nature (permanent/dissolvable), and term lengths of the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Sabha, and Vidhan Parishad.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Term of State Legislative Assembly in India as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Understanding the structure of Indian governance, including the terms of legislative bodies, is crucial for general awareness and civic knowledge.
Knowledge of legislative terms helps in understanding election cycles, political stability, and the functioning of democracy at the state level.
What if? If a Proclamation of Emergency is in effect, the Parliament can extend the normal five-year term of a State Assembly by law for a period not exceeding one year at a time.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key subject of the question, which is the 'normal term' of a 'State Assembly'.
Recognize that 'State Assembly' refers to the Vidhan Sabha, the lower house of the state legislature.
Note the specific exclusion '(other than J & K)', which is a hint about a historical exception but does not change the general rule for all other states.
Recall the fundamental facts about the Indian political structure, differentiating between the terms of lower houses (Lok Sabha, Vidhan Sabha) and upper houses (Rajya Sabha, Vidhan Parishad).
Lower houses, which are directly elected, have a term of 5 years, whereas members of the permanent upper houses have 6-year terms.
Based on this, select the option that corresponds to the standard 5-year term.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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Practise the full RRB Staff Nurse Mumbai-2015

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.