Why India's most populous state maintains a permanent upper house of 100 members
In short: Uttar Pradesh is one of only six Indian states with a bicameral legislature. Its upper house, the Legislative Council, functions as a permanent body that never dissolves. With 100 members serving staggered six-year terms, it provides a unique layer of representation distinct from the state's primary Legislative Assembly.
The Legislative Council traces its origins to the Government of India Act of 1935, which established the house for the United Provinces. Initially, the council consisted of 60 members. Following the adoption of the Indian Constitution on 26 January 1950, this number rose to 72. Subsequent legislative adjustments, including the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act of 1956, further increased the capacity to 108 members. The current size of 100 was finalized following the reorganization of the state in November 2000, which saw the creation of Uttarakhand.
Unlike the Legislative Assembly, which is subject to dissolution, the Council is a permanent institution. Its membership structure ensures continuity through a staggered system: one-third of the body retires every two years, with vacant seats filled through fresh elections or nominations. This cycle allows individual members to serve six-year terms, and there is no limit on how many times a person can be re-elected or re-nominated to the house.
The composition of the 100-member body is diverse, drawing from various electoral and appointment processes. Currently, 38 members are chosen by the Legislative Assembly, while 36 are elected by local authorities. Additionally, 8 members represent graduate constituencies, 8 represent teacher constituencies, and the Governor of Uttar Pradesh appoints 10 members directly. The house is led by a Chairman and a Deputy Chairman, with Kunwar Manvendra Singh currently serving as the Chairman.
Historically, the council has been shaped by significant figures. Sir Sitaram served as the first President of the Council starting in 1937, remaining in office until 1949, when Chandra Bhal succeeded him. Bhal continued his leadership through the transition to the new constitutional framework in 1950. Today, the council remains a vital component of the state's legislative architecture, balancing the democratic processes of the Assembly with its own specialized representative structure.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council
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