India's State and Union Territory Governance: An Overview of its Structure and Composition
India, with its diverse cultural and administrative landscape, is primarily composed of 28 states and 8 union territories as of 2023. This article provides a comprehensive understanding of these administrative units and their governance structures, their historical development, and the legal framework underpinning their existence as per the Constitution of India.
Historical Context
The current number of 28 states and 8 union territories evolved over time. The 29th state, Telangana, was formed on June 2, 2014, by bifurcating Andhra Pradesh. On October 31, 2019, Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two union territories—the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Geographical and Demographic Factors
The size and population of these states vary significantly. Rajasthan is the largest state by area, followed by Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh. By population, Uttar Pradesh leads, followed by Maharashtra, Bihar, and West Bengal. These vast geographical and demographic differences are critical in shaping the governance and administrative strategies.
Structural Composition of State Governance
Each state operates under a federal system, with its own government, consisting of a state legislature, executive, and judiciary. The state legislature plays a vital role in drafting and implementing laws specific to the state. India’s Constitution, Article 168, mandates that every state shall have a state legislature comprising a Governor, Vidhan Sabha (lower house), and Vidhan Parishad (upper house).
Legislative Assemblies and Councils
Notably, while 22 states have unicameral state legislatures, 6 states—Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, and Maharashtra—retain a bicameral system, with both Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad. The bicameral states have a white house, the Vidhan Parishad, which is permanent and cannot be dissolved. The maximum size of Vidhan Sabha cannot exceed 500 members and is at least 60, with exceptions for smaller states like Sikkim, Goa, and Mizoram, which have lower minimum sizes.
Provision of Legislative Assemblies in Union Territories
Three union territories—Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu and Kashmir—have provisions for legislative assemblies, while the rest do not. However, Delhi, with 70 members, and Jammu and Kashmir, with 114 members, have extensive legislative functions.
Electoral Systems and Tenure
Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) are directly elected through the first-past-the-post (FPTP) system, with a maximum term of 5 years. Members of the Legislative Council (MLC) are indirectly elected through a proportional representation system, typically with a 6-year term. Elections for the lower house are typically held after 5 years, while those for the upper house are held every two years to replace 1/3rd of its membership.
Examples and Details
Delhi: As of the 2020 elections, Delhi had its 7th Vidhan Sabha. The speaker of Delhi’s Vidhan Sabha is Ram Nivas Goyal, with Rakhi Birlan as deputy speaker. Arvind Kejriwal leads the House, and Ram Veer Singh Vidhuri leads the opposition.
Conclusion
The governance structure of India's states and union territories is intricately designed to balance regional autonomy with national unity. This framework ensures that the diverse needs and aspirations of every state and union territory are addressed effectively. The Constitution of India, particularly Articles 168 and 169, plays a crucial role in this framework, providing legal backing to the governance of each state and union territory.