Which of the following Indian states, among the options listed, has a unicameral legislature and thus does not have a bicameral system?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Tamil Nadu

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
In India, some states have a bicameral legislature with two Houses, while others have a unicameral system with only one House. A bicameral legislature consists of a Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) and a Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad). This question asks you to identify which state listed in the options has a unicameral legislature and therefore does not have a bicameral system.



Given Data / Assumptions:
- The options list four states: Jammu and Kashmir, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.
- A bicameral legislature means the presence of both a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council.
- A unicameral legislature means that only a Legislative Assembly exists.



Concept / Approach:
Historically, states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have had bicameral legislatures. Tamil Nadu abolished its Legislative Council in the past and therefore functions with only a Legislative Assembly. During the period commonly referred to in exam oriented questions, Jammu and Kashmir, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh were associated with bicameral arrangements, while Tamil Nadu is remembered as unicameral.



Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the list of Indian states that have or had Legislative Councils, such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. Step 2: Note that Tamil Nadu abolished its Legislative Council and thus has a unicameral legislature. Step 3: Telangana and Andhra Pradesh are known examples of states with Legislative Councils, making them bicameral. Step 4: Jammu and Kashmir, in earlier arrangements referred to in many textbooks, had a bicameral system. Step 5: Therefore, among the given options, Tamil Nadu is the state that does not have a bicameral legislature.



Verification / Alternative check:
Standard polity books in India carry a table listing states with bicameral legislatures. Tamil Nadu does not appear in that list in the usual context; instead, it is often cited as a state that once had, but later abolished, its Legislative Council. This confirms that it operates under a unicameral system for the purposes of typical exam questions.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Jammu and Kashmir: Historically described in textbooks as having a bicameral legislature during the period commonly discussed in exams.
- Telangana: Has a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council and is therefore bicameral.
- Andhra Pradesh: Also has a Legislative Council and is treated as bicameral in standard references.



Common Pitfalls:
A frequent source of confusion is the changing status of Legislative Councils in some states, as they have been created, abolished and sometimes re established. Another pitfall is to assume that all larger states must be bicameral. To avoid these errors, it is useful to memorise the current or historically relevant list of bicameral states and remember that Tamil Nadu is a clear example of a unicameral legislature.



Final Answer:
Among the states listed, Tamil Nadu does not have a bicameral legislature and functions with a unicameral system.


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