Consider the following statements : 1. The Parliament may, by law, create a Legislative Council in a state if the Legislative Assembly of the State passes a resolution in this regard by a simple majority. 2. The Legislative Assembly of a state has no role to play in the abolition of the Legislative Council of that state. 3. The total number of members in the Legislative Council of a State cannot exceed one-third of the total number of members in the Legislative Assembly of that State. 4. One-twelfth of Members of Legislative Council are elected by persons residing in the State who have been graduates for at least three years. How many of the statement (s) given above are correct?

Creation and abolition of the Legislative Council (Article 169)

• Parliament may by law create or abolish a Legislative Council in a State if the Legislative Assembly of that State passes a resolution to that effect by a special majority, that is, a majority of the total membership of the Assembly and a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.
• Since such a resolution of the Legislative Assembly is a pre-condition for abolition also, the Assembly has a decisive role in the abolition of the Council. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Composition (Article 171)

• The total strength of the Legislative Council shall not exceed one-third of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly of that State and shall in no case be less than 40. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
• One-third of the members are elected by local bodies, one-twelfth by graduates of three years standing residing in the State, one-twelfth by teachers of three years standing not lower than secondary school, one-third by the members of the Legislative Assembly and the remaining one-sixth are nominated by the Governor. Hence, statement 4 is correct.
• Therefore, only two statements are correct.