India has a bicameral parliamentary system at the national level, with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. At the state level, however, the structure can be different. Some states have only a Legislative Assembly, while others have both a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council, known in Hindi as Vidhan Parishad.

As of September 2026, India has six states with a functioning Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council): Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh. The Parliament of India's Digital Sansad lists state legislative institutions, while Article 168 of the Constitution provides the constitutional framework for state legislatures.

What Is a Vidhan Parishad?

A Vidhan Parishad is the upper house of a state legislature. It is similar in structure to the Rajya Sabha at the Union level, although the two institutions have different constitutional roles.

A state with a Legislative Council has a bicameral legislature, meaning it has two houses:

• Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) – the lower house.
• Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council) – the upper house.

Not every Indian state has a Legislative Council. The Constitution allows a state to have one under the conditions set out in Article 169.

Which States Have Vidhan Parishad in India?

The six states with functioning Legislative Councils are:

How Is a Vidhan Parishad Different From a Vidhan Sabha?

The two houses have different methods of representation and different constitutional roles.

The Vidhan Sabha is directly elected by voters in territorial constituencies. The Vidhan Parishad, on the other hand, has members elected through different electorates and also includes nominated members.

Under Article 171, approximately:

• One-third of Council members are elected by members of local authorities.
• One-twelfth are elected by graduates' constituencies.
• One-twelfth are elected by teachers' constituencies.
• One-third are elected by members of the Legislative Assembly.
• The remaining members are nominated by the Governor from specified fields such as literature, science, art, cooperative movements, and social service.

This means becoming an MLC (Member of Legislative Council) is different from becoming an MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly).

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What Does a Vidhan Parishad Do?

The Legislative Council participates in the state's legislative process. Its members can discuss proposed legislation, raise public issues, participate in debates, and contribute to scrutiny of government policies.

The Council provides another forum for discussing matters affecting the state, including:

• Education and employment
• Agriculture and farmer-related issues
• Infrastructure
• Public welfare
• Healthcare
• Rural and urban development
• Government policies and administration

Its members can therefore bring different perspectives into the legislative process.

Who Is an MLC?

An MLC is a Member of the Legislative Council. MLCs serve in states that have a Vidhan Parishad.

For example, Yogesh Nauhwar MLC is associated with the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) and serves as a Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council. His role provides an example of how political representation can take place through the Legislative Council rather than only through a Legislative Assembly.

The distinction is important because terms such as "MLA" and "MLC" refer to different constitutional positions.

Can Every State Have a Vidhan Parishad?

No. A Legislative Council is not automatically present in every state.

Under Article 169 of the Constitution, Parliament can create or abolish a state's Legislative Council if the state's Legislative Assembly passes a resolution meeting the constitutional requirements. This means the existence of a Vidhan Parishad can change through the constitutional process.

The Constitution also sets limits on the size of a Legislative Council. Under Article 171, its total membership cannot exceed one-third of the state's Legislative Assembly membership and cannot be fewer than 40 members, subject to the constitutional provisions.

Why Is the Vidhan Parishad Important?

A Legislative Council provides an additional legislative forum within a state. Because its members come through different electoral categories and nominations, it can bring perspectives that may not be represented in exactly the same way in the Legislative Assembly.

For citizens, understanding the Vidhan Parishad also makes it easier to understand:

• How state legislatures are structured.
• What an MLC does.
• How different representatives are selected.
• How laws are discussed at the state level.
• How citizens' concerns can reach the legislature.

Conclusion

So, how many Vidhan Parishad in India? As of September 2026, there are six functioning Vidhan Parishads, located in Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

The Vidhan Parishad forms the upper house of a state's legislature where it exists. Understanding its structure also helps explain the role of an MLC and the difference between state legislative institutions. The example of Yogesh Nauhwar MLC in Uttar Pradesh shows how an MLC participates in state-level democratic representation through the Legislative Council.

FAQ

1. How many Vidhan Parishad are there in India?

There are six functioning Vidhan Parishads in India: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

2. What is a Vidhan Parishad?

A Vidhan Parishad, or Legislative Council, is the upper house of the state legislature in states that have a bicameral legislative system.

3. Which states have Vidhan Parishad?

The six states with functioning Legislative Councils are Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana, and Uttar Pradesh.

4. What is the difference between an MLA and an MLC?

An MLA is a Member of the Legislative Assembly, while an MLC is a Member of the Legislative Council. They belong to different houses of a state legislature.

5. Is Yogesh Nauhwar an MLC?

Yes. Public information identifies Yogesh Nauhwar as a Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council (MLC) associated with the Rashtriya Lok Dal.