State legislative assemblies of India

The State Legislative Assembly, or Vidhana Sabha, or Saasana Sabha,[1] is a legislative body in each of the states and certain union territories of India.

In 28 states and 8 union territories, there is a unicameral legislature which is the sole legislative body.

Each Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) is directly elected to serve 5-year terms by single-member constituencies.

The Constitution of India states that a State Legislative Assembly must have no less than 60 and no more than 500 members however an exception may be granted via an Act of Parliament as is the case in the states of Goa, Sikkim, Mizoram and the union territory of Puducherry which have fewer than 60 members.

A State Legislative Assembly may be dissolved in a state of emergency, by the Governor on request of the Chief Minister, or if a motion of no confidence is passed against the ruling majority party or coalition.