What is Article 187 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 187: Secretariat of State Legislature (1) The House or each House of the Legislature of a State shall have a separate secretarial staff: Provided that
📅 Part VI – The States
🏷️Active

📚 UPSC Relevant

Article Number

187

part

Part VI – The States

Status

Active

Full Definition & Explanation

Article 187 of the Indian Constitution plays a key role in the administrative framework of state legislatures. It ensures that each House of the Legislature, whether it is a Legislative Assembly or a Legislative Council, has its own dedicated secretarial staff. This separate secretarial staff is necessary for the smooth functioning of the legislative process, as they assist in various administrative tasks. The provision allows for the creation of positions that are common to both Houses of the Legislature if a state has a Legislative Council, making it flexible to the needs of the state. The article also empowers the state legislature to regulate the recruitment and service conditions of the secretarial staff through legislation. This implies that the state has the autonomy to decide how to appoint and manage this staff. Until the state legislature enacts such laws, the Governor holds the authority to set rules regarding recruitment and service conditions in consultation with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly or the Chairman of the Legislative Council. This transitional provision ensures that there is no administrative vacuum before formal laws are in place. The real-world impact of Article 187 can be seen in how state legislatures operate effectively. By having a dedicated secretarial staff, legislative functions can be carried out more efficiently. This provision also allows for accountability and transparency in the recruitment processes of the staff, as state laws can define clear guidelines. The article thus supports the functioning of democracy at the state level by ensuring that legislative bodies are well-supported by skilled personnel.

Historical Context

It ensures that each House of the Legislature, whether it is a Legislative Assembly or a Legislative Council, has its own dedicated secretarial staff. This separate secretarial staff is necessary for the smooth functioning of the legislative process, as they assist in various administrative tasks. The provision allows for the creation of positions that are common to both Houses of the Legislature if a state has a Legislative Council, making it flexible to the needs of the state. The article also empowers the state legislature to regulate the recruitment and service conditions of the secretarial staff through legislation.

Key Features

– Each House of a State Legislature has its own secretarial staff.
– Legislatures can create common posts for both Houses if applicable.
– State laws can regulate recruitment and service conditions for staff.
– The Governor can make rules if the legislature does not act.
– Secretarial staff play a key role in legislative efficiency.

Importance & Impact

– Ensures smooth legislative functioning through dedicated support staff
– Empowers state legislatures to manage their administrative needs
– Facilitates accountability in the recruitment process of staff
– Allows for flexibility in staffing arrangements between Houses
– Strengthens the democratic process at the state level

Sample UPSC Question

Which of the following statements about Article 187 of the Indian Constitution is correct? Consider that: Article 187 of the Indian Constitution plays a key role in the administrative framework of state legislatures in the context of Article 187. A) It mandates a single secretarial staff for both Houses. B) The Governor can set rules for staff recruitment until state laws are made. C) Article 187 applies only to the Legislative Assembly. D) It prohibits the creation of common posts for both Houses.

Answer

The correct option is B. Article 187 allows the Governor to regulate recruitment rules until the state legislature enacts relevant laws. This ensures continuous administrative support. Article 187 of the Indian Constitution plays a key role in the administrative framework of state legislatures.

Key Takeaways

✓ Each House has its own secretarial staff
✓ The Governor can make temporary recruitment rules
✓ Legislatures can regulate their staff through laws
✓ Common posts can exist for both Houses
✓ Secretarial staff are key for legislative efficiency

FAQs

Article 187 of the Indian Constitution plays a key role in the administrative framework of state legislatures. It ensures that each House of the Legislature, whether it is a Legislative Assembly or a Legislative Council, has its own dedicated secretarial staff. This separate secretarial staff is necessary for the smooth functioning of the legislative process, as they assist in various administrative tasks.

Until the state legislature enacts such laws, the Governor holds the authority to set rules regarding recruitment and service conditions in consultation with the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly or the Chairman of the Legislative Council. This transitional provision ensures that there is no administrative vacuum before formal laws are in place. The real-world impact of Article 187 can be seen in how state legislatures operate effectively.

By having a dedicated secretarial staff, legislative functions can be carried out more efficiently. This provision also allows for accountability and transparency in the recruitment processes of the staff, as state laws can define clear guidelines. The article thus supports the functioning of democracy at the state level by ensuring that legislative bodies are well-supported by skilled personnel.

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Founder and Editor-in-Chief at StudyHub. Pramod has spent over 7 years tracking Indian government recruitments and analyzing exam trends. He oversees the StudyHub editorial board, managing a dedicated team of subject-matter experts across History, Polity, Geography, Geology, and General Sciences. His mission is to ensure that every job alert and study resource published on StudyHub is 100% verified, accurate, and helpful for competitive exam aspirants.
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