Composition of the legislature: 

The legislature is of two types from its composition point of view: 

• Unicameral legislature 
• Bicameral legislature.

1.Unicameral Legislature: 

There is only one house in a unicameral legislature. This is the house of representatives. In democratic states, the public directly elects the members of the house. They are elected on the principle of adult franchise. In some countries, the right to vote is granted to a person with specific qualifications. Where there is unicameral legislature, all the powers are confined in the house. In the whole world, in Portugal, China, Greece and in some states of India, there are unicameral legislatures. 

2. Bicameral Legislature: 

There are two houses in a bicameral legislature. The bicameral system of legislature started for the first time in Britain. In the modern times, it has become a constitutional need in countries such as USA, Switzerland, France, Canada, Japan, India, Russia, etc.

Reasons in favour of bicameral legislature: 

1. Check on the autocracy of the first house: 

Where there is unicameral house, all the powers of law-making are in the hands of this house. The second house checks the house from becoming autocratic. 

2. Check the laws passed in haste: 

To fulfill the promises made to the electorate, the members pass a law in haste thoughtlessly. The second house examines it and removes the faults of the law. 

3. The second house is in accordance with democratic traditions: 

If there is only unicameral legislature, the power is centralized in one house. If there is bicameral legislature, there is better representation of public. 

4. The second house is helpful to the first house: 

All the laws passed by the single house cannot receive as much attention of the members as should have been given to the passing of the law. In the second house, there are more able and qualified persons. So, the second house can help the first house to make better laws. 

5. Helpful in making public opinion: 

After a bill is passed by the first house, it takes time to get it passed by the second house. This gives enough time to the public representatives to ponder over the deficiencies and faults of the bill.

Reasons Against Bicameral Legislature: 

1. Undemocratic: In a democracy, the real power lies in the hands of the people who are the real sovereign in democracy. The first house represents the real will of the people, so there is no need of the second house. 

2. Delaying institution: A bill takes at least double the time in getting passed through two houses. The result is that beneficial and urgent bills are unnecessarily delayed. 

3. Problem in composing the second house: In different countries, the composition of the second house is based on different traditions and principles. In England, the second house is House of Lords, which is purely a dynastic representation. In India, the members of the second house are elected by indirect election, which often becomes the cause of corruption. 

4. Un – necessary for federal system of administration: Due to party discipline, the members of the second house only safeguard the interest of their own party. They had no regards for the public interest or that of the country. 

5. Un – necessary expenditure: A considerable amount of money is spent on the election of the members of the second house and its functioning. 

6. There is always a possibility of confrontation between the two houses: This becomes all the more possible when the government in the lower house is in majority, but is in hopeless minority in the upper house.i.e. Rajya Sabha.