The States are organized mainly along language lines. The central government may and occasionally has reorganized State boundaries. The structure of State government is similar to that of the centre. The executive power is vested in a governor who is appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Prime Minister. The governor is appointed for a five-year term and is largely a figurehead whose powers and role are analogous to those of the President at the centre.
Most States have a unicameral legislature.
The legislative assemblies are composed of between 32 and 426 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies based on population. Seven States have bicameral legislatures with a smaller Legislative Council functioning alongside the Legislative Assembly. Members of the Legislative Council are elected indirectly by the Assembly or appointed by the Governor to fixed terms with approximately one- third retiring every second year. Only 2 of the Union Territories, Delhi and Pondicherry, have legislative assemblies, but the Delhi Council stands dissolved with effect from January 1990. The Adaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu, and Lakshadweep have no territorial assemblies of their own.