Prelims PYQs: Governor - Indian Polity for UPSC CSE

Q.1. With reference to the legislative Assembly of a state in India, consider the following Statements:     (2019-I)

1. The Governor makes a customary address to Members of the house at the commencement of the first session of the year.
2. When a State Legislature does not have a rule on the particular matter, it follows the lok Sabha rule on that matter.

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer is Option (c)

• Governor can address the state legislature at the commencement of the first session after each general election and the first session of each year. So #1 is right.
• Article 208 of the Constitution: A House of the Legislature of a State may make rules for regulating subject to the provisions of this Constitution, its procedure and the conduct of its business. Thus, it’s not mandated in the Constitution for the State legislature to (ALWAYS) follow/ copy the rules of Lok Sabha. So, #2 is wrong. Thus, answer A: only 1.
• Counterview: As per IndianExpress Article in 2016-September, second statement is correct so answer should be C: Both 1 and 2.
• Final verdict: UPSC official Answer key says “C: both statements are correct”.

Q.2. Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past?    (2019-I)
(a) First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)
(b) Rajamannar Committee(1969)
(c) Sarkaria Commission (1983)
(d) National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution(2000)

Correct Answer is Option (c)
Centre-State relations:

• While selecting Governors, the Central Government should adopt the following strict guidelines as recommended in the Sarkaria Commission report: He should be a detached figure and not too intimately connected with the local politics of the states.

Q.3. Consider the following statements:     (2018-I)

1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State any court during his term of office.
2. The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a State shall not be diminished during his term of office.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer is Option (c)

• Governor enjoys personal immunity from legal liability for his official acts. During his term of office, he is immune from any criminal proceedings, even in respect of his personal acts. He cannot be arrested or imprisone(d)
• His emoluments and allowances cannot be diminished during his term of office. Thus both statements are right.

Q.4. Consider the following statements:       (2015-I)

1. The Legislative Council of a State in India can be larger in size than half of the Legislative Assembly of that particular State
2. The Governor of a State nominates the Chairman of Legislative Council of that particular State.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Correct Answer is Option (d)
The maximum strength of the legislative council is fixed at one third of the total strength of the legislative assembly and the minimum strength is fixed at 40. The chairman of the legislative council is elected by the council itself from amongst its members.

Q.5. Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State?       (2014 - I)

1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule
2. Appointing the Ministers
3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government

Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer is Option (b)
The governor has Constitutional discretion in cases of Reservation of bill for consideration of the President and Recommendation of the imposition of President's rule. Therefore, statement 1 and 3 are definitely right. Moreover Governor only appoints those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Chief Minister. So Governor doesn’t have “Discretion” in appointment of the minister. Therefore 2 is wrong.

Q.6. Which one of the following statements is correct?      (2013 - I)
(a) In India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor for two or more States at the same time
(b) The Judges of the High Court of the States in India are appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of Supreme Court are appointed by the President
(c) No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post
(d) In the case of a Union Territory having a legislative setup, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governor on the basis of majority support.

Correct Answer is Option (c)
No procedure has been laid down in the constitution of India for the removal of a governor from his/her post.