Governor MCQs - Polity

The discretionary powers of the Governor are explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, whereas such express constitutional discretion is not granted to the:

Union Prime Minister
President
State Speaker
Chief Justice

Explanation: Article 163 expressly grants discretionary powers to the Governor. In contrast, Article 74 binds the President to the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers without an explicit constitutional discretion clause.

The District Judges in a state are appointed by the Governor in consultation with the:

State Legislature
State High Court
Chief Minister
Supreme Court Collegium

Explanation: Article 233 mandates that appointments, postings, and promotions of district judges in any State shall be made by the Governor in consultation with the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to such State.

Under Article 163, if any question arises whether a matter falls within the Governor's discretion, whose decision shall be final?

State High Court
President of India
Chief Minister
Governor's own decision

Explanation: Article 163(2) clearly states that if any question arises whether a matter is or is not a matter in which the Governor is required to act in his discretion, the decision of the Governor in his discretion shall be final.

The Constitution states that the Governor's ordinance-making power is co-extensive with the legislative power of the:

Union Parliament
High Court
Chief Minister
State Legislature

Explanation: A Governor can only issue ordinances on subjects on which the State Legislature is competent to make laws, meaning their ordinance power is co-extensive with legislative power.

Who frames the rules specifying how orders and other instruments made and executed in the name of the Governor shall be authenticated?

Assembly
State Chief Secretary
Honorable Chief Minister
The Governor

Explanation: Article 166(2) specifies that orders and instruments executed in the name of the Governor shall be authenticated in such manner as may be specified in rules to be made by the Governor.

Which committee suggested that the Governor should be a detached figure and not participate in active politics for at least some years before appointment?

Rajamannar group
Sarkaria Commission
Administrative Reforms Commission
Venkatachaliah panel

Explanation: The Sarkaria Commission strongly emphasized that the Governor must be a detached figure and not be intimately connected with the local politics of the state, nor should they have taken an active part in politics recently.

The Governor can reserve a bill for the President’s consideration if it opposes the Directive Principles of State Policy, as stated in the rules governing:

The Article 201
Article 200
Article 161
Article 163 norms

Explanation: While reserving bills endangering the High Court is mandatory, reserving a bill that opposes Directive Principles or national interest is an exercise of the Governor's situational discretion under Article 200.

Which commission recommended that a Governor should not be appointed without consulting the Chief Minister of the concerned state?

Sarkaria panel
Finance commission
Kothari group
Mandal commission

Explanation: To ensure harmonious relations between the state and the center, the Sarkaria Commission recommended prior consultation with the State Chief Minister before appointing a Governor.

A Governor’s pardon power under Article 161 does NOT extend to cases involving:

State list offenses
Death penalty commutation
Court martial
State concurrent laws

Explanation: Unlike the President, the Governor has no power to pardon or commute sentences passed by a Court Martial (military courts).

If a bill is reserved by the Governor, who alone has the power to veto it absolutely or return it?

Parliament
Prime Minister
President
Supreme Court

Explanation: Once a bill is reserved by the Governor under Article 201, the Governor has no further role. The President alone decides whether to assent to or withhold assent from the bill.

Under Article 371F, the Governor holds special responsibility for peace and equitable arrangement for the socio-economic advancement of different sections in:

Assam
Sikkim
Territory of Mizoram
State of Nagaland

Explanation: Article 371F grants special provisions for Sikkim, including a specific special responsibility for its Governor to ensure peace and equitable socio-economic advancement.

The Governor's power to make advances from the Contingency Fund of the State is specifically for meeting:

Annual state budget
Local body deficits
Unforeseen expenditure
Routine administrative costs

Explanation: Article 267(2) allows the State Legislature to establish a Contingency Fund, placing it at the disposal of the Governor to meet unforeseen expenditure pending legislative authorization.

What type of pardoning power does the Governor completely lack compared to the President?

Respite
Remission power
Death sentence pardon
Commutation

Explanation: While a Governor can commute or suspend a death sentence, they cannot grant a full pardon for a death sentence; this power rests exclusively with the President.

According to the Punchhi Commission, a Governor's prior sanction for the prosecution of a minister should be decided within what time frame?

Fifteen days
One month
Exactly six weeks
Within three months

Explanation: The Punchhi Commission recommended that a decision on granting sanction for the prosecution of a minister should be taken by the Governor within a fixed period of three months to prevent arbitrary delays.

Can a Governor issue an ordinance on a subject present in the Concurrent List if it conflicts with a Central law?

Presidential nod required
No never
State controls it
Yes absolutely

Explanation: If a state ordinance conflicts with a central law on a concurrent subject, the Governor cannot promulgate it without the prior instructions of the President.

Which committee asserted that the Governor's discretionary powers under Article 163 are limited and not broad or general?

ARC report
Punchhi panel
Sarkaria panel
Kothari board

Explanation: The Sarkaria Commission strongly emphasized that Article 163 does not give the Governor a general discretionary power, but rather restricts it to specific constitutional mandates.

The Supreme Court held that the Governor cannot unilaterally order a floor test without objective material in which prominent case?

Rameshwar Prasad vs Union of India
Nabam Rebia verdict
Shivraj Singh Chouhan case
SR Bommai judgment

Explanation: In Shivraj Singh Chouhan v. Speaker (2020), the Court ruled that the Governor has the power to call for a floor test, but it must be based on objective material indicating the government has lost its majority.

The rules for more convenient transaction of the business of the state government are explicitly made by the:

Cabinet Secretary
Legislative Assembly
Chief Minister
Governor

Explanation: Article 166(3) mandates that the Governor shall make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the Government of the State, and for the allocation among Ministers of the said business.

In the event of a hung assembly, the Governor's discretion in choosing the Chief Minister is guided heavily by the conventions established by which committee/commission?

ARC report
Punchhi panel
Mandal group
Sarkaria Commission

Explanation: The Sarkaria Commission established a clear order of preference for the Governor to follow when choosing a Chief Minister in a hung assembly, prioritizing pre-poll alliances and largest single parties.

Under the Sixth Schedule, the Governor has the power to determine the share of royalties from mineral extraction payable to District Councils in:

State of Manipur
Only within Nagaland
Assam and Meghalaya
All Fifth Schedule areas

Explanation: The Sixth Schedule explicitly gives the Governor the power to settle disputes regarding the share of royalties from mineral licenses between the state government and District Councils in these specific tribal areas.

Which Article grants the Governor immunity from criminal proceedings during their term of office?

Art 361
Article 163
Article 200 clause
Constitutional Rule 161

Explanation: Article 361 provides protection to the President and Governors, stating they shall not be answerable to any court for the exercise of their duties and no criminal proceedings can be instituted against them during their term.

Which constitutional amendment removed the Governor's power to nominate Anglo-Indian members to the State Assembly?

42nd Amendment
The 104th Act
First Amendment
Act 44

Explanation: The 104th Constitutional Amendment Act abolished the provision that allowed the Governor to nominate one member of the Anglo-Indian community to the State Legislative Assembly.

Does the Governor possess the constitutional authority to commute a death sentence under Article 161?

Yes, can commute it
No, banned
Only on appeals
Only for military courts

Explanation: While a Governor cannot issue a full pardon for a death sentence (a power reserved exclusively for the President), they hold the constitutional authority under Article 161 to suspend, remit, or commute a death sentence.

Who submits the report of the State Public Service Commission to the State Legislature?

SPSC Chairman
State Chief Minister
President
Governor

Explanation: Under Article 323, it is the duty of the State Commission to present an annual report to the Governor, who then places it before the State Legislature.

The Governor appoints the Advocate General of the State, who must have qualifications equivalent to a:

District Judge
Senior Advocate
High Court Judge
Supreme Court Judge

Explanation: Under Article 165, the Governor appoints a person who is qualified to be appointed as a Judge of a High Court to be the Advocate General for the State.

The Governor has the power to appoint the Chairman of the State Public Service Commission, but they can only be removed by the:

State Legislature
President of India
State High Court
Governor themselves

Explanation: While SPSC members are appointed by the Governor, Article 317 strictly limits their removal to an order by the President of India on the grounds of misbehavior after a Supreme Court inquiry.

The Governor of Assam possesses discretionary power in determining royalties for mineral extraction payable to the:

Village Panchayats
District Councils
State Government
Union Ministry

Explanation: Under the Sixth Schedule, the Governor acts in their discretion to determine the share of royalties from licenses or leases for mineral extraction payable to Autonomous District Councils.

The Governor’s discretionary power to reserve a bill for the President’s consideration is NOT applicable to which type of bill?

Money Bill of the state
Constitutional bills
Financial bills
Ordinary state bill

Explanation: A Governor cannot return a Money Bill for reconsideration to the state legislature, and their power to reserve it for the President is extremely restricted, effectively non-discretionary given it is introduced with their prior recommendation.

The Supreme Court in 2023 strongly criticized Governors for delaying assent to bills, asserting they cannot indefinitely delay actions, primarily referring to which state?

Rajasthan
State of Punjab
Gujarat
Kerala state

Explanation: In 2023, hearing a petition from the State of Punjab, the Supreme Court ruled that Governors cannot sit on bills passed by the assembly indefinitely, clarifying limits on the 'pocket veto'.

The Governor cannot promulgate an ordinance without prior instructions from the President if a similar bill required Presidential:

Prior sanction
Final formal approval
Legal review
Official judicial consent

Explanation: Under Article 213, if a bill containing similar provisions would have required the prior sanction of the President for its introduction in the legislature, the Governor must obtain presidential instructions before promulgating the ordinance.

The Supreme Court asserted that a Governor's decision to grant sanction for the prosecution of a Chief Minister can be exercised independently, without cabinet advice, in which scenario?

If the High Court orders
When cabinet has explicit bias
During a national emergency
In all corruption cases

Explanation: In MP Special Police Establishment v State of MP (2004), the Supreme Court ruled that if the Council of Ministers exhibits clear bias in refusing sanction to prosecute ministers, the Governor can act in their own discretion.

Which Article dictates that the Governor is to be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal?

Article 155
Rule 153
Article 156
Article 154

Explanation: Article 155 clearly states that the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.

Which specific Article mandates that executive actions of the state government are formally taken in the Governor's name?

Art 164
The Article 167
Rule 163
Article 166

Explanation: Article 166(1) states that all executive action of the Government of a State shall be expressed to be taken in the name of the Governor.

The Governor's immunity from legal proceedings does not exempt them from civil suits for personal acts if given a notice of:

Six full months
Two months
Three months
One month

Explanation: Article 361 allows civil proceedings to be brought against a Governor for personal acts, but only after providing a two months' prior written notice.

The State Finance Commission, which reviews the financial position of panchayats, is constituted every five years by the:

Finance Minister
State Legislature
Chief Minister
Governor

Explanation: Under Article 243I, the Governor is responsible for constituting the State Finance Commission every five years to review the financial health of local bodies.

Under Article 371H, the Governor of which state has special responsibility regarding law and order, subject to the President's directions?

State Nagaland region
State of Assam
Arunachal Pradesh
State of Mizoram

Explanation: Article 371H grants the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh special responsibility for law and order, allowing them to exercise individual judgment if necessary.

Which Article dictates that the Governor’s power to reserve a bill is discretionary if it endangers the High Court's position?

Article 200
Constitutional Article 201
Article 213 provision
Art 161

Explanation: Article 200 contains a mandatory clause requiring the Governor to reserve for the President's consideration any bill that, in their opinion, would derogate from the powers of the High Court.

Which Article establishes that there shall be a Governor for each state, while the 7th Amendment added the proviso for joint Governors?

Article 153
Article 164 provision
Constitutional 161
Art 155

Explanation: Article 153 states 'There shall be a Governor for each State', and the 7th Amendment appended the proviso allowing one person to act as Governor for multiple states.

In which case did the Supreme Court state that the Governor cannot demand a floor test merely to resolve internal party disputes or intra-party democracy issues?

SR Bommai judgement
Shiv Sena political crisis
Nabam Rebia case
Kihoto Hollohan verdict

Explanation: In Subhash Desai v. Principal Secretary (Shiv Sena crisis, 2023), the Court ruled that the Governor cannot use the floor test to resolve internal party rebellions or as a tool for intra-party democracy.

In a state with a bicameral legislature, what fraction of the Legislative Council members are nominated by the Governor?

One twelfth component
Quarter of the council
Exactly one third
One sixth fraction

Explanation: Under Article 171, one-sixth of the members of the State Legislative Council are nominated by the Governor from among persons having special knowledge in literature, science, art, cooperative movement, or social service.

Which constitutional article empowers the Governor to reserve a bill for the consideration of the President?

Article 200
Rule 163
Art 161
The Article 201

Explanation: Article 200 grants the Governor the power to either assent to a bill, withhold assent, return it, or reserve it for the President's consideration.

The salary and allowances of the Governor are charged upon the Consolidated Fund of the:

Joint funds
State
The Union
Local body

Explanation: According to the Constitution, the emoluments and allowances of the Governor and other expenditures relating to their office are charged on the Consolidated Fund of the State.

Under Article 371C, the Governor of which state is given special responsibility regarding the administration of Hill Areas?

Manipur
Meghalaya
Nagaland
Arunachal Pradesh

Explanation: Article 371C empowers the President to provide for the creation of a committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly consisting of members elected from the Hill Areas, and gives the Governor special responsibility to secure its proper functioning.

In the event of the Governor’s demise, the President makes ad-hoc arrangements for the discharge of functions under which Article?

Rule 153
The Article 156
Art 159
Article 160

Explanation: Article 160 allows the President to make such provision as they think fit for the discharge of the functions of the Governor in any contingency not provided for in the Constitution.

The Supreme Court ruled in the Shamsher Singh case that the Governor's satisfaction is legally the satisfaction of the:

State Legislature
President
Council of Ministers
Chief Justice

Explanation: In Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab (1974), the Supreme Court ruled that the satisfaction of the President or Governor is formally the satisfaction of their respective Council of Ministers.

Who determines the amount of remuneration given to the Governor when acting as the administrator of an adjoining Union Territory?

Home Ministry
President of India
The State Legislature
Union Parliament

Explanation: When a Governor is appointed to administer an adjoining UT, the proportion of remuneration shared between the State and the UT is determined by the President.

The Governor’s power to reserve a bill for the President is absolute and mandatory when the bill relates to:

High Court powers
State taxation
Fundamental rights
Directive Principles

Explanation: Article 200 explicitly requires the Governor to reserve any bill that, in their opinion, would so derogate from the powers of the High Court as to endanger its constitutional position.

Who holds the constitutional duty to furnish information relating to the administration of the affairs of the State to the Governor?

State Head
Chief Secretary
Chief Minister
State Legislature

Explanation: Article 167 makes it the constitutional duty of the Chief Minister of each State to communicate to the Governor all decisions of the Council of Ministers relating to state administration.

What constitutional principle dictates that the Governor's pardon power is subject to judicial review if exercised arbitrarily?

Basic structure
Sovereign immunity
Fair due process
Rule of law

Explanation: In Epuru Sudhakar v. Govt of AP, the Supreme Court ruled that the Governor's pardoning power cannot be arbitrary, as it must adhere to the rule of law and is subject to judicial review.

Under Article 371G, the Governor of Mizoram has special responsibilities concerning the religious or social practices of the:

Mizo community
Naga tribes
Bodo people
Kuki groups

Explanation: Article 371G restricts Parliament from making laws that affect the religious or social practices of the Mizo community unless the State Legislative Assembly decides to apply them.

The Governor of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, or Mizoram can divide autonomous districts into:

Autonomous regions
The autonomous regions
Independent small districts
Local village councils

Explanation: Under the Sixth Schedule, if there are different Scheduled Tribes within an autonomous district, the Governor has the power to divide the area into autonomous regions.

If a Governor is appointed to administer an adjoining Union Territory, they exercise their functions in relation to that UT:

Only through strict Presidential orders
Via Home Ministry
Independently of state council
With Chief Minister advice

Explanation: Under Article 239(2), when a Governor of a State is appointed as the administrator of an adjoining Union Territory, they exercise their functions regarding the UT independently of their State Council of Ministers.

In the context of financial powers, no demand for a grant can be made in the state legislature except on the recommendation of the:

Chief Minister
Finance Minister
Speaker
Governor

Explanation: According to Article 203(3), no demand for a grant from the consolidated fund of the state shall be made except on the recommendation of the Governor.

According to the Constitution, a Governor's ordinance has the same force and effect as a/an:

Constitutional rule
Executive order
Presidential command
Act

Explanation: Article 213 specifies that an ordinance promulgated by the Governor shall have the same force and effect as an Act of the Legislature of the State.

Article 371A gives the Governor of Nagaland special responsibilities. Which authority's recommendation is required to cease this special responsibility?

State Chief Minister
Home Ministry
Nagaland Assembly
President of India

Explanation: Under Article 371A, the special responsibility of the Governor with respect to law and order in Nagaland ceases only when the President, by order, so directs.

The Governor is constitutionally required to appoint a Tribal Welfare Minister for which of the following states?

State of Bihar
Nagaland
Assam province
Jharkhand

Explanation: Article 164(1) requires a Minister in charge of tribal welfare in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Odisha. Bihar was removed from this list by the 94th Amendment.

Who is the only constitutional authority empowered to remove a State Election Commissioner?

Chief Justice of India
State Legislature
President
Governor

Explanation: Under Article 243K, the State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor but can only be removed in the same manner as a High Court judge, which requires an order by the President after parliamentary impeachment.

Article 167 empowers the Governor to require the Chief Minister to submit for the consideration of the Council any decision taken by an:

Individual Minister
Union Government
External committee
NGO group

Explanation: Article 167(c) allows the Governor to require the Chief Minister to submit a decision taken by an individual minister to the full Council of Ministers for collective consideration.

Under Article 176, the Governor addresses the state legislature at the commencement of the first session after each general election and the first session of each:

Decade
Year
Quarter
Month

Explanation: Article 176 mandates a special address by the Governor to the Legislative Assembly at the commencement of the first session of every year.

Which part of the Constitution details the state executive, consisting of the Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, and Advocate General?

Part V module
Part VI
Part VIII section
Part VII provisions

Explanation: Part VI of the Indian Constitution (Articles 153 to 167) specifically deals with the state executive machinery, including the office of the Governor.

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