📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Governor
- Art. 153: a Governor for each state; since the 7th Amendment (1956) one person may be Governor of two or more states.
- Appointed by the President (Art. 155) — Canadian model; qualifications (Art. 157): citizen, 35 years. Term 5 years but at the President's pleasure (Art. 156); resigns to the President.
- Oath: by the Chief Justice of the State HC (Art. 159). No impeachment provision.
- B.P. Singhal (2010): a Governor cannot be removed arbitrarily — reasons must be valid.
| Power | Details |
|---|---|
| Executive | Appoints CM, ministers, Advocate General, State Election Commissioner, SPSC chairman/members (SPSC members are removed by the President) |
| Legislative | Summons, dissolves assembly; nominates 1/6 of Council; ordinance (Art. 213); reserves bills for the President (Art. 200, 201) |
| Pardon (Art. 161) | For offences under state laws; cannot pardon death sentence or court-martial |
| Discretion | Art. 163; report for President's rule (Art. 356); reserving bills; choosing CM in a hung assembly |
- In State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor (April 2025) a two-judge bench set timelines for bills; but in the Nov 2025 Presidential Reference (Art. 143) a Constitution Bench said courts cannot impose fixed timelines, though limited review of prolonged unexplained delay is possible.
📌 2. Chief Minister & Council
- The CM is appointed by the Governor (Art. 164); Council collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly; size ≤ 15% of assembly, minimum 12 (91st Amendment).
- Art. 164(1): a tribal welfare minister is mandatory in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha (94th Amendment 2006 replaced Bihar with Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand).
- Art. 167: CM's duty to inform the Governor. First woman CM: Sucheta Kripalani (UP, 1963).
- Advocate General (Art. 165): highest law officer of the state; appointed by the Governor; qualified to be a HC judge.
📌 3. State Legislature
| Point | Legislative Assembly (Art. 170) | Legislative Council (Art. 171) |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 60–500 (exceptions: Sikkim 32, Goa 40, Mizoram 40) | Max 1/3 of assembly, minimum 40 |
| Election | Direct | 1/3 by MLAs, 1/3 local bodies, 1/12 graduates, 1/12 teachers, 1/6 nominated by Governor |
| Age | 25 | 30 |
| Term | 5 years | Permanent; 1/3 retire every 2 years, 6-year term |
- Art. 169: creation/abolition of a Council — assembly resolution by special majority + Act of Parliament (simple majority).
- 6 states with Councils: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka (J&K Council abolished in 2019).
- The Council can delay a money bill 14 days, an ordinary bill 3 months (first time) + 1 month (second); no joint sitting.
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- Governor's oath = HC Chief Justice; President's oath = CJI.
- No joint sitting at the state level — the assembly prevails.
📌 4. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Who appoints the Governor? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 155.
Art. 155.
Q2. Who administers the oath to the Governor? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 159.
Art. 159.
Q3. Which amendment allowed one person to be Governor of two or more states? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
7th Amendment 1956.
7th Amendment 1956.
Q4. Under which Article does the Governor issue ordinances? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 213.
Art. 213.
Q5. Which sentence can a Governor NOT pardon? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
A Governor can commute but not pardon a death sentence.
A Governor can commute but not pardon a death sentence.
Q6. Under which Article does the Governor reserve a bill for the President? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Art. 200 (President's decision under Art. 201).
Art. 200 (President's decision under Art. 201).
Q7. Which case held that a Governor cannot be removed arbitrarily? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
B.P. Singhal v. Union of India (2010).
B.P. Singhal v. Union of India (2010).
Q8. The state Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 164(2).
Art. 164(2).
Q9. What is the minimum number of ministers in a state Council of Ministers? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Minimum 12 under the 91st Amendment.
Minimum 12 under the 91st Amendment.
Q10. In which state is a tribal welfare minister NOT mandatory? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The 94th Amendment dropped Bihar and added Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand; MP and Odisha already there.
The 94th Amendment dropped Bihar and added Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand; MP and Odisha already there.
Q11. Who was India's first woman Chief Minister? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Sucheta Kripalani, Uttar Pradesh (1963).
Sucheta Kripalani, Uttar Pradesh (1963).
Q12. Who is the highest law officer of a state? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 165 — Advocate General.
Art. 165 — Advocate General.
Q13. Creation or abolition of a Legislative Council is provided in which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 169.
Art. 169.
Q14. How many states currently have a Legislative Council? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
AP, Telangana, UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka.
AP, Telangana, UP, Bihar, Maharashtra, Karnataka.
Q15. Which of these states does NOT have a Legislative Council? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Tamil Nadu's Council was abolished in 1986.
Tamil Nadu's Council was abolished in 1986.
Q16. What fraction of Legislative Council members is nominated by the Governor? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
1/6 — from literature, science, art, co-operation, social service.
1/6 — from literature, science, art, co-operation, social service.
Q17. Minimum age for membership of a Legislative Council? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Council 30, Assembly 25.
Council 30, Assembly 25.
Q18. At most, how long can a Legislative Council delay an ordinary bill in total? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
3 months first time + 1 month second time = 4 months.
3 months first time + 1 month second time = 4 months.
Q19. Who can remove members of a State Public Service Commission? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Appointed by the Governor but removed by the President (Art. 317).
Appointed by the Governor but removed by the President (Art. 317).
Q20. In the Nov 2025 Presidential Reference, what did the SC say about Governors deciding on bills? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
The Constitution Bench said judicially fixed timelines cannot be imposed; limited review of prolonged delay is possible.
The Constitution Bench said judicially fixed timelines cannot be imposed; limited review of prolonged delay is possible.