This page lists 5 previous year UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination (General Studies Paper-I) questions on Governor (Polity), asked between 2013 to 2019. Choose an option to see the correct answer and the full explanation on the same page.
Showing 1–5 of 5 questions
UPSC 2019Polity · Governor
Q1. With reference to the Legislative Assembly of a State in India, consider the following statements: 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 a particular matter, it follows the Lok Sabha rule on that matter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Article 176(1) states that, through the legislative powers of the Governor, he can address the state legislature at the commencement of the first session after each general election and the first session of each year.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Article 208 of the Indian Constitution empowers State Legislatures to create rules for regulating their procedures and business. The state legislature can formulate its own ad hoc rules or rely on the Speaker’s discretion for procedural clarity. Each state’s legislative assembly has its autonomy in procedural matters, and there is no binding provision mandating the use of Lok Sabha rules unless adopted by the state legislature itself.
Exam tip:
For S2, State Legislature subordinate to the Union Parliament in terms of procedure. Lok Sabha rules aren’t automatically binding on states -- states are federally autonomous in procedural functioning. This statement suggests an automatic fallback -- which is an over generalization hence likely false.
UPSC 2018Polity · Governor
Q2. Consider the following statements: 1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State in 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?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: As per Article 361, which deals with the ‘Protection of President and Governors’, states that ‘no criminal proceedings whatsoever shall be instituted or continued against the President, or the Governor of a State, in any court during his term of office’. However, after giving two months’ notice, civil proceedings can be instituted against him during his term of office in respect of his personal acts.
Statement 2 is correct: As per Article 158, which deals with the ‘Conditions of Governor Office’, states that ‘the emoluments and allowances of the Governor shall not be diminished during his term of office’.
UPSC 2016Polity · Governor
Q3. Consider the following statements: 1. The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State. 2. The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Chief Secretary is ‘chosen’ by the Chief Minister. As the appointment of Chief Secretary is an executive action of the Chief Minister, it is taken in the name of the Governor of the State.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Though the Administrative Reforms Commission, in its report on State Administration in 1969, had recommended that a Chief Secretary should have a minimum tenure of three to four years, there is no fixed tenure for the post of Chief Secretary of a State.
Exam tip:
S1 aligns with Function-person/organisation/ministry match trap as its easy to manipulate to make it false. Is it CM or Governor? For S2, "Fixed tenure", it can be negated by just real life observation of system around you. Such a top post bureaucratic having fixed tenure, wow!
UPSC 2014Polity · Governor
Q4. Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State? 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:
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Under Article 356, President’s Rule is imposed if the President, upon receipt of the report from the Governor of the State or otherwise, is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of the State cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. This comes under the discretionary power of the Governor.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Article 164 (1) states that Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and the other Ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister, and the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.
Statement 3 is correct: As per Article 200 the Governor of a state can use his legislative power to reserve the bill for the consideration of the President.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government does not come under Governor’s discretionary power. In the Nabam Rebia judgement (2016), the Supreme Court held that the exercise of Governor’s discretion under Article 163 is limited and his choice of action should not be arbitrary or fanciful.
UPSC 2013Polity · Governor
Q5. Which one of the following statements is correct?
Explanation
Articles 153 to 167 of Part VI of the Indian Constitution deals with the provisions relating to the Governor of the States. The Governor of the state is the Chief executive head of the state. He is also the constitutional (nominal) head.
Option (c) is correct: Article 156 states that the Governor holds office "during the pleasure of the President," but the Constitution does not prescribe any specific procedure for the removal of a Governor. It is entirely at the discretion of the President.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2019
(a) 1 only
2
2018
(c) Both 1 and 2
3
2016
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
4
2014
(b) 1 and 3 only
5
2013
(c) No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Governor?
This page covers 5 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Governor (Polity), asked between 2013 to 2019. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Governor?
Questions on Governor (Polity) are available for 5 years, from 2013 to 2019. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
