State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers: RAS Prelims MCQs
78 RAS Prelims MCQs on the State Executive cover the Governor’s office and powers, the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. The articles on the Governor, the pardoning power, the status of ministerial advice and facts about Rajasthan’s executive are asked as facts, statements and sequences.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 61–70 of 78 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q61. Read the following statements concerning the Advocate General: I. The office of the Advocate General is created by an Act of the State Legislature. II. The Advocate General handles all private legal practice alongside state duties without restrictions. III. The Advocate General gives legal advice to the state government. IV. The Advocate General represents the state government in the High Court. V. The Advocate General has the right of audience in any court within the territory of India. Which of the above statements is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The office of the Advocate General is created by Article 165 of the Constitution, not a state act. They have the right of audience in all courts within their state, but not throughout India. Additionally, while they can practice privately, there are specific restrictions to prevent conflicts of interest with their official duties. These points highlight the constitutional nature and limits of the office. The Advocate General is a vital part of the state’s legal machinery. They provide the government with high-level legal advice and represent its interests in court. Their status is unique, combining official duties with the possibility of private practice, provided it does not clash with their responsibilities as the state’s chief law officer.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q62. Identify the correct statement regarding the Council of Ministers:
Explanation
The Council of Ministers is a larger body comprising all categories of ministers, including Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers. In contrast, the Cabinet is a smaller, more powerful inner circle consisting only of senior ministers who meet regularly to make major policy decisions. This distinction is crucial for understanding the hierarchy and decision-making structure within the state’s executive branch.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q63. Arrange the following Chief Ministers of Rajasthan in chronological order of their first tenure: I. Mohan Lal Sukhadia II. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat III. Barkatullah Khan IV. Vasundhara Raje Select the correct sequence:
Explanation
Mohan Lal Sukhadia first became Chief Minister in 1954, followed by Barkatullah Khan in 1971. Bhairon Singh Shekhawat took office for the first time in 1977, and Vasundhara Raje’s first tenure began in 2003. This chronological order reflects the political evolution of Rajasthan, spanning several decades and involving leaders from different political backgrounds and eras of the state’s democratic history. These leaders have each left a significant mark on Rajasthan’s development. From the long tenure of Sukhadia to the first non-Congress government under Shekhawat, these successions show the changing political mandates. Understanding this sequence is key to grasping the history of governance and the shifting political priorities in the state over the years.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q64. Which of the following functions is performed by the Governor under his ‘situational discretion’?
Explanation
Situational discretion refers to powers the Governor exercises based on the political situation rather than explicit constitutional text. The most prominent example is appointing a Chief Minister after an election where no single party wins a majority. In such a hung assembly, the Governor must use their judgment to invite the leader best positioned to provide a stable and sustainable government for the state. This discretion is vital during times of political uncertainty. It requires the Governor to act impartially and in the best interest of democratic stability. By inviting a leader who can prove their majority on the floor of the house, the Governor ensures that the state continues to have a functioning and representative government.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q65. Under the Rules of Business made by the Governor under Article 166, who is primarily responsible for the transaction of the business of the state government?
Explanation
Article 166 empowers the Governor to make rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the state government. Under these rules, the Council of Ministers is primarily responsible for conducting the government’s business. While individual ministers handle specific departments, the collective body remains the core authority for executing the state’s administrative functions and implementing government policies and programs. This collective responsibility ensures that all executive actions have the backing of the entire ministry. The Rules of Business provide the framework for how departments interact and how decisions are reached. By making the Council responsible, the Governor ensures that the state’s administration is handled by a group that is accountable to the legislature.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q66. What is the constitutional provision regarding the salary and allowances of the Chief Minister?
Explanation
The salaries and allowances of the Chief Minister and other ministers are not fixed by the Constitution or the President. Instead, they are determined periodically by the State Legislature through law. This allows the state to adjust remunerations according to local economic conditions and administrative requirements, ensuring that the executive’s compensation remains under the control of the elected legislative representatives. This control by the legislature is a key part of the system of checks and balances. It ensures that the executive’s pay is transparent and subject to public and legislative oversight.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q67. In which situation does the Governor’s special responsibility regarding tribal areas come into play under the Sixth Schedule?
Explanation
The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides for the administration of tribal areas in the four North-Eastern states: Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. In these states, the Governor has special responsibilities and powers regarding the creation and functioning of autonomous district councils. This framework is designed to protect the unique social and cultural interests of tribal populations in these specific regions. These powers give the Governor a more direct role in local administration than in other states. By overseeing the district councils, the Governor ensures that tribal communities have a degree of self-governance. This special responsibility is a unique constitutional feature that recognizes and protects the diverse cultural identities within the Indian federation.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q68. Match the items in List I with those in List II and select the correct answer:
Constitutional Body/Official
Removal process
A. Governor
i. By the President on the basis of a Supreme Court inquiry report
B. State Election Commissioner
ii. At the pleasure of the Governor
C. Members of SPSC
iii. At the pleasure of the President
D. Advocate General
iv. In like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of a High Court Options:
Explanation
The Governor serves at the President’s pleasure, and the Advocate General at the Governor’s pleasure. The State Election Commissioner can only be removed like a High Court judge. Members of the State Public Service Commission are removed by the President following a Supreme Court inquiry. These different removal processes provide varying degrees of independence to these important constitutional and administrative offices. These mechanisms ensure that different officials are protected from arbitrary removal according to the nature of their roles. While political appointees have less security, those in quasi-judicial or electoral roles enjoy higher protection. This balanced approach maintains the integrity of the state’s constitutional machinery and ensures that essential functions are performed without undue pressure.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q69. If a state government is defeated on the vote of thanks to the Governor’s address, what is the consequence?
Explanation
The Governor’s address is a statement of government policy. If the House defeats the motion of thanks for this address, it signifies a lack of confidence in the government’s policies and a loss of its majority. In such a scenario, the Chief Minister is constitutionally obligated to resign, as the government can no longer claim to have the support of the legislative assembly. This defeat is equivalent to a no-confidence motion. Since the address is prepared by the cabinet, its rejection is a direct challenge to the government’s authority. This principle ensures that the executive must always command the majority’s support to continue in office, which is a fundamental requirement of the parliamentary system.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q70. Who serves as the Chairman of the State Planning Board?
Explanation
The Chief Minister serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the State Planning Board. This role highlights the Chief Minister’s responsibility for the state’s long-term economic development and planning. By heading this board, the Chief Minister ensures that developmental goals are aligned with government policies and that there is effective coordination among various departments involved in the planning and implementation processes. This leadership is crucial for setting the state’s economic priorities. The Planning Board acts as an advisory body, and having the Chief Minister at its helm gives its recommendations significant political and administrative weight. This ensures that the state’s developmental agenda is driven by the highest level of the executive branch.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
61
(c) Only I, II and V
62
(b) The Cabinet is a small body of senior ministers, while the Council includes all levels.
63
(a) I, III, II, IV
64
(a) Appointing the Chief Minister when no single party secures a clear assembly majority.
65
(a) The Council of Ministers
66
(d) Determined by the State Legislature
67
(b) In the administration of tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
68
(a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii
69
(d) The Chief Minister must resign as it implies a loss of majority for the government.
70
(a) The Chief Minister
Key facts from State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Article 153 provides that there shall be a Governor for each State.
Article 161 gives the Governor the power to grant pardons for offences against State laws.
Article 361 protects the Governor from answering to any court for the exercise of his powers.
Tikaram Paliwal was the first elected Chief Minister of Rajasthan.
A minister in charge of tribal welfare is constitutionally required in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh and Odisha.
The advice tendered by the Council of Ministers to the Governor cannot be inquired into by any court.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers?
This page has 78 practice MCQs on State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers (Rajasthan Polity and Administration). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which Article gives the Governor the power to grant pardons?
Article 161. It lets the Governor grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment for offences against State laws. The President’s power in Article 72 is wider, and it includes court-martial and death sentences.
Who was the first elected Chief Minister of Rajasthan?
Tikaram Paliwal, who headed the first elected ministry of the State after the 1951-52 general election. Before him, the State was led by appointed or interim heads during the integration phase.
Can courts examine the advice given to the Governor?
No. Article 163(3) says that the question whether any advice was given by the Ministers to the Governor, and what it was, shall not be inquired into in any court.
