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 71–78 of 78 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q71. Read the following statements regarding the dissolution of the legislative assembly by the Governor: I. The Governor can dissolve the assembly on the advice of a Chief Minister who has lost majority support. II. The Governor has the discretion to refuse the advice of a defeated Chief Minister to dissolve the assembly. III. Once the assembly is dissolved, the Governor must immediately take over the state administration directly. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
The Governor generally follows the advice of a majority-holding Chief Minister to dissolve the assembly. However, if a Chief Minister has lost support, the Governor has the discretion to refuse the advice to dissolve the House. Instead, the Governor may look for an alternative leader to form a government, ensuring that elections are not held unnecessarily while the current assembly can still function. This discretionary power prevents a defeated leader from using dissolution as a political weapon. The Governor’s goal is to ensure that a stable government exists as long as possible within the current assembly. By exploring other options, the Governor protects the democratic process and avoids the disruption and expense of premature general elections.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q72. Which constitutional article explicitly protects the Governor from being answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his office?
Explanation
Article 361 protects the Governor from being answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of the office.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q73. Which of the following cabinet committees is typically chaired by the Chief Minister of Rajasthan?
Explanation
In Rajasthan, as in other states, the Chief Minister typically chairs all major cabinet committees, including those for Political Affairs, Economic Affairs, and Investment. This centralized leadership allows the Chief Minister to maintain control over diverse policy areas and ensure that all committee decisions are consistent with the overall strategic goals and political priorities of the state government and its administration. These committees are where the real work of policy formulation happens. By heading them, the Chief Minister ensures that he is directly involved in the most important decisions. This practice strengthens the Chief Minister’s position as the real head of the government and provides for a more integrated and focused approach to state governance.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q74. The Governor addresses the state legislature at the commencement of the first session after each general election. This is known as:
Explanation
The special address by the Governor is a constitutional requirement at the beginning of the first session after each general election and the first session of every year. In this speech, the Governor outlines the government’s policies and legislative program. This address is followed by a debate and a vote of thanks in the legislature, serving as a key democratic procedure. This event is more than just a ceremony; it is an important opportunity for the legislature to review the government’s plans. The subsequent debate allows the opposition to critique these policies. The final vote of thanks is a test of the government’s majority, reinforcing its accountability to the elected representatives of the people.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q75. If an individual who is a member of the legislative council (upper house) is appointed as Chief Minister, which of the following applies to him?
Explanation
A member of the Legislative Council can be appointed as Chief Minister. However, they can only vote in the House of which they are a member. Therefore, such a Chief Minister cannot vote on a motion of no-confidence, which is always moved and decided in the Legislative Assembly. This highlights the primary role of the Assembly in determining the government’s survival. While such a leader can participate in debates in both houses, their voting power is restricted to their own house. This constitutional rule ensures that the ultimate fate of the government rests with the house that is directly elected by the people. It maintains the essential democratic link between the electorate and the executive’s continuation in power.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q76. The following question consists of two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer: Assertion (A): The Constitution does not lay down any specific procedure for the selection and appointment of the Chief Minister. Reason (R): Article 164 only states that the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor. In the context of the above, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Article 164 is brief, merely stating that the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor. It does not detail the selection process. Therefore, the Governor relies on established parliamentary conventions, such as inviting the leader of the majority party. This lack of a rigid constitutional procedure allows for flexibility in various political scenarios while maintaining the core principle of majority support. These conventions are as important as the written text of the Constitution. They provide the practical rules that guide the Governor in making this crucial appointment. By following these established norms, the Governor ensures that the person chosen to lead the state has the necessary democratic legitimacy to command the legislative assembly.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q77. Which of the following is not a category of ministers in the Council of Ministers of a State?
Explanation
The Council of Ministers formally consists of Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State, and Deputy Ministers. While Parliamentary Secretaries are sometimes appointed to assist ministers, they are not constitutionally recognized as a category of the Council of Ministers. Their role is primarily to help ministers in the legislature, and they do not hold the same constitutional status as other ministerial ranks.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
Q78. Read the following statements about the Governor’s role in the legislative process: I. He can return a money bill for reconsideration of the state legislature. II. He can reserve an ordinary bill for the President’s consideration. III. He can withhold his assent to an ordinary bill. IV. He cannot return an ordinary bill if it is passed by the legislature for a second time. Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
The Governor can reserve an ordinary bill for the President, can withhold assent to an ordinary bill and cannot return it when the legislature passes it again. A money bill cannot be returned, so I is wrong.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
71
(b) Only II
72
(b) Article 361
73
(d) All of the above
74
(c) Special Address
75
(d) He cannot vote on a motion of no-confidence in the legislative assembly.
76
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
77
(b) Parliamentary Secretaries
78
(a) II, III and IV
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.
