Deck 15: Roles and Responsibilities of State Governors and Chief Ministers in India

Question 1

When a State Governor dies or resigns, who normally exercises his functions until a new Governor is appointed?

A)Secretary General of the Governor
B)A person designated by State Cabinet
C)Chief Justice of the High Court
D)Advocate General of the State

Answer 1

Chief Justice of the High Court

Question 2

Chief Minister of a State is responsible to:

A)Governor
B)Legislative Assembly
C)Prime Minister
D)Rajya Sabha

Answer 2

Governor

Question 3

Who is the longest serving Chief Minister in India?

A)Bhajan Lal
B)Hiteshwar Saikia
C)Chimanbhai Patel
D)Jyoti Basu

Answer 3

Jyoti Basu

Question 4

Mark the most correct response:

A)No court has power to compel the Governor to exercise or not to exercise any power or to perform or not to perform any duty
B)The Governor cannot be prosecuted in a civil and criminal court for any act of omission or commission during the period he holds office
C)Both above statements are correct
D)statement (a) is correct while (b) is not

Question 5

Which of the following statements is incorrect?

A)The Governor can refuse to give his assent to a bill
B)The Governor can reserve the bill for the assent of the President
C)The Governor may refuse to invite a leader of the party in Vidhan Sabha who does not command the majority in the House
D)The Governor may dismiss the Speaker of the Vidhan Sabha and the Chairman of Vidhan Parishad

Question 6

Chief Ministers of all the States are ex-officio members of the:

A)Finance Commission
B)Planning Commission
C)National Development Council
D)Inter State Council

Question 7

The question of disqualification of a member of the State Legislature shall be decided by:

A)the Governor in consultation with the President
B)the Governor in consultation with the Election Commission
C)State Legislative Council
D)State Legislative Assembly

Question 8

The Governor is appointed by the:

A)Prime Minister
B)President
C)Chief Minister
D)Chief Justice

Question 9

The maximum permissible period between two sessions of a State Legislative Assembly is :

A)a year
B)six months
C)three months
D)indefinite

Question 10

Which of the following is/are among the discretionary powers of the Governor?
I. Selecting a Chief Minister if no single party has clear majority in the State Assembly.
II. Dismissing a ministry at any time.
III. Reserving a Bill for the President.

A)I and III
B)I and II
C)III only
D)I,II and III

Question 11

The members of the Legislative Council are appointed through:
I. Direct elections
II. indirect elections
III. Nomination

A)I and II
B)II and III
C)I, II and III
D)I and III

Question 12

Ministers in a determined by :

A)the Constitution
B)Parliament
C)State Legislature
D)the Governor

Question 13

The Chief Minister of a State:
I. is elected by the Legislative Assembly.
II. appoints the members of the Council of Ministers.
Ill. determines the strength of the Council of Ministers.
IV. determines the salaries of Council of Ministers.

A)II, III and IV
B)I, III and IV
C)III only
D)l and II

Question 14

The number of seats in Vidhan Sabha is :

A)to be not more than five hundred and not less than 60
B)to be not more than 500 and not less than 60 but an exception is recognished in the case of one State which has only 32 seats
C)to be not more than.600 and not less than 500
D)varies from Vidhan Sabha to Vidhan Sabha

Question 15

The membership of a State Legislative Council:

A)shall not be more than membership of the Assembly
B)shall not be less than 40
C)shall not be less than 2/3rd of total membership of Lok Sabha
D)Both (a) and (b)

Question 16

The State of Jammu and Kashmir was accorded special status under:

A)Article 356 of the Constitution
B)Article 370 of the Constitution
C)Articles 356 and 370 of the Constitution
D)None of the above

Question 17

The special status of Jammu and Kashmir implies the State has:

A)a separate Defence Force
B)a separate Constitution
C)a separature Judiciary
D)All of the above

Question 18

The Governor of which State has been vested with special powers regarding scheduled tribal areas?

A)Arunachal Pradesh
B)Asom
C)Maharashtra
D)West Bengal

Question 19

Which of the following are true?
I. Only some States in India have Legislative Councils.
II. Some members of Legislative Councils are nominated.
III. Some members of Legislative Councils are directly elected by the people.

A)I and II
B)I and III
C)II and III
D)I, II and III

Question 20

The President can directly disallow a State Legislation:

A)in case of any bill
B)in case of money bills
C)in case of bills reserved by the Governor for President's assent
D)Both (b) and (c) above

Question 21

Who among the following is a legal advisor of the State Government as provided by the Constitution?

A)Public Prosecutor
B)Solicitor General
C)Advocate General
D)Attorney General

Question 22

The Legislative Council in a State can be created or disbanded by the:

A)State Legislative Assembly alone
B)Parliament alone
C)Parliament on recommendation of the State Legislature
D)President on recommendation of the Governor

Question 23

Who appoints the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir?

A)Chief Minister of the State
B)Chief Justice of the High Court
C)President
D)Prime Minister

Question 24

If in an election to a State Legislative Assembly the candidate who is declared elected loses his deposit, it means that:

A)the polling was very poor
B)the election was for a multi- member constituency
C)the elected candidate's victory over his nearest rival was very marginal
D)a very large number of candidates contested the election

Question 25

Which of the following is not an essential qualification for appointment as a Governor ?

A)He should be a citizen of India
B)He should be a domicile of the State to which he is being appointed
C)He must have completed the age of 35 years
D)He must not be a member of either House of Parliament

Question 26

When the Governor receives a Bill passed by the State Legislative Assembly, which of the following courses would be most appropriate for the Governor as an agent of the Centre?

A)give assent to the Bill
B)refer the Bill to the President
C)keep the Bill pending
D)exercise veto over the Bill

Question 27

What is the maximum number of elected members in a State Assembly?

A)250
B)300
C)600
D)500

Question 28

One feature distinguishing the Rajya Sabha from the Vidhan Parlshad is :

A)power of impeachment
B)nomination of members
C)tenure of membership
D)indirect election

Question 29

1/12th of the members of the Vidhan Parishad are to be elected:

A)from a graduate constituency
B)amongst the graduate universities of the State
C)from the graduates of any university in any State of India, who have been residing in the State and who have been graduate of at least three years standing
D)None of the above

Question 30

To be a member of a State Council of Ministers, a person :

A)must belong to the Legislative Assembly
B)must acquire membership of the State legislature within six months of such appointment if he is not one already
C)cannot be less than 35 years old
D)will have to be an expert in some field if he is not a member of the legislature

Question 31

A minister in a State is individually responsible to the:

A)Legislature
B)Governor
C)Chief Minister
D)President

Question 32

The Vidhan Sabha is :

A)the permanent house' of State Legislature
B)indirectly elected
C)subject to dissolution
D)has little importance in the State Government

Question 33

The Legislative Council of a State:
I. is not subject to dissolution.
II. can be abolished by the State Legislative Assembly.
III. can be abolished by the President on the Governor's recommendation.

A)I only
B)II only
C)I and II
D)III only

Question 34

What do you understand by the dual role of the Governor?

A)Constitutional and real Executive
B)Head of a State and head of government under certain circumstances
C)Belonging to Central as well as State Executive
D)Constitutional ruler and an agent of the Centre

Question 35

The Contingency Fund of the State is operated by the:

A)President
B)Chief Minister
C)Governor
D)Council of Ministers

Question 36

The States in India can borrow from the market:

A)at their discretion
B)only through the Centre
C)only with the consent of the Centre
D)under no circumstance

Question 37

If the Governor of a State is appointed administrator of an adjoining Union Territory, he exercises his functions:

A)on advice of his Council of Ministers
B)independently of his Council of Ministers
C)according to Parliament's directions
D)according to the directions of the State legislature

Question 38

Grants-in-aid given to States are meant:

A)to show favour to backward States
B)for use in centrally-sponsored schemes
C)to cover gaps on revenue account so that States can undertake beneficial activities
D)for funding the State plan

Question 39

Membership of the legislative Assembly can vary between 60 and 500, but the exception to this rule is/are found in :
I. Puducherry
II. Mizoram
III. Goa

A)I and II
B)II and III
C)II only
D)I, II and III

Question 40

Money Bills can be introduced in the State legislature with the prior consent of the:

A)President
B)Governor
C)Speaker
D)Chief Minister

Question 41

The Central Government can assign any function to the States:

A)on the directive of the President
B)on the recommendation of Parliament
C)any time it wishes to do so
D)with the consent of the State Government

Question 42

The State legislative Assembly participates in the election of:
I. President
II. Vice-President
III. Rajya Sabha members
IV. Members of legislative Council of the State

A)I, II and III
B)I, III and IV
C)I and III
D)I, II, III and IV

Question 43

While appointing a Governor, the President generally consults the Chief Minister of the State. This is :

A)constitutionally imperative
B)a matter of convention
C)because Parliament has legislated to the effect
D)a duty of the President

Question 44

The Chairman of the legislative Council is:

A)appointed by the Governor
B)the Governor (ex-officio)
C)elected by the members of the legislative Council from among themselves
D)appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly

Question 45

The limitations on the authority of the State Legislature do not include:

A)Parliament's authority to make laws on subjects in the State List during an Emergency
B)Parliament's authority to make Laws on State subjects if Rajya Sabha passes a resolution as required by the Constitution
C)the Governor's discretionary power to dissolve the legislature
D)the Governor's power to reserve certain bills for the consideration of the President

Question 46

Consider the given statements and choose the correct response on them.
I. A person can be appointed as Governor of more than one State.
II. A Governor's salary is charged on the Consolidated Fund of India in case of I.
III. In case of I, the Governor's salary is shared by the concerned States.
IV. In case of I, the Governor's salary is paid by the State named by the President.

A)I and II are correct
B)I and IV are correct
C)I and III are correct
D)I is wrong; each State must have one Governor

Question 47

On which of the following matters can a Governor of a State exercise his discretionary powers?
I. Selection of Chief Minister if no political party gets a clear-cut majority.
II ) Dismissal of a Ministry if he is convinced that it has lost majority support.
III. Salaries and allowances of ministers.
IV. Submission of report to President regarding failure of constitutional machinery in the State.

A)I, II and III
B)II, III and IV
C)I, II and IV
D)I, II, III and IV

Question 48

Which of the following are true about Legislative Council of a State?
I. Its total number of members does not exceed two-thirds of total number of members in the Legislative Assembly of that State but is not less than 40.
II ) One-third of its members are elected by the Legislative Assembly, one-third by local bodies, one-twelfth by teachers, one-twelfth by university graduates and one-sixth nominated by the Governor.
III. It cannot be dissolved.4. One-third of its members retire every year.

A)I, II and III
B)II and III
C)II, III and IV
D)I, II, III and IV

Question 49

Consider the following statements: The Constitution of India provides that:
1) the Legislative Assembly of each State shall consist of not more than 450 members chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the State.
2) a person shall not be qualified to be chosen to fill a seat in the Legislative Assembly of a State if he/she is less than 25 years of age.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)1 only
B)2 only
C)Both 1and 2
D)Neither 1 nor 2

Question 50

There is no reservation for the Scheduled Tribes in the Legislative Assemblies of:

A)Punjab, Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh
B)Punjab, Asom and Nagaland
C)Nagaland, Meghalaya and Orissa
D)Asom, Nagaland and Meghalaya

Question 51

Who acts as the Chancellor of State Universities ?

A)Governor
B)Chief Minister
C)Chief Justice of High Court
D)President

Question 52

Which of these States has the Bicameral Legislature?
1) Bihar
2) Gujarat
3) Karnataka
4) Jammu & Kashmir
5) Maharashtra 6. U.P.

A)1, 2, 3, 4, 5
B)1, 3, 4, 5, 6
C)1, 2, 3, 4, 6
D)All of these

Question 53

Which of these States previously had Legislative Councils?
1) Andhra Pradesh
2) Gujarat
3) Kerala
4) Manipur
5) West Bengal
6) Tamil Nadu

A)1 and 3
B)3 and 5
C)5 and 6
D)only 6

Question 54

With respect to Article 371A of the Constitution of India, the Governor of which one of the following States has special responsibility with respect to law and order of the State?

A)Asom
B)Manipur
C)Nagaland
D)Andhra Pradesh

Question 55

Consider the following statements:
1) In India, only the President, but not the Governors of the States, has the power to pardon, commute or suspend the sentence of any person convicted of any offence.
2) In India, though the Governor of a State is its constitutional head during normal times, he acts as the agent of the Centre during periods of Emergency in the State.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A)1 only
B)2 only
C)Both 1 and 2
D)Neither 1 nor 2

Question 56

Which of the following statements is/are correct? Under the provisions of Article 200 of the Constitution of India the Governor of a state may
1) withhold his assent to a Bill passed by the state legislature.
2) reserve the Bill passed by the state legislature for consideration of the President.
3) return the Bill, other than a money Bill for reconsideration-of the legislature.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

A)1 only
B)1 and 2 only
C)2 and 3 only
D)1, 2 and 3

Question 57

Regarding the enactment of an ordinary law, the State Legislative Council:

A)has to agree to the Bill
B)may delay it for a maximum period of four months
C)may disagree to its provisions, in which case a joint sitting is called
D)has nothing to do

Question 58

A: The position of the legislative Council is inferior to that of the legislative Assembly. R1: The very existence of the Council depends on the will of the Assembly. R2: A Bill originating in the Council can be forthwith put to an end by the Assembly rejecting it. R3: One-sixth of the Council's members are nominated by the Governor.

A)A and R1, R2 and R3 are correct and R1, R2 and R3 explain A
B)A, R1 and R3 are correct and R1 and R3 explain A
C)A, R1, R2and R3are correct but only R1 and R2 explain A
D)A and R2 are wrong; R1 and R3 are correct

Question 59

The Governor does not appoint:

A)Judges of the High Court
B)Chief Minister
C)Chairman of the State Public Service Commission
D)Advocate General of the State

Question 60

Point out the powers enjoyed by the President of India but not available to the Governor.
I. Diplomatic Powers.
II. Pardoning death sentence.
III. Veto power over State legislature.
IV. Military powers.

A)I and IV
B)II and III
C)I, II and III
D)I,II and IV

Question 61

The ordinances issued by the Governor are subject to approval by:

A)Parliament
B)State legislature
C)President
D)No one

Question 62

Grants-in-aid are provided every year to such States as are in need of assistanceas determined by the:

A)President
B)Parliament
C)Finance Commission
D)None of the above

Question 63

Which subject was transferred from State List to Concurrent List by the 42nd amendment of the Constitution?

A)Agriculture
B)Education
C)Irrigation
D)Local Self Government

Question 64

In India both direct and indirect taxes are levied by the Central and State Government. Which of the following is levied by the State Governments?

A)Excise Duty on liquor
B)Capital gains Tax
C)Customs Duty
D)Corporation Tax

Question 65

The largest contribution to the total combined annual tax revenue of the Centre States and Union Territories in India is made by :

A)Sales tax
B)Income and Corporation Tax
C)Custom duties
D)Union Excise duties

Question 66

Agricultural Income Tax is assigned to the State Governments by:

A)the Constitution of India
B)the National Development Council
C)the Finance Commission
D)the Inter-State Council

Question 67

The authority empowered to make laws in respect of matters not enumerated in any of three lists is/are:

A)State Legislatures
B)Union Parliament
C)Union Parliament and State Legislatures
D)The Advocate General of the States

Question 68

Both Union and State Legislature can legislate on :

A)criminal law and procedure
B)marriage, contracts and torts
C)economic and social planning
D)All of the above

Question 69

The Central Government's exclusive powers are enumerated in the:

A)Concurrent List
B)State List
C)Union List
D)Federal List

Question 70

Under the Constitution, the residuary powers vest with the:

A)President
B)Supreme Court
C)Union Government
D)State Governments

Question 71

The executive power relating to concurrent subjects remain with:

A)the States
B)the Centre
C)the Constitution
D)the President

Question 72

A change in distribution of powers between the Centre and the States can be done by:

A)the Central Government
B)the federating units by themselves
C)amending the Constitution
D)None of the above

Question 73

The distribution of power between Centre and the States is based on the scheme provided in :

A)Minto-Morley Reforms, 1909
B)Montague-Chelmsford Act, 1919
C)Government of India Act, 1935
D)Indian Independence Act, 1947

Question 74

Union Parliament has the power to legislate on the subjects of all three lists in respect of:

A)Scheduled areas
B)Hill areas
C)Backward areas
D)Union Territories

Question 75

When can a State law on a subject in the Concurrent List get precedence over a Central law on the same subject :

A)in no circumstance
B)if it was made before the Central law
C)if it had got the President's assent before the enactment of the Central law
D)if it had got the President's consent before being introduced as a Bill in the State Legislature

Question 76

The provisions regarding division of taxes between Union and the States:

A)can be suspended during National Emergency
B)can be suspended during Financial Emergency
C)can be suspended only with the consent of the majority of State legislatures
D)cannot be suspended under' any circumstances

Question 77

What can the President do if the States fail to comply with the directives of Central Government:

A)He can dissolve State Legislature and order fresh elections
B)He can send reserve police to the State to secure compliance
C)He can declare the breakdown of constitutional machinery in the State and assume responsibility for the governance of the State
D)Any of the above

Question 78

In the case of a conflict between the Centre and a State in respect of a subject included in the Concurrent List:

A)the State Law prevails
B)the Union Law prevails
C)the matter is resolved by the Supreme Court
D)the law which had been passed first would prevail

Question 79

In which respect have the Centre-State relations been specifically termed as 'municipal relations' ?

A)Centre's control of the State in the legislative sphere
B)Centre's control of the State in financial matters
C)Centre's control of the State in administrative sector
D)Centre's control of the State in planning process

Question 80

Which of the following is/are extra constitutional and extra-legal device (s)for securing co-operation and co-ordination between the States in India?
I. The National Development Council.
II. The Governor's Conference.
III. Zonal Councils.
IV. The Inter-State Council

A)I and II
B)I, III and IV
C)III and IV
D)Only IV