Governor & State Executive MCQ: Legislative Council Nominations, Article 356 Report & Removal

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Which body is the Chief Minister a member of?

   • A.Inter-State Council
   • B.National Development Council
   • C.Governing Council of NITI Aayog
   • D.All of the above✓ Correct Answer

   Explanation: The Chief Minister acts as a member of the Inter-State Council, the National Development Council, and the Governing Council of NITI Aayog.

2. Q2.What happens if a Governor dies in office and no successor is appointed immediately?

   • A.The Chief Minister takes over
   • B.The President designates the Chief Justice of the High Court to act as Governor✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The senior-most Governor of nearby states takes over
   • D.The post remains vacant

   Explanation: The President can make such provisions as he thinks fit for the discharge of the functions of the Governor (Article 160), typically appointing the Chief Justice of the High Court.

3. Q3.Who acts as the Chairman of the State Planning Board?

   • A.The Governor
   • B.The Planning Minister
   • C.The Chief Minister✓ Correct Answer
   • D.The Chief Secretary

   Explanation: The Chief Minister acts as the Chairman of the State Planning Board.

4. Q4.The Governor nominates one-sixth of the members of the State Legislative Council from fields such as:

   • A.Literature, science, art, cooperative movement, and social service✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Politics, sports, and cinema
   • C.Defense, foreign affairs, and finance
   • D.Journalism and law

   Explanation: The Governor nominates members having special knowledge in Literature, science, art, cooperative movement, and social service. (Note: 'Cooperative movement' is unique to states, not in Rajya Sabha).

5. Q5.Can the Governor summon a joint sitting of the two Houses of the State Legislature?

   • A.Yes
   • B.No✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Yes, but only for Money Bills
   • D.Yes, with the Speaker's permission

   Explanation: There is no provision for a joint sitting of the two Houses of the State Legislature in the Constitution.

6. Q6.Who appoints the District Judges?

   • A.The High Court Chief Justice
   • B.The Governor✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The President
   • D.The Chief Minister

   Explanation: The Governor appoints, posts, and promotes district judges in consultation with the State High Court (Article 233).

7. Q7.Can a person be a member of both the State Legislature and the Parliament?

   • A.Yes
   • B.No✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Yes, for a limited period
   • D.Yes, if he donates salary of one post

   Explanation: No, if a person is elected to both, his seat in Parliament becomes vacant unless he resigns from the State Legislature within 14 days.

8. Q8.Money Bills can be introduced in the State Legislature only with the prior recommendation of:

   • A.The Speaker
   • B.The Chief Minister
   • C.The Governor✓ Correct Answer
   • D.The Finance Minister

   Explanation: Money bills can be introduced in the state legislature only with the prior recommendation of the Governor.

9. Q9.Does the Advocate General have the right to vote in the proceedings of the State Legislature?

   • A.Yes
   • B.No✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Only in case of a tie
   • D.Yes, if he is also a minister

   Explanation: The Advocate General has the right to speak and take part in proceedings but does not enjoy the right to vote.

10. Q10.Is the Governor immune from criminal proceedings during his term of office?

    • A.No
    • B.Yes, completely✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Yes, but only for official acts
    • D.No, police can arrest him with warrant

    Explanation: Under Article 361, the Governor enjoys personal immunity from criminal proceedings, even for personal acts, during his term. No process for arrest or imprisonment can be issued.

11. Q11.Which of the following is a constitutional discretion of the Governor?

    • A.Appointment of Chief Minister when no party has a clear majority
    • B.Dismissal of the Council of Ministers when it cannot prove the confidence
    • C.Reservation of a bill for the consideration of the President✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly

    Explanation: Reserving a bill for the President (Article 200) is a constitutional discretion. The others are situational discretions.

12. Q12.The advice tendered by Ministers to the Governor shall not be inquired into in any court. This is provided under which Article?

    • A.Article 163✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Article 164
    • C.Article 167
    • D.Article 169

    Explanation: Article 163 states that the question whether any, and if so what, advice was tendered by Ministers to the Governor shall not be inquired into in any court.

13. Q13.Who is the political head of the services in the State?

    • A.The Governor
    • B.The Chief Minister✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The Chief Secretary
    • D.The Home Minister

    Explanation: The Chief Minister is the political head of the services, while the Chief Secretary is the administrative head.

14. Q14.Under Article 356, the Governor recommends the imposition of President’s Rule based on:

    • A.Advice of the Council of Ministers
    • B.Advice of the High Court
    • C.His own assessment that the state government cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Recommendation of the State Legislature

    Explanation: The Governor acts on his own report/assessment that the constitutional machinery has broken down in the state.

15. Q15.The 'Kitchen Cabinet' or 'Inner Cabinet' consists of:

    • A.All Cabinet Ministers
    • B.The Chief Minister and a few influential colleagues✓ Correct Answer
    • C.The Council of Ministers and the Governor
    • D.The Chief Minister and the Chief Secretary

    Explanation: The Kitchen Cabinet is an informal body consisting of the Chief Minister and a few influential colleagues (who may or may not be ministers) whom he consults frequently.

16. Q16.The Governor can be removed by the President:

    • A.Only after an impeachment process
    • B.On the advice of the Prime Minister
    • C.At any time without assigning any constitutional ground✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Only if the State Legislature passes a resolution

    Explanation: The Constitution does not lay down any grounds for the removal of the Governor by the President.

17. Q17.Which amendment limited the size of the Council of Ministers to 15%?

    • A.42nd Amendment, 1976
    • B.44th Amendment, 1978
    • C.86th Amendment, 2002
    • D.91st Amendment, 2003✓ Correct Answer

    Explanation: The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 limited the strength of the Council of Ministers to 15% of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly.

18. Q18.Who determines the business of the government and allocates it to various departments?

    • A.The Governor, on the advice of the Chief Minister✓ Correct Answer
    • B.The Chief Minister alone
    • C.The Speaker of the Assembly
    • D.The Cabinet Secretary

    Explanation: Under Article 166, the Governor makes rules for the more convenient transaction of the business of the government and for the allocation of said business among ministers.

19. Q19.The Advocate General must resign if:

    • A.The Governor resigns
    • B.The Chief Justice resigns
    • C.The Council of Ministers resigns or is replaced✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The President orders it

    Explanation: Conventionally, the Advocate General resigns when the government (Council of Ministers) resigns or is replaced, as he is appointed on its advice.

20. Q20.Who manages the Contingency Fund of the State?

    • A.The Finance Minister
    • B.The Chief Minister
    • C.The Governor✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Chief Secretary

    Explanation: The Contingency Fund of the State is placed at the disposal of the Governor to meet unforeseen expenditure pending authorization by the State Legislature.