Anand Classes presents detailed State Government – Governor Powers Polity Notes for NDA GK, covering the constitutional position, executive, legislative, judicial, and discretionary powers of the Governor. These notes also include important FAQs and exam-focused MCQs to help NDA aspirants strengthen their General Knowledge and Polity preparation. Click the print button to download study material and notes.
State Government – NDA Polity General Studies Notes
The State Government works at the state level and its executive authority is vested in the Governor and the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister. It functions in a parliamentary system similar to the Union Government but at the state level.
The State Executive
- The Governor and the Council of Ministers, headed by the Chief Minister, together form the State Executive.
- The Governor acts as the nominal head (like the President at the Union level), while the real power lies with the elected Chief Minister and Council of Ministers.
Governor
Appointment
- The Governor is appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers.
- The same person can be appointed Governor for more than one state.
Qualifications (Article 158)
- Must be a citizen of India.
- Minimum age – 35 years.
- Must not be a member of Parliament or any State Legislature.
- Must not hold any office of profit under government.
Tenure
- Normally appointed for 5 years, but holds office at the pleasure of the President (can be removed earlier).
Powers of the Governor
1. Executive Powers
- Appoints the Council of Ministers (on advice of Chief Minister).
- Appoints the Advocate General, Chairman and Members of the State Public Service Commission.
- Acts as the representative of the President in the state.
2. Legislative Powers
- Summons, prorogues, and dissolves the State Legislative Assembly.
- Addresses the first session of the legislature after elections and the first session each year.
- Can issue Ordinances when legislature is not in session.
- Appoints 1/6th members of Legislative Council (where bicameral legislature exists) on CM’s advice.
- Nominates one Anglo-Indian member if community is not adequately represented.
- Gives assent to bills. He may:
i. Give assent.
ii. Return a bill (except Money Bill) for reconsideration. If passed again, must assent.
iii. Reserve a bill for President’s assent.
3. Financial Powers
- Ensures budget is laid before the legislature.
- Money Bills can only be introduced with his recommendation.
4. Judicial Powers
- Consulted by the President in the appointment of High Court judges.
- Appoints judges of courts below High Court.
- Can grant pardon, reprieve, remission for offences under state laws.
5. Emergency Powers
- During President’s Rule (Article 356), the Governor assumes greater authority as a representative of the Union Government.
6. Other Powers
- Receives reports from the State Auditor General.
- Acts as Chancellor of state universities and appoints Vice-Chancellors.
NDA FAQs on State Government & Governor for SSB Preparation
Q1. Why is the Governor called the “nominal head” of the state?
Answer: Because though the Governor is the constitutional head, the real executive authority rests with the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. The Governor mostly acts on their advice. This is a common question in UPSC NDA polity notes preparation, especially when understanding the difference between de jure and de facto authority.
Q2. Can the Governor refuse to sign a bill passed by the State Legislature?
Answer: The Governor cannot outright reject a bill. He has three choices:
- Give assent.
- Return it (except Money Bill). If passed again, must assent.
- Reserve the bill for President’s assent.
This highlights the checks and balances in state-level governance, frequently asked in Anand Classes download UPSC NDA notes type exam practice.
Q3. How is the Governor removed from office?
Answer: The Governor is not impeached like the President. He holds office at the pleasure of the President and can be removed any time. This is a key point in UPSC NDA polity notes preparation and often comes as a tricky multiple-choice question.
Q4. What role does the Governor play in a financial emergency at the state level?
Answer: The Governor ensures that Money Bills are introduced only with his recommendation and that the state budget is properly presented. In emergencies like Article 356, he acts on behalf of the Union to ensure financial stability. This is important for UPSC NDA study material pdf on polity.
NDA MCQs on State Government & Governor for GAT Section of Exam
Q1. Who appoints the Governor of a State in India?
a) Chief Minister
b) Prime Minister
c) President
d) Speaker of State Assembly
Answer: c) President
Explanation: The Governor is appointed by the President of India under Article 155. However, the President acts on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers. This often comes as a direct question in NDA exams.
Q2. What is the normal tenure of a Governor?
a) 3 years
b) 4 years
c) 5 years
d) 6 years
Answer: c) 5 years
Explanation: The Constitution prescribes a 5-year term (Article 156), but the Governor holds office at the pleasure of the President and can be removed anytime before the term ends.
Q3. Under which Article are the qualifications of a Governor laid down?
a) Article 153
b) Article 155
c) Article 158
d) Article 160
Answer: c) Article 158
Explanation: Article 158 specifies the qualifications: citizen of India, minimum age 35 years, not a member of legislature, not holding any office of profit.
Q4. The Governor of a State can nominate how many Anglo-Indian members to the State Legislative Assembly?
a) 1
b) 2
c) 3
d) None
Answer: a) 1
Explanation: If the Governor feels the Anglo-Indian community is not adequately represented, he can nominate one member to the Legislative Assembly.
Q5. Who acts as the Chancellor of State Universities?
a) Chief Minister
b) Governor
c) President
d) Education Minister
Answer: b) Governor
Explanation: The Governor is usually designated as the Chancellor of State Universities, exercising powers such as appointment of Vice-Chancellors.
Q6. Which of the following powers is exercised by the Governor regarding bills passed by the State Legislature?
a) Give assent
b) Withhold assent
c) Reserve for President’s consideration
d) All of the above
Answer: d) All of the above
Explanation: The Governor has three alternatives: assent, return (except Money Bill), or reserve the bill for President’s consideration.
Q7. The Governor of a State is the ________.
a) Real head of the state
b) Nominal head of the state
c) Chief executive head of the state
d) Judicial head of the state
Answer: b) Nominal head of the state
Explanation: The Governor is the nominal head; real executive power lies with the Council of Ministers headed by the CM.
Q8. Which of the following bills can be introduced in the State Legislature only with the prior recommendation of the Governor?
a) Finance Bill
b) Money Bill
c) Constitutional Amendment Bill
d) Ordinary Bill
Answer: b) Money Bill
Explanation: Money Bills can be introduced in the State Legislature only on the recommendation of the Governor.
Q9. Who appoints the Advocate General of a State?
a) Chief Justice of High Court
b) Governor
c) President
d) Chief Minister
Answer: b) Governor
Explanation: The Governor appoints the Advocate General, who advises the state government on legal matters.
Q10. Who can dissolve the State Legislative Assembly before its full term?
a) Chief Minister
b) Governor
c) President
d) Speaker
Answer: b) Governor
Explanation: The Governor can dissolve the Legislative Assembly before the completion of its 5-year term, generally on the advice of the Chief Minister.
Q11. Which Article deals with the appointment of the Governor?
a) Article 153
b) Article 155
c) Article 160
d) Article 356
Answer: b) Article 155
Explanation: Article 155 states that the Governor of a state shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
Q12. The Governor can reserve certain bills for the consideration of the President. Which type of bills must necessarily be reserved?
a) Money Bills
b) Bills affecting High Court powers
c) Finance Bills
d) Election-related Bills
Answer: b) Bills affecting High Court powers
Explanation: Any bill that affects the powers of the High Court must necessarily be reserved for President’s consideration.
Q13. The Governor submits which important annual report to the President?
a) Report on state finances
b) Report on public services
c) Report on constitutional machinery
d) Report on state judiciary
Answer: c) Report on constitutional machinery
Explanation: The Governor submits a report on the constitutional machinery of the state under Article 356, which may lead to the imposition of President’s Rule.
Q14. In case of President’s Rule in a State, who assumes the powers of the State Government?
a) Chief Minister
b) High Court Chief Justice
c) Governor
d) President
Answer: c) Governor
Explanation: During President’s Rule (Article 356), the Governor carries out functions of the state government as a representative of the Union Government.
Q15. Who appoints the judges of courts below the High Court in a State?
a) Chief Minister
b) Governor
c) High Court Chief Justice
d) President
Answer: b) Governor
Explanation: The Governor appoints judges of subordinate courts (below High Court), in consultation with the High Court.
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