State Governors
Key Concepts
| # | Concept | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Constitutional Head | Governor is the nominal executive head of a state under Article 153; real power lies with the Chief Minister & Council of Ministers. |
| 2 | Appointing Authority | Appointed by the President of India (Article 155); no direct election. |
| 3 | Tenure | 5-year term, but holds office “during the pleasure of the President” (can be removed earlier). |
| 4 | Eligibility | Must be ≥ 35 years, Indian citizen, not hold any office of profit; must be registered voter in some state/UT (need not be same state). |
| 5 | Same Person for Two States | President can appoint one person as Governor of two or more states (7th Constitutional Amendment). |
| 6 | Legislative Powers | Summons, prorogues & dissolves State Legislature; nominates 1/6th members of Legislative Council (if bicameral); gives assent to bills. |
| 7 | Money Bill | Money Bill can be introduced in State Legislature only on Governor’s recommendation. |
| 8 | Ordinance Power | Promulgates ordinances when legislature is not in session (Article 213); maximum validity 6 months + 6 weeks. |
| 9 | Discretionary Powers | Appoints CM when no clear majority; forwards certain bills to President for assent; enjoys limited discretion under Constitution. |
| 10 | Constitutional Analogue | Governor’s position in state ≈ President’s position in Union; both ceremonial heads with similar discretionary & emergency roles. |
15 Practice MCQs
- Who appoints the Governor of a State in India?
Options:
A) Prime Minister
B) President
C) Chief Justice of India
D) Chief Minister
Answer: B) President
Solution: Article 155 empowers the President to appoint the Governor.
Shortcut: “President = Appointments” → President appoints Governor, CJI, CEC, etc.
Tag: Constitutional Provision
- The minimum age for appointment as Governor of a State is
Options:
A) 21 years
B) 25 years
C) 30 years
D) 35 years
Answer: D) 35 years
Solution: Article 157 specifies 35 years as the minimum age.
Shortcut: “Governor = 35; CM = 25; MP = 25/30”
Tag: Eligibility
- Which Constitutional Amendment enabled the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more States?
Options:
A) 42nd
B) 44th
C) 7th
D) 24th
Answer: C) 7th
Solution: 7th Amendment, 1956 inserted the provision.
Shortcut: “7th = States’ Reorganisation → One Governor, Two States”
Tag: Amendment
- The Governor can promulgate an Ordinance only when
Options:
A) The Chief Minister requests
B) The State Legislature is not in session
C) The President gives prior consent
D) There is a constitutional breakdown
Answer: B) The State Legislature is not in session
Solution: Article 213; ordinance route open only when legislature is not sitting.
Shortcut: “Ordinance = No House”
Tag: Legislative Power
- Who was the first woman Governor of an Indian State?
Options:
A) Sarojini Naidu
B) Vijayalakshmi Pandit
C) Sucheta Kripalani
D) Indira Gandhi
Answer: A) Sarojini Naidu
Solution: Governor of Uttar Pradesh (1947-49).
Shortcut: “Sarojini = First Lady Governor; Vijayalakshmi = First Lady CM (UP)”
Tag: First-in-India
- The Governor’s salary is charged on
Options:
A) Consolidated Fund of India
B) Contingency Fund of State
C) Consolidated Fund of the State
D) Public Account of India
Answer: C) Consolidated Fund of the State
Solution: Article 202 read with 266; salary & allowances met from state’s consolidated fund.
Shortcut: “Governor = State → CF of State”
Tag: Finance
- The Governor does NOT take oath before
Options:
A) Chief Justice of High Court
B) President of India
C) Senior-most Judge of High Court
D) Speaker of Legislative Assembly
Answer: D) Speaker of Legislative Assembly
Solution: Oath under Article 159 is administered by CJ/senior-most HC judge; Speaker has no role.
Shortcut: “Speaker = MLA’s head, not Governor’s”
Tag: Oath
- Which of the following bills necessarily requires the Governor’s prior recommendation for introduction?
Options:
A) Bill to amend State List subjects
B) Money Bill
C) Bill affecting powers of High Court
D) Private Member Bill
Answer: B) Money Bill
Solution: Article 199 + 207; Money Bill cannot be introduced without Governor’s recommendation.
Shortcut: “Money = Governor’s signature first”
Tag: Legislative
- Who among the following can NOT be appointed as Governor?
Options:
A) Retired IAS officer
B) Sitting MP of Rajya Sabha
C) Sitting MLA of State
D) Retired Judge of Supreme Court
Answer: C) Sitting MLA of State
Solution: Must vacate MLA seat; office-of-profit clause.
Shortcut: “MLA = Profit office → disqualify”
Tag: Eligibility
- The discretionary powers of the Governor are listed in which Article?
Options:
A) 163
B) 164
C) 167
D) 356
Answer: A) 163
Solution: Article 163(2) provides for discretionary action despite Council of Ministers.
Shortcut: “163 = Governor’s Discretion”
Tag: Constitutional Article
- The Governor addresses the first session of the newly elected State Legislature after general elections. This address is prepared by
Options:
A) Governor himself
B) Chief Secretary
C) Council of Ministers
D) Speaker & CM jointly
Answer: C) Council of Ministers
Solution: Speech outlines government policy; drafted by cabinet.
Shortcut: “Speech = Cabinet draft, Governor reads”
Tag: Legislative Procedure
- Which state has the youngest serving Governor (as on 25 Dec 2025)?
Options:
A) Manipur
B) Telangana
C) Rajasthan
D) Punjab
Answer: A) Manipur
Solution: Latest RRB data set lists 52-yr-old Governor in Manipur; others >55.
Shortcut: “Manipur = Hill State → Younger appointee trend”
Tag: Current Affairs
- If a Governor resigns, to whom should the resignation letter be addressed?
Options:
A) President
B) Prime Minister
C) Chief Minister
D) Chief Justice of India
Answer: A) President
Solution: Article 156; resignation under hand addressed to President.
Shortcut: “Appointed by President → Resign to President”
Tag: Tenure
- The Governor of which state is ex-officio Chancellor of all State Universities?
Options:
A) Kerala
B) Gujarat
C) Maharashtra
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Solution: In every state, Governor is ex-officio Chancellor of state universities by convention & Acts.
Shortcut: “Governor = Chancellor everywhere”
Tag: Miscellaneous
- Which schedule of the Constitution mentions the emoluments & allowances of the Governor?
Options:
A) Second
B) Third
C) Fourth
D) Fifth
Answer: A) Second
Solution: Second Schedule, Part-E.
Shortcut: “2 = Salary list (Prez, VP, Governor, Judges)”
Tag: Schedules
Speed Tricks
| Situation | Shortcut | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Remembering appointment/removal | “APP = President” → Appointed, Pleasure, President | Governor serves at President’s pleasure |
| Age thresholds | 25 (CM/MLA), 30 (MLC), 35 (Governor/Rajya MP) | G-35, CM-25 |
| Ordinance validity | “6+6” → 6 months max life + 6 weeks after reassembly | Re-calculate expiry quickly |
| Money Bill vs Ordinary Bill | “Money needs Governor, Ordinary needs passage” | Only Money Bill needs prior rec. |
| First Woman/First Tribal | “Sarojini-Governor, Draupadi-President” | First woman Governor & President both from UP |
Quick Revision
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| 1 | Governor = executive head of state; real power with elected govt. |
| 2 | Appointed by President; 5-year term, removal anytime. |
| 3 | Must be ≥ 35 yrs, Indian citizen, not hold office of profit. |
| 4 | Can govern two states—7th Amendment 1956. |
| 5 | Appoints CM, Council of Ministers, Advocate-General, Chairman & members of State PSC. |
| 6 | Assent to bills—can reserve some for President (e.g., against fundamental rights). |
| 7 | Promulgates ordinance when assembly not in session; max 6 months + 6 weeks. |
| 8 | Addresses first session every year; speech drafted by cabinet. |
| 9 | Discretionary powers under Art. 163—mainly on CM appointment, bill reservation. |
| 10 | Salary & allowances from Consolidated Fund of State (2nd Schedule). |
BETA
