The Governor is the constitutional head of a State, the State counterpart of the President at the Union level. Part 6 of the Constitution, covering Articles 153-167, deals with the State executive, of which the Governor is the formal head. Though the Constitution vests the executive power of the State in the Governor, the real power lies with the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister. These notes move from the State executive and the key Articles (153-167), through appointment, qualifications, conditions, oath and term, to the Governor's executive, legislative, judicial, financial and discretionary powers — including the ordinance power under Article 213 and the pardoning power under Article 161 — and finally compare the Governor with the President.
The Governor sits at the top of the State executive in the same way the President sits at the top of the Union executive.
Which Part of the Constitution and which Articles deal with the State executive?
In whom is the real executive power of the State vested?
The Governor is the constitutional (nominal) head, while real executive power is vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the .
The State executive consists of the Governor, the Chief Minister, the Council of Ministers and the of State.
This Article establishes the office of Governor for every State.
Which Article provides that there shall be a Governor for each State?
Which amendment allowed the same person to be appointed Governor for two or more States?
Article provides that there shall be a Governor for each State.
The Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 provided that the same person can be appointed Governor for two or more States.
The Governor is not elected; he is appointed from above.
By whom is the Governor of a State appointed?
Which Article deals with the appointment of the Governor?
Under Article 155, the Governor of a State is appointed by the .
The appointing authority of the Governor is dealt with under Article .
Only two basic qualifications are required to become a Governor.
| Qualification | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Citizen of India |
| Minimum age | 35 years |
What is the minimum age required to be appointed as a Governor?
Which Article lays down the qualifications for appointment as Governor?
To be appointed Governor, a person must have completed the age of years.
One qualification for a Governor under Article 157 is that he must be a citizen of .
Certain conditions keep the office independent and free of conflicting interests.
What is the present salary of the Governor?
Which condition applies to the Governor's office under Article 158?
The present salary of the Governor is Rs. .
The Governor's emoluments are determined by the Governor's (Emoluments, Allowances and Privileges) Act of .
The Governor takes an oath before entering office, administered by the State's top judge.
Who administers the oath of office to the Governor?
In the absence of the Chief Justice of the High Court, who administers the Governor's oath?
The oath of office to the Governor is administered by the of the High Court of the State.
In the Chief Justice's absence, the judge of the High Court administers the Governor's oath.
The Governor's tenure is unusual: it depends on the President's pleasure rather than a fixed guarantee.
| Aspect | Provision |
|---|---|
| Holds office | During the pleasure of the President |
| Normal term | 5 years |
| Removal | By the President at any time; no fixed procedure |
| Resignation | In writing, addressed to the President |
The Governor holds office during the pleasure of whom?
What is the normal term of office of a Governor?
Under Article 156, the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the .
The normal term of a Governor is years from the date he enters office.
As constitutional head, the Governor exercises the State's executive functions on advice, and holds key appointment and ceremonial roles.
The Governor acts as the Chancellor of what in the State?
Appointment, posting and promotion of District Judges are made by the Governor in consultation with whom?
The Governor acts as the of the universities in the State.
The Governor exercises executive functions on the aid and advice of the Council of .
The Governor is an integral part of the State Legislature and controls its sessions and bills.
### Article 200 — Assent to Bills
On a bill passed by the State Legislature, the Governor has four options:
The Governor cannot return a money bill. The power to reserve a bill for the President's consideration is discretionary.
### Article 201 — Bills Reserved for Consideration
When a bill is reserved by the Governor for the President, the President has three options:
| Article | Authority | Options |
|---|---|---|
| Article 200 | Governor (on a State bill) | Assent / withhold / return / reserve for President (4 options) |
| Article 201 | President (on a reserved bill) | Assent / withhold / return (3 options) |
Under which Article does the Governor give assent to bills?
How many options does the Governor have on a bill under Article 200?
The Governor gives assent to bills under Article .
When a bill is reserved for the President under Article 201, the President has options.
When the Legislature is not in session, the Governor can legislate temporarily through ordinances.
Under which Article can the Governor promulgate ordinances?
The Governor's ordinance power under Article 213 is the State counterpart of the President's power under which Article?
The Governor can promulgate ordinances during the recess of the State Legislature under Article .
The Governor can promulgate ordinances only during the of the State Legislature.
The Governor has limited mercy powers over offences against State law — but crucially, not over death sentences.
| Pardoning aspect | Governor (Article 161) |
|---|---|
| Grant pardon for State offences | Yes |
| Pardon a death sentence | No (only the President can) |
| Suspend / remit / commute a death sentence | Yes |
Under which Article does the Governor exercise the pardoning power?
Which of the following can the Governor NOT do regarding a death sentence?
The Governor's pardoning power for State offences is contained in Article .
Only the can pardon a death sentence, not the Governor.
The Governor's financial role centres on money bills, which cannot move without his recommendation.
Money bills can be introduced in the State Legislature only on the recommendation of whom?
Under Article 200, what can the Governor NOT do with a money bill?
Money bills can be introduced in the State Legislature only on the recommendation of the .
Under Article 200, the Governor cannot a money bill.
Unlike the President, the Governor can act in his own discretion in certain situations.
Which power of the Governor is discretionary?
Which of the following is a discretionary situation for the Governor?
The power to reserve a bill for the consideration of the President under Article 200 is .
The Governor may recommend Rule in the State as a discretionary power.
A few extra functions and roles frequently appear in exams.
| Category | Key powers |
|---|---|
| Executive | Constitutional head; acts on aid and advice of Council of Ministers; Chancellor of universities; appoints to State judicial service (with High Court + State PSC); District Judges (with High Court) |
| Legislative | Summon / prorogue Legislature; dissolve Assembly; assent to bills (Article 200); recommend money bills; reserve bill for President (Article 201); ordinances (Article 213) |
| Judicial | Pardons, reprieves, respites, remissions; suspend/remit/commute (Article 161); cannot pardon a death sentence |
| Financial | Money bills only on his recommendation; cannot return a money bill |
Appointment to the judicial service of the State is made by the Governor in consultation with the High Court and which other body?
Which of the following is a legislative power of the Governor?
Appointment to the judicial service of the State is made by the Governor in consultation with the High Court and the State Commission.
The Governor can summon or the State Legislature.
The Governor mirrors the President at the State level, but their pardoning powers differ on one critical point.
| Aspect | Governor (Article 161) | President (Article 72) |
|---|---|---|
| Appointing authority | Appointed by the President (Article 155) | Appointing authority of the Governor |
| Pardon a death sentence | Cannot pardon a death sentence | Can pardon a death sentence |
| Suspend / remit / commute a death sentence | Can suspend, remit or commute | Can suspend, remit or commute |
| Ordinance power | Article 213 (State Legislature recess) | Article 123 (Parliament recess) |
| Term | During the pleasure of the President; 5 years | Fixed 5 years |
On the point of pardoning a death sentence, how do the Governor and the President differ?
The President's ordinance power falls under which Article, compared with the Governor's Article 213?
The President's pardoning power is contained in Article , compared with the Governor's Article 161.
The President has a fixed 5-year term, whereas the Governor holds office during the of the President.
Take 5 questions at a time — tap an option to check. After each round, revise the notes above and take the retest for 5 fresh questions, until you've mastered the whole chapter.