How the State Government Works Exercise Solutions | KalviGavani

How to Use This Page

Read each question carefully, attempt it on your own, and then compare your answer with the solutions below. Focus on understanding the reasoning — not just memorising the answer.

Key Concepts (Quick Recap)

I. Choose the Best Answer (MCQs)

Q1. The head of the state government is the

• (a) Governor (b) Chief Minister (c) President (d) Speaker

Q2. Members of the Legislative Assembly are elected for a term of

• (a) 4 years (b) 5 years (c) 6 years (d) 3 years

Q3. The Governor of a state is appointed by the

• (a) Chief Minister (b) Prime Minister (c) President (d) Chief Justice

Q4. The upper house of the state legislature is called

• (a) Lok Sabha (b) Rajya Sabha (c) Vidhan Parishad (d) Vidhan Sabha

Q5. A state which has only the Legislative Assembly and not the Legislative Council is called

• (a) Bicameral (b) Unicameral (c) Federal (d) Unitary

Q6. Who presides over the sessions of the Vidhan Sabha?

• (a) Governor (b) Chief Minister (c) Speaker (d) Deputy Speaker

Q7. An ordinance promulgated by the Governor lapses if not approved by the legislature within

• (a) 4 weeks (b) 6 weeks (c) 2 months (d) 6 months

Q8. The minimum number of seats in a state Vidhan Sabha is

• (a) 40 (b) 50 (c) 60 (d) 80

Q9. A money bill in the state legislature can be introduced only in the

• (a) Vidhan Parishad (b) Vidhan Sabha (c) Either house (d) Joint session

Q10. When the state government fails to function according to the Constitution, the Governor can recommend

• (a) Emergency (b) President's Rule (c) Military Rule (d) Mid-term election

II. Fill in the Blanks

1. The Governor is the constitutional head of the state government. 2. The Chief Minister is the real head of the state government. 3. Members of the Vidhan Sabha are called MLAs (Members of Legislative Assembly). 4. The Vidhan Sabha has a term of 5 years. 5. The Speaker presides over the sessions of the Vidhan Sabha. 6. The Governor appoints the Chief Minister. 7. A Bill becomes an Act after receiving the Governor's assent. 8. Tamil Nadu has a unicameral legislature. 9. The Governor promulgates an ordinance when the state legislature is not in session. 10. The maximum number of seats in a Vidhan Sabha is 500. 11. One-third of the members of the Vidhan Parishad retire every two years.

III. True or False

IV. Match the Following

Set 1:

Set 2:

V. Short Answer Questions

Q1. What are the two houses of a state legislature? The two houses of a state legislature are the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly) and the Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council). The Vidhan Sabha is the lower house whose members are directly elected by the people from territorial constituencies for a term of five years. The Vidhan Parishad is the upper house whose members are indirectly elected by MLAs, local bodies, graduates, and teachers, with some nominated by the Governor. However, not all states have a Vidhan Parishad; only a few states like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka maintain a bicameral legislature.

Q2. Who is the Governor? What are the powers of the Governor? The Governor is the constitutional head of a state, appointed by the President of India. Although the Governor holds significant formal powers, he/she exercises them on the advice of the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. The Governor's key powers include: (1) Appointing the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers, (2) Summoning, proroguing, and dissolving the state legislature, (3) Giving assent to bills or withholding assent, (4) Promulgating ordinances when the legislature is not in session, and (5) Recommending President's Rule when the state government fails to function constitutionally. The Governor also serves as the Chancellor of universities in the state.

Q3. How is the Chief Minister appointed? The Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor of the state. After a state legislative assembly election, the Governor invites the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Vidhan Sabha to form the government. This ensures that the Chief Minister commands the confidence of the house. Once appointed, the Chief Minister selects other ministers and recommends their appointment to the Governor. The Governor then administers the oath of office and secrecy to the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers. If no single party has a clear majority, the Governor may use discretion in selecting the Chief Minister.

Q4. What is the difference between a unicameral and bicameral legislature? A unicameral legislature has only one house, the Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly), where all legislative business is conducted. States like Tamil Nadu, Punjab, and Gujarat follow this system, which is simpler and less expensive to maintain. A bicameral legislature has two houses — the Vidhan Sabha (lower house) and the Vidhan Parishad (upper house). The Vidhan Parishad acts as a revising chamber, providing a second look at legislation before it becomes law. States like Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka have bicameral legislatures. The Constitution allows states to choose between the two systems under Article 169.

Q5. What is an ordinance? An ordinance is a temporary law promulgated by the Governor when the state legislature is not in session. It is issued when an urgent situation requires immediate legislative action and the legislature cannot be convened quickly. An ordinance has the same force and effect as an Act of the state legislature, but it is not permanent. When the legislature reconvenes, the ordinance must be placed before it for approval. If the legislature does not approve it within six weeks of reassembly, the ordinance lapses automatically. The Governor can also withdraw an ordinance at any time.

VI. Detailed Answer Questions

Q1. Explain the structure and functions of the state legislature. The state legislature is the law-making body of the state. Its structure varies depending on whether the state has a unicameral or bicameral legislature.

Structure:

• Vidhan Sabha (Legislative Assembly): The lower house with members directly elected by the people from territorial constituencies. Its term is 5 years, though it can be dissolved earlier by the Governor on the Chief Minister's advice. It is presided over by the Speaker, who is elected by the members. The number of seats is determined by the state's population, with a maximum of 500 and a minimum of 60. The quorum for a sitting is one-tenth of the total membership.
• Vidhan Parishad (Legislative Council): The upper house (present only in some states). It is a permanent body with one-third members retiring every two years, giving it stability and continuity. Members are elected by MLAs, local bodies, graduates, and teachers, and some are nominated by the Governor for their expertise in literature, science, art, or social service. Its maximum strength is one-third of the Vidhan Sabha's strength, with a minimum of 40 members.

Functions: 1. Law-making: The legislature makes laws on State List subjects (police, health, education, agriculture, land) and Concurrent List subjects. Bills must be passed by a majority in the house(s) and receive the Governor's assent to become Acts. 2. Financial functions: The legislature controls the state's finances. Money bills can only be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha. The legislature approves the state budget, taxation proposals, and government expenditure. No tax can be levied or money spent without the legislature's approval. 3. Control over the executive: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Vidhan Sabha. MLAs can question ministers, move adjournment motions, call attention motions, and pass no-confidence motions to hold the government accountable. 4. Electoral functions: The Vidhan Sabha participates in the election of the President of India and elects members to the Rajya Sabha from the state. Members of both houses vote in the election of the President.

Q2. Describe the powers and functions of the Chief Minister. The Chief Minister is the real head of the state government and exercises the following powers:

1. Formation of the Council of Ministers: The Chief Minister selects the ministers and recommends their appointment to the Governor. He/she can ask a minister to resign or recommend dismissal. The Chief Minister decides the portfolio allocations and can reshuffle the cabinet. The size of the council cannot exceed 15% of the Vidhan Sabha's strength.

2. Presiding over cabinet meetings: The Chief Minister presides over meetings of the Council of Ministers and decides the agenda. All major policy decisions are taken under his/her leadership. The cabinet collectively decides on important matters of governance, and the Chief Minister plays a pivotal role in guiding these discussions.

3. Advisory role to the Governor: The Chief Minister advises the Governor on: (a) appointment of the Advocate General, (b) appointment of the State Election Commissioner, (c) summoning and proroguing the legislature, and (d) dissolution of the Vidhan Sabha. The Governor must act on this advice in normal circumstances.

4. Leader of the Vidhan Sabha: The Chief Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Vidhan Sabha and guides government business in the house. He/she announces government policies on the floor of the house and answers questions from opposition members. The Chief Minister sets the legislative agenda in coordination with the Speaker.

5. Link between Governor and Council of Ministers: The Chief Minister communicates all decisions of the Council of Ministers to the Governor and provides information about the state's administration when asked. Article 167 of the Constitution imposes a duty on the Chief Minister to furnish such information to the Governor.

6. Financial powers: The Chief Minister guides the state's financial policy and the budget is presented under his/her guidance. The finance minister, who is a member of the Council of Ministers, works under the Chief Minister's direction in preparing the annual budget and financial statements.

7. Crisis management: During emergencies, the Chief Minister advises the Governor on whether to recommend President's Rule. He/she also plays a key role in coordinating disaster relief and maintaining law and order during crises.

Q3. Explain the role of the Governor in state administration. The Governor is the constitutional head of the state and plays several important roles:

1. Executive powers:

• Appoints the Chief Minister and on his/her advice, the Council of Ministers
• Appoints the Advocate General, State Election Commissioner, and Chairman of the State Public Service Commission
• Acts as the Chancellor of universities in the state
• Appoints the Vice-Chancellors of state universities on the recommendation of the concerned authorities

2. Legislative powers:

• Summons and prorogues the sessions of the state legislature
• Addresses the legislature at the beginning of the first session each year, outlining the government's policy agenda
• Gives assent to bills — can give assent, withhold assent, return the bill for reconsideration, or reserve it for the President's consideration
• Promulgates ordinances when the legislature is not in session, enabling urgent law-making
• Can dissolve the Vidhan Sabha on the Chief Minister's advice
• Nominates one-sixth of the members of the Vidhan Parishad from among persons with special knowledge in literature, science, art, and social service

3. Financial powers:

• The state budget is presented in the legislature on the Governor's behalf
• No money bill can be introduced without the Governor's prior recommendation
• Controls the Contingency Fund of the state, which is used for unforeseen expenditure
• The Finance Commission for the state is constituted on the Governor's directions

4. Judicial powers:

• Can grant pardons, reprieves, and remissions of punishment for offences under state laws
• Can commute sentences (reduce the severity) in cases under state laws
• Appoints district judges in consultation with the High Court
• Cannot, however, pardon a death sentence — that power lies only with the President

5. Emergency powers:

• Can recommend the imposition of President's Rule in the state under Article 356
• Can take over the administration when the state government fails to function according to the Constitution
• During President's Rule, the Governor administers the state on behalf of the President and functions as the effective executive authority

Common Mistakes

• Confusing Governor and Chief Minister: The Governor is the constitutional (nominal) head; the Chief Minister is the real head who exercises actual power.
• Mixing up Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad: Vidhan Sabha is the lower house (directly elected, 5-year term); Vidhan Parishad is the upper house (indirectly elected, permanent body).
• Saying money bills can be introduced in either house: Money bills can ONLY be introduced in the Vidhan Sabha.
• Confusing unicameral and bicameral: Unicameral = one house; Bicameral = two houses. Tamil Nadu is unicameral.
• Confusing state legislature with Parliament: Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha are houses of Parliament (centre), not state legislature. Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad are state-level.
• Saying the Chief Minister is appointed by the President: The Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor, not the President.
• Thinking the Speaker is appointed by the Governor: ❌ Wrong approach — assuming the Speaker is a Governor-appointed post. ✅ Correct approach — the Speaker is elected by the members of the Vidhan Sabha from among themselves. The Governor has no role in appointing the Speaker.
• Confusing ordinance with a permanent law: ❌ Wrong approach — treating an ordinance as a permanent Act that stays in force indefinitely. ✅ Correct approach — an ordinance is a temporary law that must be ratified by the legislature within six weeks of reassembly, otherwise it lapses automatically.

Exam Checklist

• [ ] Can you distinguish between the Governor and the Chief Minister?
• [ ] Do you know the structure of the state legislature (Vidhan Sabha and Vidhan Parishad)?
• [ ] Can you explain the difference between unicameral and bicameral legislatures?
• [ ] Can you describe the powers of the Governor?
• [ ] Can you explain the powers and functions of the Chief Minister?
• [ ] Do you know how a bill becomes an Act in the state legislature?
• [ ] Can you explain what an ordinance is and when it lapses?
• [ ] Do you know the term of the Vidhan Sabha (5 years)?
• [ ] Can you name the presiding officer of the Vidhan Sabha (Speaker)?
• [ ] Do you know that money bills can be introduced ONLY in the Vidhan Sabha, not the Vidhan Parishad?
• [ ] Can you state the minimum (60) and maximum (500) number of seats in a Vidhan Sabha?
• [ ] Can you explain President's Rule (Article 356) and the Governor's role in recommending it?

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