State Government is important part of polity syllabus. Previous Year Question (PYQ) papers are invaluable resources for aspirants preparing for competitive exams like the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examinations. In this article we present important PYQ on State Government.
UPSC PYQ on State Government
Q- If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it? (2022)
(a) This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.
(b) This would create a local self-governing body in that area.
(c) This would convert that area into a Union Territory.
(d) The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category State.
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
The Fifth Schedule of the Constitution governs the administration and management of Scheduled Areas and the welfare of Scheduled Tribes residing in any State except Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. When an area is designated under the Fifth Schedule, it implies that all land within the Scheduled Area is considered indigenous tribal land. Therefore, not only should no land be transferred to non-tribal individuals, but any land currently owned by non-tribal individuals should revert to the possession of Scheduled Tribes if being transferred.
Q- Which one of the following best defines the term “State”? (2021)
(a) A community of persons permanently occupying a definite territory independent of external control and possessing an organized government.
(b) A politically organized people of a definite territory and possessing an authority to govern them, maintain law and order, protect their natural rights and safeguard their means of sustenance.
(c) A number of persons who have been living in a definite territory for a very long time with their own culture, tradition and government.
(d) A society permanently living in a definite with a central authority, an executive responsible to the central authority and an independent judiciary.
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
A state is defined as a community of individuals permanently inhabiting a specific territory, possessing an organized government independent of external control. According to Max Weber, a state is a human society that claims the sole legitimate authority to use physical force within a designated territory. The state is governed by an authoritative body responsible for enforcing a system of rules, which typically includes a constitution, laws, regulations, and common law.
Q- Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense political links or should not have taken part in politics in the recent past? (2019)
(a) First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)
(b) Rajamannar Committee (1969)
(c) Sarkaria Commission (1983)
(d) National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2000)
Answer- Option C
EXPLANATION
The Sarkaria Commission provided recommendations for the appointment of Governors. Established in June 1983 by the Union Government, the commission, chaired by Justice R.S. Sarkaria, was tasked with reviewing center-state relations. It submitted its report to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on October 27, 1987. Furthermore, in 1966, the Central Government appointed an Administrative Reforms Commission comprising six members, with Morarji Desai as chairman, to address issues related to Center-State relations.
Q- Consider the following statements: (2018)
- No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State in any court during his term of office.
- The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a State shall not be diminished during his term of office.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer- Option C
EXPLANATION
The Governor is immune from criminal proceedings while in office. However, civil proceedings can be initiated against the Governor for personal acts during their term, provided that a two-month notice is given beforehand.
Q- Consider the following statements: (2018)
- The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly Shall vacate his/her office if he/she ceases to be a member of the Assembly.
- Whenever the Legislative Assembly is dissolved, the Speaker shall vacate his/her immediately.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
A member serving as Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly will: a) Automatically lose their position if they cease to be a member of the Assembly
b) Have the option to resign from their position at any time by submitting a written resignation to the respective Speaker or Deputy Speaker.
c) Be subject to removal from office by a resolution passed by a majority of all current Assembly members.
When the Legislative Assembly is dissolved, the Speaker will retain their position until just before the first meeting of the Assembly following the dissolution.
Q- With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements: (2018)
- The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State.
- The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha.
Which of the following statements given above is/are Correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 Or 2
Answer- Option A
EXPLANATION
Statement 1 correctly states that the electoral college for the President of India includes elected members from the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, Legislative Assemblies of states, and the Legislative Assemblies of the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry. The President is elected indirectly through the principle of Proportional Representation by means of Single Transferable Vote, as per Article 324 of the Constitution, which empowers the Election Commission of India. Additionally, the value of votes of MLAs varies from State to State based on population, making Statement 1 correct.
Statement 2 is inaccurate as it suggests that the value of votes of all Members of Parliament (MPs) is the same, regardless of whether they are from the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. In reality, the value of votes of MPs from both houses is equal.
Q- Consider the following statements: (2016)
- The minimum age prescribed for any person to be a member of Panchayat is 25 years.
- A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution continues only for the remainder period.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
- Part IX of the Constitution pertains to the Panchayat Raj System in India, which was institutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992.
- Panchayats are constituted through direct elections, and the chairperson of each panchayat is elected as per state laws.
- Each panchayat operates for a term of five years from its inaugural meeting, subject to premature dissolution as per state regulations.
- If reconstituted after premature dissolution, a panchayat serves the remaining term, with exceptions if the remainder is less than six months.
- All individuals above 21 years old and eligible to be state legislature members qualify to serve in a panchayat.
- States have the authority to empower panchayats to impose and manage taxes, duties, tolls, etc.
- A Finance Commission is established every five years to assess the financial status of panchayats and offer recommendations.
- The state election commissioner, appointed by the Governor, oversees and regulates elections to panchayats.
are qualified and experienced to serve as Conciliators, as prescribed by the High Court. Therefore, statement 2 is Correct.
Q- Consider the following statements: (2016)
- The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State.
- The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
The Chief Minister selects the Chief Secretary, and this appointment is executed in the name of the State Governor, making statement 1 incorrect. The Chief Secretary holds the highest administrative position within states and serves as an ex officio secretary to the Council of Ministers.
Contrary to statement 2, there is no set duration for the Chief Secretary’s tenure. The Administrative Reforms Commission, in its 1969 report on State Administration, proposed that Chief Secretaries should ideally serve for a minimum of three to four years.
Q- The fundamental object of the Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? (2015)
- People’s participation in development
- Political accountability
- Democratic decentralization
- Financial mobilization
Select the correct answer using the code given below
(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer – Option C
EXPLANATION
The purpose of Panchayati Raj institutions is to foster grassroots democracy and development by promoting democratic decentralization and encouraging people’s participation. PRI aimed at facilitating swift socio-economic advancement and ensuring fair access to justice, thereby affirming the accuracy of statements 1 and 3. However, statement 2 is inaccurate as political accountability can be attained within any democratic governance framework.
Practice prelims mock tests from here.
Q- Consider the following statements: (2015)
- The Legislative Council of a state in India can be larger in size than half of the Legislative Assembly of that particular state.
- The Governor of a State nominates the Chairman of the Legislative Council of that particular state.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer- Option D
EXPLANATION
Article 171 of the Constitution states the size of a State Legislative Council cannot exceed one-third of the membership of the State Legislative Assembly, but it must have a minimum of 40 members. Therefore, statement 1 is incorrect. Members of the Legislative Council (MLCs) serve for a term of six years, with one-third of the members retiring every two years. The Legislative Council is a permanent body and is not subject to dissolution. The Chairman of the Legislative Council is elected by its members. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.
Q- Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State? (2014)
- Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President’s rule
- Appointing the Ministers
- Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
- Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer- Option B
EXPLANATION
The Governor carries out similar duties to the President, but at the state level. The discretionary powers of the Governor encompass various actions such as selecting a Chief Minister in case no party secures a clear majority, withholding assent to a bill and referring it to the President for approval, reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for the consideration of the President, and overriding the advice of the council of ministers during a state of emergency as outlined in Article 353. Additionally, Article 356 allows the President to impose President’s rule in a state based on the Governor’s report.
Furthermore, the Governor appoints the Chief Minister, other Ministers in accordance with Article 164, and the Advocate General for the State as per Article 165. However, these appointments are not considered part of the Governor’s discretionary powers.
Q- Which one of the following statements is correct? (2013)
(a) In India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor for two or more States at the same time
(b) The Judges of the High Court of the States in India are appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President
(c) No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post
(d) In the case of a Union Territory having a legislative setup, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governor on the basis of majority support.
Answer- Option C
EXPLANATION
The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 permits the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more states simultaneously.
The appointment of Judges of the High Court of the States, they are NOT appointed solely by the Governor. The process is different from that of Supreme Court Judges, High Court Judges are also appointed by the President. The appointment of the Chief Justice of a High Court involves consultation between the President, the Chief Justice of India, and the Governor of the respective state.
The assertion that the Lt. Governor appoints the Chief Minister based on majority support in Union Territories with a legislative setup is also incorrect. The President is responsible for appointing the Chief Minister.
Q- The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective? (2013)
(a) To provide self-governance
(b) To recognize traditional rights
(c) To create autonomous regions in tribal areas
(d) To free tribal people from exploitation
Answer- Option C
EXPLANATION
The aim of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA Act) is to apply the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution to areas identified as Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This legislation seeks to ensure self-governance for inhabitants of Scheduled Areas through traditional Gram Sabha. It also aims to grant indigenous communities control and rights over natural resources while preserving their identity and culture. The enactment of this law has brought about positive developments in the lives of tribal communities that previously faced significant challenges. Given that tribal areas exist in ten Indian states, the PESA Act extends the provisions of Panchayats to these Fifth Schedule Areas.