2014 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I

Question 60: Polity and Governance

Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State?

  1. 1.Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President's rule
  2. 2.Appointing the Ministers
  3. 3.Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
  4. 4.Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

a1 and 2 only
b1 and 3 only
c2, 3 and 4 only
d1, 2, 3 and 4

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

A Governor acts on the advice of the council of ministers except where the Constitution lets the Governor act in discretion. Sending a report to the President on the failure of constitutional machinery (President's rule) and reserving a bill for the President's consideration are discretionary. Appointing ministers is done on the Chief Minister's advice, and the rules for conducting government business are made on the council's advice. So statements 1 and 3 are right.

  • 1. The Governor reports to the President on constitutional breakdown in discretion.
  • 2. Other ministers are appointed on the Chief Minister's advice.
  • 3. Reserving a bill for the President is in the Governor's discretion.
  • 4. Rules of business are made on the advice of the council of ministers.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 2 is not correct, (a), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 2.

    What you needed to know: Other ministers are appointed on the Chief Minister's advice.

Only (b) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 3 or 4.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong. Ministers are appointed on the Chief Minister's advice.
  • (b) Right. The report for President's rule and reserving bills are discretionary.
  • (c) Wrong. Appointing ministers and making business rules are not discretionary.
  • (d) Wrong. Statements 2 and 4 are not discretionary.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.