GS2 · 10 marks · 150 words

'The Governor's office is neither decorative nor inconsequential, it assumes a constitutional role of profound essence'. To what extent does the Governor, actively contribute to the governance of a state and reinforce the principles of federalism in the country?

Answered by 6 toppers · CSE 2022–2025

ExecutiveFederalismCentre-State Relations

Syllabus: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

How toppers approached it

From all 6 answers · about 170 words · 67% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A constitutional or legal provision67%
  • A definition17%
  • No separate opening17%

Body

  • Points and prose67%
  • Points33%

Close

  • A way forward50%
  • A source33%
  • No separate close17%

The toppers’ answers

RuhaniAIR 5 · CSE 2023 · 88 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

A governor is the constitutional head of every state.

He gives assent to every bill before it becomes a law.

Body · points and prose

A governor is the constitutional head of every state.

He gives assent to every bill before it becomes a law. → He can also reserve a bill for consideration of President.

Diagram
ROLE OF GOVERNOR IN GOVERNANCE - He is the Chancellor of all state universities - He monitors if the state government is running the state as per the provisions of the Constitutions - He also hears grievances of people in case state government is non-responsive. Eg:- Governor's helpline in West Bengal.
Diagram
ROLE OF GOVERNOR IN FEDERALISM - He acts as a link between Centre and State gov - He can declare a floor test in case of hung assembly - He sends a report to

Centre for President's rule if there is breakdown of constitutional machinery.

Gubernatorial Overreach Eg:- TN's governor TN Ravi edited the Assembly speech whereas he was to abide by the advice of council of ministers.

Diagram
LIMITATIONS OF GOVERNOR - Partisan role of goveonors - Governors act as agents of the Centre and thus, meddle with State government's functionality. - Obstacle Creation - Eg:- Delhi's LG creates difficulties for the AAP government

Thus, there is a need that governors act in a neutral and non-partisan manner to strengthen governance of states and principle of federalism.

Close · a way forward

Eg:- TN's governor TN Ravi edited the Assembly speech whereas he was to abide by the advice of council of ministers. Thus, there is a need that governors act in a neutral and non-partisan manner to strengthen governance of states and principle of federalism.

More on Executive

President, Governors, the council of ministers, ministries and departments.

All GS2 questions on Executive