Indian Polity Quiz: Governor and the State Executive

Article 168 says a State legislature consists of the Governor and either one House or two Houses. Where there are two, the upper House is the Legislative Council or Vidhan Parishad, and Karnataka is one of the few States that has kept it.

A bicameral State legislature has a Legislative Assembly and a Legislative Council, and Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh each have both Houses.

It provides that the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.

Article 157 lays down only two qualifications for the office: the person must be a citizen of India and must have completed thirty-five years of age.

Article 159 says the oath of office is administered by the Chief Justice of the High Court exercising jurisdiction in relation to the State, and in his absence by the senior-most judge of that Court available.

Article 161 gives the Governor power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites and remissions of punishment, and to suspend, remit or commute a sentence, in cases relating to matters to which the executive power of the State extends.

It inserted Article 164(1A), under which the total number of Ministers in a State, including the Chief Minister, shall not exceed fifteen per cent of the total number of members of the Legislative Assembly, subject to a floor of twelve Ministers.

The proviso to Article 164(1) requires these States to have a Minister in charge of tribal welfare, who may also be in charge of the welfare of the Scheduled Castes and backward classes or any other work.

It allows the Governor to promulgate an Ordinance when the State legislature, or either House where there are two, is not in session and he is satisfied that circumstances exist which make immediate action necessary.

The Governor appoints as Advocate General a person qualified to be appointed a judge of a High Court; the Advocate General advises the State Government on legal matters, holds office during the pleasure of the Governor, and receives such remuneration as the Governor determines.