States, Governors and state governance — UPSC Prelims PYQs
15 questions in this bank come from States, Governors and state governance, spanning UPSC Prelims papers from 2013 to 2025. Every question here carries all four options, the correct answer and a full explanation.
It has appeared in 10 of the last 16 papers, most heavily in 2025 with 4 questions. That is a steady presence rather than a guaranteed one.
The themes examined most often within it are Governor's Powers and Constitutional Role (11), Political structures and governance (3), State Administration and Structure (3), Affiliated organizations and their roles (1) and Cabinet form of Government principles (1). Those counts are of questions in which the theme is examined, not merely mentioned.
Between them they draw on 17 distinct themes, so this is a broader area than a single revision note can cover. That is 1.0% of the 1433 questions in the bank — useful for deciding how much revision time it deserves.
Its weight has held steady, at roughly 1.2 questions a year across the last five papers.
It was not examined in 6 of those papers. Each question below links to its full explanation and to related questions on the same theme from other years, so a weak area can be worked through in one pass rather than hunted for paper by paper.
UPSC Prelims 20254 questions
- Polity & Governance
Consider the following pairs: State — Description I. Arunachal Pradesh — The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks II. Nagaland — The State came into existence on the basis of a Constitutional Amendment Act III. Tripura — Initially a Part 'C' State, it became a centrally administered territory with the reorganization of States in 1956 and later attained the status of a full-fledged State How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- Polity & Governance
With reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements: I. The Governor of a State is not answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his/her office. II. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the Governor during his/her term of office. III. Members of a State Legislature are not liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said within the House. Which of the statements given above are correct?
- Polity & Governance
Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I-Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State III. Conditions of the Governor's office For a constitutional amendment with respect to which of the above, ratification by the Legislatures of not less than one-half of the States is required before presenting the bill to the President of India for assent?
- Polity & Governance
Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own discretion. II. The President of India can, of his/her own, reserve a bill passed by a State Legislature for his/her consideration without it being forwarded by the Governor of the State concerned. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
UPSC Prelims 20231 question
UPSC Prelims 20211 question
UPSC Prelims 20192 questions
- Polity & Governance
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?
- Polity & Governance
With reference to the Legislative Assembly of a State in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Governor makes a customary address to Members of the House at the commencement of the first session of the year. 2. When a State Legislature does not have a rule on a particular matter, it follows the Lok Sabha rule on that matter. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
UPSC Prelims 20181 question
UPSC Prelims 20171 question
UPSC Prelims 20161 question
UPSC Prelims 20152 questions
- Polity & Governance
Consider the following statements: 1. The Executive Power of the Union of India is vested in the Prime Minister. 2. The Prime Minister is the ex Officio Chairman of the Civil Services Board. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Polity & Governance
Consider the following statements: 1. The Legislative Council of a State in India can be larger in size than half of the Legislative Assembly of that particular State. 2. 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?
