UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Second plea filed in SC against T.N. Governor

Q1. The controversy over the Tamil Nadu Governor's demand for physical letters of majority before inviting a Chief Minister turns primarily on how many consecutive articles of the Constitution — the one making the Council of Ministers 'aid and advise' the Governor and the one requiring the Governor to appoint the Chief Minister?

  • A. Two (Articles 163 and 164)
  • B. Three (Articles 162, 163 and 164)
  • C. Four (Articles 163 to 166)
  • D. One (Article 164 only)

Q2. Under Article 163, in the normal course the Governor is bound to act on the advice of which single body as the primary source of aid and advice?

  • A. The Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister
  • B. The President of India
  • C. The Chief Justice of the High Court
  • D. The State Election Commission

Q3. In the context of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly result, describing the TVK as the 'single largest party' precisely means that it:

  • A. Won more seats than any other party but still fell short of the majority mark
  • B. Won an absolute majority of seats on its own
  • C. Polled the highest vote share though not the most seats
  • D. Was the largest party within the pre-poll ruling alliance

Q4. In the 234-member Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, how many seats did the TVK win in the 2026 election?

  • A. 98
  • B. 108
  • C. 118
  • D. 121

Q5. Article 156 provides that a Governor 'shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.' In effect this means that the Governor:

  • A. Has no guaranteed security of tenure and may be removed by the President (i.e. the Union government) at any time
  • B. Holds an irremovable, fixed five-year term that cannot be curtailed
  • C. Can be removed only by impeachment in Parliament
  • D. Holds office until removed by the State Legislative Assembly

Q6. Under the Constitution, the Governor of a State is appointed by which single authority?

  • A. The President of India
  • B. The Prime Minister
  • C. The Union Home Minister
  • D. The Chief Justice of India

Q7. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the 'floor test' was laid down as:

  • A. The only legitimate way to test whether the Council of Ministers enjoys the confidence of the House
  • B. A subjective enquiry the Governor may conduct through letters and interviews
  • C. A confidence vote to be conducted only in a joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament
  • D. An assessment of majority left entirely to the President's satisfaction