UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Governor’s role in govt. formation

Q1. Which one of the following Commissions on Centre-State relations first codified an order of preference to be followed by the Governor while inviting a leader to form the government in a hung Assembly?

  • A. Rajamannar Committee
  • B. Sarkaria Commission
  • C. Punchhi Commission
  • D. Second Administrative Reforms Commission

Q2. According to the order of preference laid down by the Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions, who has the first/highest claim to be invited by the Governor to form a State government in a hung Assembly?

  • A. The single largest party in the Legislative Assembly
  • B. A pre-poll alliance commanding a majority in the Legislative Assembly
  • C. A post-poll alliance/coalition staking claim with letters of support
  • D. The leader who first secures letters of support from a majority of MLAs and submits them to the Governor

Q3. In the context of government formation in a State, what is meant by a 'composite floor test'?

  • A. A simultaneous vote on the floor of the Assembly to decide which of two or more rival claimants to chief ministership commands the majority
  • B. A floor vote in which the Governor is always personally present to verify the strength of each claimant
  • C. A joint sitting of both Houses of the State Legislature convened to settle a deadlock over chief ministership
  • D. A verification exercise in which the Governor invariably counts the letters of support submitted by all claimants before any vote on the floor