UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PRESS COMMUNIQUE

Q1. With reference to the Indian Constitution, consider the following statements comparing the office of a Governor with that of the President of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Under Article 155 a Governor is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal, whereas the President of India is elected by an electoral college.
2. Article 156 fixes the normal term of a Governor at five years, but this continuance is subject to the pleasure of the President.
3. Like the President, a Governor can be removed from office only through a process of impeachment by Parliament for violation of the Constitution.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Under which Article of the Constitution is a Governor of a State appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal?

• A. Article 153
• B. Article 155
• C. Article 156
• D. Article 157

Q3. Which one of the following is the issuing authority of a Press Communique that announces the acceptance of a Governor's resignation and the consequent reshuffle of Governors?

• A. The President's Secretariat (Rashtrapati Bhavan)
• B. The Press Information Bureau
• C. The Ministry of Home Affairs
• D. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

Q4. Among the four constitutional functionaries — Governor, Chief Justice of India, Chief Election Commissioner and Comptroller and Auditor General — whose appointments are typically notified through a Press Communique of the President's Secretariat, how many are appointed by the President of India?

• A. Only 1
• B. Only 2
• C. Only 3
• D. All 4

Q5. With reference to the Press Information Bureau (PIB), consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

1. PIB is the nodal agency of the Government of India for disseminating information to the print and electronic media on government policies and programmes.
2. PIB functions under the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
3. The forerunner of PIB was a Cell set up in the Home Department in 1919.
4. PIB is a constitutional body established under a specific Article of the Constitution.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1, 2 and 3
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. The Cell that was the forerunner of the PIB was set up in the Home Department in 1919; about how many years later was it rechristened as the 'Central Bureau of Information'?

• A. About 1 year
• B. About 5 years
• C. About 10 years
• D. About 20 years

Q7. In the context of a Governor's tenure, the expression 'holds office during the pleasure of the President' in Article 156 is best understood to mean which one of the following?

• A. The Governor can be removed only after impeachment by Parliament for proved misbehaviour
• B. The Governor's continuance in office effectively depends on the will of the Union Council of Ministers, on whose advice the President acts
• C. The Governor holds office for an irremovable, fixed five-year term that cannot be cut short
• D. The Governor can be removed only by a resolution passed by the State Legislature

Q8. With reference to the law on removal of a Governor as laid down in B.P. Singhal v. Union of India (2010), consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

1. A Governor cannot be removed merely because the central government is at variance with him on ideological grounds or has lost confidence in him.
2. A decision to remove a Governor can be challenged in a court of law.
3. The case was decided by a Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court.
4. The Court held that a Governor enjoys an absolutely guaranteed five-year tenure that cannot be curtailed under any circumstances.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 4 only
• C. 3 and 4 only
• D. 2 only

Q9. The March 2026 Press Communique of the President's Secretariat approved a reshuffle of Governors and Lieutenant Governors across how many States and Union Territories?

• A. 5
• B. 7
• C. 9
• D. 12

Q10. In the March 2026 Press Communique, the manner in which Dr. C.V. Ananda Bose ceased to hold the office of Governor of West Bengal is most precisely described as which one of the following?

• A. His removal by the President under the doctrine of pleasure
• B. The acceptance of his resignation by the President
• C. The expiry of his five-year constitutional term
• D. His transfer to be the Governor of another State

Q11. Under which Article of the Constitution is there a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor, except where the Governor is required to act in his discretion?

• A. Article 163
• B. Article 164
• C. Article 153
• D. Article 167

Q12. With reference to large-scale gubernatorial reshuffles effected through communiques of the President's Secretariat, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

1. In the October 2023 reshuffle, N. Indrasena Reddy was appointed Governor of Tripura.
2. Such appointments are made by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
3. A Governor of one State may be transferred to be the Governor of another State.
4. One person can be appointed to discharge the functions of Governor for two States only after the prior approval of both State Legislatures.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 4 only
• C. 3 and 4 only
• D. 2 and 3 only