Practice Mode•Instant Explanations & 50:50 Enabled
President Governor MCQs
High-yield multiple choice questions asked in previous years (UPSC, SSC CGL, JKSSB, RRB & State PSCs).
High-Yield Concept Capsule & Key Facts
📌 Foundational constitutional executive component in UPSC CSE, SSC CGL/CHSL, CDS, NDA, and State PSCs.
The President of India (Articles 52 to 78, Part V)
- • Electoral College (Article 54): Elected members of both Houses of Parliament + Elected members of Legislative Assemblies of States and UTs of Delhi, Puducherry, and J&K. (Nominated members of Parliament and State Assemblies do NOT vote).
- • Manner of Election (Article 55): System of proportional representation by means of single transferable vote (STV) and secret ballot. Value of an MLA vote = (Total State Population / Total Elected MLAs) × (1/1000).
- • Term & Qualifications (Articles 56, 58): 5-year term; citizen of India, completed 35 years of age, qualified to be elected as member of the Lok Sabha.
- • Pardoning Power (Article 72): Pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment; includes death sentences and court-martial sentences.
- • Ordinance Making Power (Article 123): Issued when either House of Parliament is not in session; must be approved by Parliament within 6 weeks of reassembly (maximum life 6 months and 6 weeks).
- • Impeachment (Article 61): Sole ground: 'Violation of the Constitution'. Requires 14 days notice signed by 1/4th members of initiating House, passed by 2/3rd majority of total membership in both Houses.
The Governor of States (Articles 153 to 167, Part VI)
- • Appointment & Tenure (Articles 155, 156): Appointed by the President by warrant under hand and seal; holds office during the 'pleasure of the President' (no security of tenure). Completed 35 years of age.
- • Dual Role: Constitutional nominal head of the state government AND vital link/agent representing the Union Government in the state.
- • Pardoning Power (Article 161): Can grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions for offences against state laws; CANNOT pardon a death sentence (only suspend/remit) and CANNOT remit court-martial sentences.
- • Ordinance Power (Article 213): Issued when State Legislature is not in session; must be approved within 6 weeks of reassembly.
- • Discretionary Powers (Article 163): Selection of Chief Minister during hung assembly, recommendation of President's Rule under Article 356, reservation of bills for President's consideration (Article 200).
| Constitutional Dimension | President of India (Part V) | Governor of State (Part VI) |
|---|---|---|
| Constitutional Articles | Articles 52 - 78 | Articles 153 - 167 |
| Method of Assumption | Elected by Electoral College (Art 54) | Appointed by President by warrant (Art 155) |
| Tenure & Removal | 5 years; Impeachment under Art 61 | Pleasure of the President (No fixed tenure) |
| Ordinance Power | Article 123 (Max life 6 mos + 6 wks) | Article 213 (Max life 6 mos + 6 wks) |
| Pardoning Death Penalty | Full power to pardon death sentence (Art 72) | Cannot pardon death sentence (Art 161) |
| Court-Martial Clemency | Full power over military courts | No jurisdiction over military court sentences |
Showing 15 Practice Questions
Q1SSC CGL 2023Easy
Which Article of the Constitution of India provides for the impeachment procedure of the President of India for 'Violation of the Constitution'?
Q2UPSC CSE PrelimsEasy
The President's power to promulgate an Ordinance during the recess of Parliament is governed by which Article?
Q3JKSSB FAA 2022Easy
Who among the following does NOT participate in the election of the President of India?
Sponsored Advertisement
Ad Space • Google AdSense Partner Network
Q4CDS 2022Easy
Under Article 156 of the Constitution, the Governor of a State holds office:
Q5JKSSB VLW 2023Easy
What is the maximum validity period of an Ordinance promulgated by a Governor under Article 213 after the State Legislature reassembles?
Q6UPSC CSE PrelimsMedium
Which of the following powers is exercised by the President of India under Article 72 but CANNOT be exercised by a State Governor under Article 161?
Q7SSC CGL Tier-1Easy
Under which Article can the President of India seek the advisory opinion of the Supreme Court on a question of law or public fact?
Q8JKSSB Sub-InspectorEasy
What is the minimum age prescribed by the Constitution for appointment as a Governor of a State or election as the President of India?
Q9JKPSC KAS PrelimsMedium
Under Article 200, when a Bill passed by the State Legislature is presented to the Governor, which of the following options is NOT available to the Governor?
Q10SSC CHSLEasy
Who administers the constitutional oath of office to the President of India under Article 60?
Q11UPSC CSE / State PSCMedium
In which landmark judgment did the Supreme Court rule that the dismissal of a State Government by the Governor under Article 356 is subject to judicial review?
Q12CDS 2021Hard
What type of veto power does the President of India NOT possess under the Constitution?
Q13JKSSB Patwari 2024Easy
If both the offices of the President and the Vice-President fall vacant simultaneously, who discharges the functions of the President under the President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969?
Q14UPSC CSE PrelimsMedium
The constitutional authority to declare an area as a 'Scheduled Area' under the Fifth Schedule is vested in the:
Q15JKPSC KAS PrelimsMedium
The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1956 amended Article 153 to enable which administrative provision regarding Governors?
Frequently Asked Questions (President Governor)
Q: Who participates in the Electoral College for electing the President of India?
Under Article 54, the Electoral College consists exclusively of: (1) Elected members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, and (2) Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of all States, including the Union Territories of Delhi and Puducherry. Nominated members do NOT vote in the Presidential election.
Q: What is the key difference between the pardoning powers of the President and the Governor?
Under Article 72, the President has the exclusive constitutional authority to pardon death sentences and military court-martial sentences. Under Article 161, the Governor cannot pardon a death sentence (they can only suspend, remit, or commute it) and has zero authority over court-martial punishments.
Q: What is the maximum statutory lifespan of an Ordinance issued under Article 123?
An ordinance must be laid before both Houses of Parliament upon reassembly and ceases to operate after 6 weeks from the date of reassembly. Since the maximum constitutional gap between two parliamentary sessions is 6 months, the theoretical maximum lifespan of an ordinance is 6 months and 6 weeks.
Explore More Indian Polity & Constitution Topics
Ready to test your speed under real exam conditions?
Attempt timed full-length CBT tests with negative marking and percentile analysis.