State Executive & Governor: previous-year questions

Answer: (C) Mrs. Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu became Governor of the United Provinces (Uttar Pradesh) in August 1947, the first woman Governor in free India. Sucheta Kripalani was the first woman Chief Minister, Indira Gandhi the first woman Prime Minister, and Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit a diplomat and later Governor of Maharashtra.

Answer: (C) the Governor of the State

Under Article 316 the Chairman and members of a State Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor, and they hold office for 6 years or until the age of 62 (65 for the UPSC). The favourite follow-up: although appointed by the Governor, they can be removed only by the President (Article 317). The UPSC and a Joint State PSC are appointed by the President. The Prime Minister has no formal appointing role.

Answer: (C) the Governor.

Under Article 165 the Governor appoints as Advocate General a person qualified to be a High Court judge; he is the highest law officer of the State, holds office during the pleasure of the Governor, and can speak in the State Legislature without the right to vote (Article 177). His counterpart at the Centre is the Attorney General, appointed by the President under Article 76. In practice the Governor acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers, but the formal appointing authority is the Governor.