Question 1

Under Article 161 of the Indian Constitution, which power does the Governor exercise?

Accepted Answer

Article 161 grants the Governor the power to grant pardons, reprieves, remissions, and respites, and to remit, suspend, or commute sentences in certain cases. This is a clemency power exercised by the Governor in the State domain, analogous to the President's power under Article 72.

Question 2

Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the removal of the President from office?

Accepted Answer

Article 61 of the Indian Constitution prescribes the procedure for the removal of the President. The President can be removed by impeachment for violation of the Constitution. The process requires a charge to be preferred by either House of Parliament, investigation, and a two-thirds majority vote in both Houses.

Question 3

Which Article of the Indian Constitution defines the eligibility criteria for the President of India?

Accepted Answer

Article 58 of the Indian Constitution specifies the qualifications required to become President. A person must be a citizen of India, not less than 35 years of age, and qualified for election as a member of the Lok Sabha.

Question 4

What is the term of office for the Vice-President of India as per the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 67 of the Indian Constitution specifies that the Vice-President holds office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office. He is eligible for re-election.

Question 5

Which of the following is NOT a power of the Governor as per the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Governor, as the constitutional head of a State, has executive, legislative, and judicial powers defined in Articles 153–167. However, the Governor cannot dissolve the State Legislative Assembly on his own; only the Chief Minister or the President (through the Governor) can recommend dissolution under Article 174.

Question 6

Under Article 72 of the Indian Constitution, the President can grant pardons and reprieves. Which of the following is NOT included in the President's pardoning powers?

Accepted Answer

Article 72 grants the President power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and remissions of punishment in cases where the punishment is for an offence against Union law or in cases of sentences by court-martial. However, the President CANNOT pardon in cases of impeachment.

Question 7

According to Article 163 of the Indian Constitution, the Governor is bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers in which of the following matters?

Accepted Answer

Article 163(1) states that the Governor shall, in the exercise of his functions, act on and in accordance with the advice of the Council of Ministers, except in matters where the Constitution requires him to act in his discretion (such as appointment of Chief Minister in certain situations, or matters related to the Union).

Question 8

Which of the following statements regarding the term of office of the Vice-President is correct according to the Indian Constitution?

Accepted Answer

According to Article 67(1), the Vice-President holds office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office. The Vice-President is eligible for re-election and can serve multiple terms. There is no constitutional bar on consecutive re-election.

Question 9

Under the Indian Constitution, which of the following powers can the President exercise on the advice of the Council of Ministers, and NOT independently?

Accepted Answer

Article 74(1) of the Indian Constitution establishes that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister as head to aid and advise the President in the exercise of executive functions. The President acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers in matters of executive governance, making the President a constitutional head. However, Article 53 vests executive power in the President, but Article 74 mandates that this power must be exercised on ministerial advice in practice.

Question 10

Which Article of the Indian Constitution establishes the procedure for the removal of the President and specifies that the charge must be for violation of the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Article 61 of the Indian Constitution outlines the impeachment procedure for the President. The charge must be for violation of the Constitution, and the process requires a written notice signed by at least 1/4th of the members of either House, with a 14-day notice period. The President can be removed only if the charge is proved by a majority of not less than 2/3rd of the total membership of that House.

Question 11

Under Article 63 of the Indian Constitution, the Vice-President ceases to hold office if he resigns by writing to whom?

Accepted Answer

Article 63 specifies that the Vice-President holds office for a term of five years and may resign by writing addressed to the President. The resignation becomes effective from the date of receipt by the President. The Vice-President can also be removed by a resolution passed by the Rajya Sabha (not the Lok Sabha), which is unique to this office.

Question 12

Which of the following statements regarding the Governor's power of pardon under Article 161 is INCORRECT?

Accepted Answer

Article 161 grants the Governor the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment in cases where the punishment is for an offence against a law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends. However, the Governor CANNOT pardon in cases of punishment inflicted by a court-martial (military courts) or in cases where the sentence is for an offence against Union law. The Governor's pardoning power is limited to State matters only.

Question 13

According to Article 156 of the Indian Constitution, the Governor holds office for a term of how many years, and can be removed during this term by whom?

Accepted Answer

Article 156 specifies that the Governor holds office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office. However, the Governor can be removed during this term by the President on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Cabinet). The Governor serves at the pleasure of the President, meaning the President can remove the Governor without any formal charges or impeachment procedure (unlike the President who requires impeachment under Article 61). The Governor's removal is an executive decision, not a legislative one.

Question 14

Under the Indian Constitution, which of the following powers can the President exercise on the advice of the Prime Minister, but the President's discretion is NOT completely eliminated even after the 42nd Amendment?

Accepted Answer

Article 74(1) of the Indian Constitution, as amended by the 42nd Amendment (1976), states that the President shall act on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the PM. However, the President retains residual discretionary powers in specific matters. The 44th Amendment (1978) further clarified that while the President must act on PM's advice in most matters, the President cannot be compelled to act against their judgment in matters involving the dissolution of Parliament under Article 75(1) or in exercising powers under Article 356 (President's Rule in states) without constitutional safeguards. The key distinction is that Article 74(1) does NOT grant absolute immunity to presidential discretion in all circumstances.

SSC CPO President, VP & Governor

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President, VP & Governor — Practice Questions

60-Second Revision — President, VP & Governor