Social Science : Civics : Chapter 1 : How the State Government Works
I. Choose the correct answer
1. The Governor of a state is appointed by
- President
- Vice President
- Prime Minister
- Chief Minister
Ans : President
2. The State Council Minsters is headed by
- The Governor
- Chief Minister
- Speaker
- Home Minister
Ans : Chief Minister
3. Who can summon and prorogue the sessions of the State legislature?
- Home Minister
- President
- Speaker
- The Governor
Ans : The Governor
4. Who does not participate in the appointment of the High Court Judge?
- Governor
- Chief Minister
- Chief Justice of the High Court
- President of India
Ans : Chief Justice of the High Court
5. The age of retirement of the Judges of the High Court is
- 62
- 64
- 65
- 58
Ans : 62
II. Fill in the Blanks.
1. ________ States are there in India at present.
Ans : 29
2. The tenure of the Governor is normally ________ years.
Ans : five
3. The District Judges are appointed by ________.
Ans : the Governor
4. The Governor is the ________ Head of the State.
Ans : constitutional
5. Minimum age for elections as MLA ________ years.
Ans : 25
III. Match the following
1. Governor | Lower House |
2. Chief Minister | Nominal Head |
3. Legislative Assembly | Upper House |
4. Legislative Council | Real Head |
Ans : 1 – D, 2 – B, 3 – A, 4 – C
IV. Choose the correct statement
1. Chief Minister is the chief administrator of the State.
Ans : True
2. The Governor nominates two members of the Anglo- Indian Community to Legislative Assembly.
Ans : False
Correct statement: The Governor nominates one members of the Anglo- Indian Community to Legislative Assembly.
3. The number of judges in the High Courts is not uniform and fixed.
Ans : True
V. Choose the correct statement:
1. The State Legislative Assembly participates in the election of
i) President
ii) Vice – President
iii) Rajya Sabha members
iv) Members of the Legislative Council of the State
- i, ii & iii are Correct
- i & iii are Correct
- i, iii & iv are correct
- i, ii , iii & iv are correct
Ans : i, iii & iv are correct
VI. Answer the following in one or two sentences:
1. Name the two houses of the State legislature.
The State Legislature consists of the Governor and one or two houses. The upper house is called the Legislative Council while the lower house is called the Legislative Assembly.
2. Write the qualifications of the members of the Legislative Assembly?
- The candidate must be a citizen of India.
- He/she must be 25 years and above.
- The candidate must be of sound mind.
- He/she must be an elector for any constituency in the state he is representing from.
3. How is the Chief Minister appointed?
The Governor appoints the leader of the majority party in the State Legislative Assembly as the Chief Minister. He is the head of the State Council of Ministers.
4. How is the Council of Ministers formed?
- The party which gets majority seats in the election forms the government.
- The leader of the majority party in the election is chosen as Chief Minister.
- The Chief Minister chooses his ministers from the MLAs of his party.
- On the advice of the Chief Minister, the Governor appoints the other ministers.
- Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister form the State Government.
VII. Answer the following in detail:
1. Discuss the powers and functions of the Chief Minister.
- The Chief Minister is the chief administrator of the State. All major decisions of the State Government are taken under his leadership.
- The Chief Minister plays an important role in the formation of the Council of Ministers. On the advice of the Chief Minister, the Governor appoints the other Ministers.
- The Chief Minister supervises the activities of different ministries and advises them accordingly. He also coordinates the activities of different ministries.
- The Chief Minister plays an important role in making policies of the State Government ensuring public interest. His voice is final in policy decisions of the State Government.
- The Governor appoints different higher officials of the State Government on the advice of the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers.
2. Discuss the powers and functions of the Legislative Assembly?
The main duty of the Legislative Assembly is to make laws for the state. It can make law on the subjects mentioned in the state list and the concurrent list. However, during state emergency, it cannot exercise its legislative power.
- The assembly has control over the State council of Ministers. The State council of ministers are responsible or answerable to the Assembly for its activities. The Assembly may pass a no confidence motion against the council of Ministers if it is not satisfied with the performance of the council of Ministers.
- The legislative Assembly has control over the finances of the state. A money bill can be introduced only in the Assembly. The government cannot impose, increase, lower or withdraw any tax without the approval of the Assembly.
- The elected members of the Legislative Assembly can take part in the election of the president of India and all members can take part in the election of the members of the Rajya Sabha from the state.
- The Assembly also takes part in the amendment of the Constitution on certain matters.
- So the government has three basic functions: making laws, executing laws and ensuring justice.
3. Write about the powers and functions of the High Court.
- The High Court has been empowered to issue writs of Habeas corpus, Mandamus, Prohibition, Certiorari and Quo Warranto for the enforcement of the fundamental rights and for other purposes.
- Every High Court has a general power of superintendence over all the lower courts and tribunals within its jurisdiction.
- If a case is pending before a sub – ordinate court and the High Court is satisfied that it involves a substantial question of the constitutional law, it can take up the case and decide it itself.
- The High Court controls all the subordinate courts in the State.
- Like the Supreme Court, the High Court also acts as a Court of Record.