Which one of the following statements is correct?
Contents16
- AIn India, the same person cannot be appointed as Governor for two or more States at the same time.
- BThe Judges of the High Court of the States in India are appointed by the Governor of the State just as the Judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President
- CNo procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post
- DIn the case of a Union Territory having a legislative setup, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Lt. Governor on the basis of majority support
Show answer
Answer: (C) No procedure has been laid down in the Constitution of India for the removal of a Governor from his/her post
Let's check each statement:
(a) Wrong — the same person CAN be appointed as Governor for two or more States simultaneously (Article 153).
This has been done multiple times in practice.
(b) Wrong — High Court judges are NOT appointed by the Governor.
They are appointed by the President of India (Article 217), after consultation with the CJI, Governor, and Chief Justice of the concerned HC.
(c) Correct — the Constitution does NOT lay down any specific procedure for the removal of a Governor.
A Governor holds office 'during the pleasure of the President' (Article 156), meaning the President can remove a Governor at any time without giving any reason.
There is no impeachment or formal removal process like for the President or judges.
(d) Wrong — in Union Territories with a legislative setup (like Delhi, Puducherry), the Chief Minister is appointed by the President, not by the Lt. Governor.
The Governor serves 'at the pleasure of the President' under Article 156, meaning removal requires no formal process, impeachment, or stated reasons unlike the President or Supreme Court judges.
This question tests whether students confuse the Governor's removal process with the formal impeachment procedures that exist for other constitutional positions like the President.
Governor Appointment & Tenure
Indian Polity Governor appointed States Article 153
Governor Appointment, Tenure & Multi-State Provisions
Same person can be appointed as Governor for multiple States simultaneously under Article 153
Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President (Article 156)
No specific removal procedure exists in the Constitution
Normal tenure is 5 years but can be terminated anytime
Constitutional Framework
Article 153 mandates that there shall be a Governor for each State, but crucially allows the same person to serve multiple States. The Governor is appointed by the President and serves at the President's pleasure under Article 156.
Key Constitutional Provisions
Article | Provision | Key Point |
|---|---|---|
Article 153 | Governor for each State | Same person can govern multiple States |
Article 155 | Appointment by President | No consultation required |
Article 156 | Term of office | During pleasure of President |
Article 156(1) | Normal term | 5 years unless removed earlier |
Multi-State Governor Examples
Haryana and Punjab have often shared the same Governor
Manipur and Tripura have had common Governors
This arrangement helps in administrative efficiency and cost reduction
Trap: Statement A wrongly claims same person cannot be Governor of multiple States
Confusion: Students mix up 5-year term with 'fixed tenure' — President can remove anytime
False parallel: Unlike judges, Governor has no security of tenure
High Court Judges Appointment
Indian Polity Judges High Court appointed Governor President
High Court Judges: Appointment Authority & Process
High Court judges appointed by President, not Governor (Article 217)
Consultation required with CJI, Governor, and Chief Justice of concerned HC
Governor has no appointing power — only consultative role
Constitutional Provision
Article 217 clearly establishes that High Court judges are appointed by the President of India, not by the State Governor. The Governor's role is limited to consultation only.
Judicial Appointments Comparison
Court | Appointing Authority | Consultation Required | Governor's Role |
|---|---|---|---|
Supreme Court | President | CJI + SC judges | No role |
High Court | President | CJI + Governor + HC Chief Justice | Consultative only |
District Court | Governor | HC Chief Justice + State Public Service Commission | Appointing authority |
HC Judge Appointment Process
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Collegium Recommendation**
Supreme Court Collegium recommends names`"]
s2["`**President's Consultation**
President consults CJI, Governor, and HC Chief Justice`"]
s3["`**Final Appointment**
President issues appointment order`"]
s4["`**Governor's Role**
Governor administers oath of office`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4Trap: Statement B wrongly equates Governor appointing HC judges with President appointing SC judges
Confusion: Governor administers oath ≠ Governor appoints judges
District vs High Court: Governor does appoint District judges but not High Court judges
Governor Removal Procedure
Indian Polity procedure removal Governor Constitution
Governor Removal: Constitutional Silence & Presidential Pleasure
No specific removal procedure laid down in Constitution for Governor
Governor serves during pleasure of President — can be removed anytime
No reasons required for removal unlike President or judges
Constitutional Silence
The Constitution deliberately provides no formal removal procedure for Governors. Article 156 simply states they hold office 'during the pleasure of the President', giving complete discretion to remove without cause or process.
Removal Procedures Comparison
Office | Removal Procedure | Grounds Required | Parliamentary Role |
|---|---|---|---|
President | Impeachment (Article 61) | Violation of Constitution | Both Houses required |
Supreme Court Judge | Impeachment (Article 124) | Proven misbehavior/incapacity | Both Houses required |
Governor | No formal procedure | No grounds required | No role |
Chief Minister | Loss of confidence | Legislative majority lost | Assembly vote required |
Practical Implications
Political tool: Central government can remove Governors for political reasons
Controversial removals: Many Governors removed after change of Central government
Federal tension: Creates Centre-State conflicts in Indian federalism
Correct answer: Statement C correctly identifies Constitutional silence on removal procedure
Students assume: Formal procedure exists like for President/judges — it doesn't
Pleasure doctrine: 'Presidential pleasure' means no security of tenure for Governor
Union Territory Chief Minister Appointment
Indian Polity Union Territory Chief Minister Lt. Governor President
UT Chief Minister Appointment: President vs Lt. Governor Role
UT Chief Minister appointed by President, not Lt. Governor
Applies to Delhi and Puducherry with legislative assemblies
Lt. Governor has no appointing power — only administrative role
Constitutional Framework
In Union Territories with legislative setups (Delhi and Puducherry), the Chief Minister is appointed by the President of India based on majority support, not by the Lt. Governor as Statement D incorrectly claims.
UT Governance Structure
Union Territory | Legislative Body | Chief Minister Appointed By | Administrator |
|---|---|---|---|
Delhi (NCT) | Legislative Assembly (70 seats) | President | Lt. Governor |
Puducherry | Legislative Assembly (33 seats) | President | Lt. Governor |
Chandigarh | No Assembly | No CM | Administrator |
Ladakh | No Assembly | No CM | Lt. Governor |
Delhi Government Structure
# NCT of Delhi
## Central Level
- President appoints CM
- Lt. Governor (Administrator)
- Union Territory status
## State Level
- Legislative Assembly
- Council of Ministers
- Chief Minister
## Powers Division
- Police - Central
- Land - Central
- Public Order - Central
- Other subjects - StateTrap: Statement D wrongly gives appointing power to Lt. Governor instead of President
Confusion: Lt. Governor is administrator but not the appointing authority
Only 2 UTs: Delhi and Puducherry have assemblies — others have no CM