The State Government governs a specific state or Union Territory with a legislature and functions similarly to the Union Government, but at the state level.
👉 Part VI (Articles 152-237) of the Indian Constitution deals with the State Government.
Structure of State Government
The State Government has three main organs, just like the Union Government:
| Organ | Head | Articles |
|---|---|---|
| Executive | Governor + Chief Minister & Council of Ministers | Articles 153-167 |
| Legislature | State Legislative Assembly + Legislative Council (if applicable) | Articles 168-212 |
| Judiciary | High Court | Articles 214-237 |
I. The Executive (Articles 153-167)
1. The Governor (Articles 153-161)
🔹 The Governor is the Constitutional Head of the State, just like the President at the Union level.
🔹 Appointed by the President of India (Not elected).
🔹 Acts as a link between the State and the Central Government.
Powers and Functions of the Governor
✅ Executive Powers:
- Appoints the Chief Minister and other Ministers.
- Appoints the Advocate General, State Election Commissioner, and Vice-Chancellors of State Universities.
- Can recommend President’s Rule (Article 356) if the state government fails to function.
✅ Legislative Powers:
- Summons and dissolves the State Legislature.
- Gives assent to bills or reserves bills for the President’s approval.
- Can nominate 1 Anglo-Indian member to the Legislative Assembly (before the 104th Amendment, 2019).
✅ Judicial Powers:
- Has the power to pardon, remit, or commute sentences (except death sentences).
- Appoints judges of the State High Court (but on the advice of the President).
✅ Discretionary Powers:
- Can send a report to the President recommending President’s Rule (Article 356).
- Can withhold assent to a bill passed by the state legislature.
2. The Chief Minister & Council of Ministers (Articles 163-167)
🔹 The Chief Minister (CM) is the real head of the State Government.
🔹 Appointed by the Governor (leader of the majority party in the State Assembly).
🔹 Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the State Legislative Assembly.
Powers of the Chief Minister
✅ Heads the Council of Ministers.
✅ Advises the Governor on appointments.
✅ Oversees policy implementation in the state.
✅ Acts as a link between the Governor and the State Legislature.
II. The State Legislature (Articles 168-212)
Each state can have either: 1️⃣ Unicameral Legislature – Only Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha).
2️⃣ Bicameral Legislature – Legislative Assembly + Legislative Council (Vidhan Sabha + Vidhan Parishad).
1. Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) – Articles 170-176
✅ Lower House (Like Lok Sabha).
✅ Members are directly elected by the people.
✅ Tenure: 5 years (unless dissolved earlier).
✅ Maximum Strength: 500 members, Minimum Strength: 60 members (Some states have fewer).
2. Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad) – Articles 171-177
✅ Upper House (Like Rajya Sabha, but not in every state).
✅ Members are indirectly elected (1/3 by MLAs, 1/3 by local bodies, 1/6 by Governor, 1/12 by teachers, and 1/12 by graduates).
✅ Tenure: Permanent House (1/3 of members retire every 2 years).
✅ Only 6 States have a Legislative Council:
- Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana.
Powers of the State Legislature
✅ Can make laws on subjects in the State List & Concurrent List.
✅ Controls the State Government through debates, questions, and no-confidence motions.
✅ Passes the State Budget and financial bills.
III. The State Judiciary (Articles 214-237)
1. High Court (Articles 214-231)
🔹 Highest judicial body at the state level.
🔹 Headed by the Chief Justice of the High Court.
🔹 Appointed by the President of India (on the advice of the Chief Justice of India and the Governor).
Powers of the High Court
✅ Can hear appeals from lower courts.
✅ Has the power of Judicial Review (can strike down state laws violating the Constitution).
✅ Can issue writs to protect Fundamental Rights (like the Supreme Court).
✅ Supervises lower courts.
2. Subordinate Courts (Articles 233-237)
- Include District Courts, Sessions Courts, and Magistrate Courts.
- Control over lower courts lies with the High Court.
MCQs on State Government
1. Who is the Constitutional Head of a State?
A) Chief Minister
B) Governor
C) Speaker of Assembly
D) High Court Judge
Answer: B) Governor
2. The Chief Minister is appointed by:
A) Prime Minister
B) President
C) Governor
D) Chief Justice of High Court
Answer: C) Governor
3. Which Article allows the Governor to recommend President’s Rule in a state?
A) Article 356
B) Article 123
C) Article 72
D) Article 226
Answer: A) Article 356
4. Who is the real head of the State Government?
A) Governor
B) Chief Minister
C) President
D) Speaker of the Assembly
Answer: B) Chief Minister
5. How many states in India have a Bicameral Legislature?
A) 5
B) 6
C) 7
D) 8
Answer: B) 6 (UP, Maharashtra, Bihar, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana)
6. What is the tenure of the Legislative Assembly?
A) 4 years
B) 5 years
C) 6 years
D) Permanent House
Answer: B) 5 years
7. Who administers the oath to the Governor of a state?
A) Chief Justice of the High Court
B) President
C) Chief Minister
D) Speaker of the Assembly
Answer: A) Chief Justice of the High Court
8. Who has the power to dissolve the State Legislative Assembly?
A) Governor
B) Chief Minister
C) Prime Minister
D) Speaker
Answer: A) Governor
9. Which Article deals with the appointment of High Court judges?
A) Article 214
B) Article 217
C) Article 222
D) Article 226
Answer: B) Article 217
10. Who supervises the Subordinate Courts in a State?
A) Governor
B) Supreme Court
C) High Court
D) Chief Minister
Answer: C) High Court
Conclusion
✅ The State Government functions similarly to the Union Government but at the state level.
✅ The Governor is the Constitutional Head, while the Chief Minister is the real head of governance.
✅ The State Legislature makes laws on State List and Concurrent List subjects.
✅ The High Court ensures justice at the state level.
Would you like a mind map or more MCQs on this topic? 😊