Theory & Concepts
Master President, Prime Minister, Governor for SSC CGL
Get comprehensive theory, expert shortcuts, and hand-picked practice questions for President, Prime Minister, Governor specifically designed for the SSC CGL 2025-26 pattern.
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40 min readGK: PolityWeightage: High
Union & State Executives: President, PM & Governor
The executive branch consists of the constitutional heads and real administrators at the Union and State levels. For SSC CGL, candidates must learn the selection, powers, and checks on the President, the role of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers, and the dual role of the State Governor. This guide maps out the critical administrative provisions and contains 20 solved questions.
Learning path
- President's Election & Impeachment
- Prime Minister & Council of Ministers
- Governor's Powers & Discretion
- 20 CGL-Pattern Solved Questions
1. The President of India (Articles 52-72)
The President is the head of the State, the first citizen of India, and the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
- Qualifications: Must be a citizen of India, at least 35 years of age, and qualified to become a member of the Lok Sabha. Must not hold any office of profit.
- Election (Article 54): Elected by an Electoral College consisting of:
- Elected members of both Houses of Parliament (nominated MPs do NOT vote).
- Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of States.
- Elected members of the Legislative Assemblies of Delhi and Puducherry.
- Oath: Administered by the Chief Justice of India (CJI), or in his absence, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court.
- Impeachment (Article 61): The President can be removed from office for "Violation of the Constitution". The charge can be initiated by either House of Parliament, signed by 1/4th of the members, and must be passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of both Houses.
- Key Powers:
- **Pardoning Power (Article 72):** Can grant pardon, reprieve, respite, or remission of punishment, or suspend, remit, or commute sentences. *Only the President can pardon a death sentence.*
- **Ordinance Power (Article 123):** Can promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session. Must be approved by Parliament within 6 weeks of reassembly.
- **Emergency Powers:** National Emergency (Article 352), President's Rule (Article 356), and Financial Emergency (Article 360).
2. Prime Minister & Council of Ministers
While the President is the nominal executive head (de jure), the Prime Minister is the real executive head (de facto) of the government.
- Appointment: The Prime Minister is appointed by the President. Other ministers are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- Collective Responsibility (Article 75): The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. If a No-Confidence Motion is passed in the Lok Sabha, the entire council must resign.
- Size limit: The total number of ministers, including the PM, in the Central Council of Ministers cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha (Added by the 91st Amendment Act of 2003).
- Vice-President (Articles 63-69): Holds the second-highest constitutional office. Elected by all MPs of both Houses (no assembly participation). Acts as President when a vacancy occurs.
3. The State Governor (Articles 153-161)
The Governor acts as the nominal executive head at the state level and as an agent/representative of the Central Government.
- Appointment: Appointed by the President. Holds office during the "pleasure of the President". Normal tenure is 5 years.
- Qualifications: Must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years of age.
- Pardoning Power (Article 161): Can grant pardons, reprieves, respites, and remissions. *Unlike the President, the Governor cannot pardon a death sentence*, nor can he pardon sentences of a court-martial.
- Discretionary Powers: Possesses broader discretionary powers than the President (e.g., reserving a state bill for the President's assent, recommending President's Rule in the state).
4. Practice Questions (20 Premium Solved Questions)
Question 01CGL Pattern
What is the minimum age prescribed by the Indian Constitution to become eligible for the election of the President of India?
A) 25 years
B) 30 years
C) 35 years
D) 40 years
Correct answer: C) 35 years
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Check age criteria for executive heads.
Step 2: The minimum age for the President (Article 58), Vice-President (Article 66), and Governor (Article 157) is 35 years.
Conclusion: Option C is correct.
Question 02CGL Pattern
The Electoral College for the election of the President of India does NOT include which of the following?
A) Elected members of Rajya Sabha
B) Elected members of Lok Sabha
C) Nominated members of either House of Parliament
D) Elected members of State Legislative Assemblies
Correct answer: C) Nominated members of either House of Parliament
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Analyze Article 54, which details the Presidential Electoral College.
Step 2: It consists of elected MPs of both Houses and elected MLAs of all states, including Delhi and Puducherry.
Step 3: Nominated members of both Parliament and state assemblies are excluded.
Conclusion: Option C is correct.
Question 03CGL Pattern
Which article of the Indian Constitution outlines the procedure for the impeachment of the President of India?
A) Article 52
B) Article 56
C) Article 61
D) Article 72
Correct answer: C) Article 61
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Article 56 deals with the term of office of the President.
Step 2: Article 61 outlines the specific procedure for removing the President from office via impeachment.
Conclusion: Option C is correct.
Question 04CGL Pattern
Under which Article of the Constitution does the President of India possess the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment?
A) Article 61
B) Article 72
C) Article 123
D) Article 143
Correct answer: B) Article 72
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Article 61 is impeachment; Article 123 is ordinances; Article 143 is consultation with Supreme Court.
Step 2: Article 72 empowers the President to grant pardons and suspend, remit, or commute sentences.
Conclusion: Option B is correct.
Question 05CGL Pattern
Under which Article can the President of India promulgate an Ordinance when both Houses of Parliament are not in session?
A) Article 72
B) Article 110
C) Article 123
D) Article 213
Correct answer: C) Article 123
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: The President's legislative power to issue ordinances is under Article 123.
Step 2: The Governor has similar powers at the state level under Article 213.
Conclusion: Option C is correct.
Question 06CGL Pattern
Who among the following administers the oath of office to the President of India?
A) Prime Minister of India
B) Vice-President of India
C) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
D) Chief Justice of India
Correct answer: D) Chief Justice of India
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Under Article 60, the President must take an oath before entering office.
Step 2: This oath is administered by the Chief Justice of India, or in his absence, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court.
Conclusion: Option D is correct.
Question 07CGL Pattern
Who is the de facto (real) executive head of the Union of India, exercising actual administrative authority?
A) President of India
B) Prime Minister of India
C) Chief Justice of India
D) Home Minister
Correct answer: B) Prime Minister of India
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: The President is the de jure (nominal) executive head.
Step 2: The Prime Minister is the de facto head, leading the Council of Ministers which advises the President in the exercise of his functions.
Conclusion: Option B is correct.
Question 08CGL Pattern
By which Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 was the size of the Union Council of Ministers restricted to 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha?
A) 86th Amendment
B) 91st Amendment
C) 92nd Amendment
D) 93rd Amendment
Correct answer: B) 91st Amendment
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act of 2003 limited the size of cabinets to prevent jumbo ministries.
Step 2: It declared that the total number of ministers, including the PM, cannot exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok Sabha.
Conclusion: Option B is correct.
Question 09CGL Pattern
Who appoints the Governor of an Indian state under the constitutional framework?
A) Prime Minister of India
B) Chief Minister of the State
C) Chief Justice of India
D) President of India
Correct answer: D) President of India
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Under Article 155, the Governor of a State is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
Step 2: The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President (Article 156).
Conclusion: Option D is correct.
Question 10CGL Pattern
What is the minimum age requirement to be appointed as the Governor of a state in India?
A) 25 years
B) 30 years
C) 35 years
D) 40 years
Correct answer: C) 35 years
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Under Article 157, the qualifications for a Governor include Indian citizenship and having completed the age of 35 years.
Conclusion: Option C is correct.
Question 11CGL Pattern
Which article of the Indian Constitution outlines the pardoning powers of a State Governor?
A) Article 72
B) Article 123
C) Article 161
D) Article 213
Correct answer: C) Article 161
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: The President's pardoning power is in Article 72.
Step 2: The Governor's corresponding power is in Article 161.
Conclusion: Option C is correct.
Question 12CGL Pattern
Can a State Governor grant a pardon for a death sentence passed by a sessions court?
A) Yes, the Governor has full concurrent power with the President.
B) No, only the President has the power to pardon a death sentence.
C) Yes, but only with the consent of the Chief Minister.
D) Yes, but only if the crime was committed within the state.
Correct answer: B) No, only the President has the power to pardon a death sentence.
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Under Article 161, a Governor can suspend, remit, or commute a death sentence, but cannot grant a complete pardon for it.
Step 2: The power of a complete pardon for a death sentence rests solely with the President under Article 72.
Conclusion: Option B is correct.
Question 13CGL Pattern
If the office of both the President and the Vice-President falls vacant simultaneously, who discharges the duties of the President?
A) Speaker of the Lok Sabha
B) Prime Minister of India
C) Chief Justice of India
D) Senior-most Governor
Correct answer: C) Chief Justice of India
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Under the President (Discharge of Functions) Act, 1969, the hierarchy is defined.
Step 2: If both offices are vacant, the Chief Justice of India acts as President.
Step 3: Justice M. Hidayatullah is the only CJI to have acted as the President of India under this provision in 1969.
Conclusion: Option C is correct.
Question 14CGL Pattern
Under which article of the Indian Constitution can the President declare a National Emergency due to war, external aggression, or armed rebellion?
A) Article 352
B) Article 356
C) Article 360
D) Article 368
Correct answer: A) Article 352
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Review emergency provisions.
Step 2: Article 352 deals with National Emergency; Article 356 with State Emergency (President's Rule); Article 360 with Financial Emergency.
Conclusion: Option A is correct.
Question 15CGL Pattern
President's Rule in a State is imposed under which Article of the Constitution when the constitutional machinery fails?
A) Article 352
B) Article 356
C) Article 360
D) Article 370
Correct answer: B) Article 356
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Article 356 governs the imposition of President's Rule in a state based on a report from the Governor or otherwise.
Conclusion: Option B is correct.
Question 16CGL Pattern
Under which Article of the Indian Constitution can a Financial Emergency be declared by the President?
A) Article 352
B) Article 356
C) Article 360
D) Article 365
Correct answer: C) Article 360
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Financial Emergency is outlined under Article 360.
Step 2: It is declared when the financial stability or credit of India is threatened.
Conclusion: Option C is correct.
Question 17CGL Pattern
How many times has a Financial Emergency been declared in India since independence?
A) Once, in 1991
B) Twice
C) Three times
D) Never
Correct answer: D) Never
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: India faced a severe balance of payments crisis in 1991.
Step 2: However, a Financial Emergency under Article 360 has never been declared in India to date.
Conclusion: Option D is correct.
Question 18CGL Pattern
Under the provisions of the Constitution, the Union Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to which body?
A) The President of India
B) The Parliament
C) The Lok Sabha
D) The Rajya Sabha
Correct answer: C) The Lok Sabha
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Article 75(3) states that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People (Lok Sabha).
Step 2: This means the government can remain in power only as long as it enjoys the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
Conclusion: Option C is correct.
Question 19CGL Pattern
Who among the following was the only President of India to be elected unopposed (without any contest)?
A) Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
B) Dr. Zakir Husain
C) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
D) V.V. Giri
Correct answer: C) Neelam Sanjiva Reddy
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: In the 1977 presidential elections, Neelam Sanjiva Reddy was the only candidate whose nomination was found valid.
Step 2: He was declared elected unopposed as the sixth President of India.
Conclusion: Option C is correct.
Question 20CGL Pattern
Which article of the Indian Constitution states that there shall be a Council of Ministers with the Prime Minister at the head to aid and advise the President?
A) Article 74
B) Article 75
C) Article 78
D) Article 85
Correct answer: A) Article 74
Step-by-step Solution
Step 1: Article 74 deals with the Council of Ministers aiding and advising the President.
Step 2: Article 75 deals with appointments, collective responsibility, etc.
Conclusion: Option A is correct.
Strategy errors to avoid
!
Pardoning Power Differences
Always remember that only the President can pardon a death sentence (Article 72). The Governor (Article 161) can suspend, commute, or remit it, but cannot completely pardon it. This fine line is heavily tested in CGL.
!
Electoral College Exclusions
Remember that nominated MPs of Parliament and all nominated MLCs do NOT participate in the Presidential election. For the Vice-President's election, nominated MPs DO vote, but state legislators do not. Keep these distinct.