Describe the powers of the Governor of a state. Is the Governor only a nominal head?
How to lay out the answer. Follow the frame, then write it in your own words.
1 · Open in one line. The Governor, appointed by the President for five years, is the head in whom a state's executive power is vested.
2 · Executive powers. Appoints the Chief Minister, the other ministers on the Chief Minister's advice, the Advocate General and the State Public Service Commission.
3 · Legislative powers. Summons and prorogues the legislature, dissolves the Assembly, nominates one-sixth of the Council and gives assent to bills.
4 · Financial powers. The budget is presented on the Governor's behalf; Money Bills need his or her recommendation; controls the Contingency Fund.
5 · Discretionary powers. Chooses a Chief Minister when the Assembly is split, reserves bills for the President, and reports for President's Rule under Article 356.
6 · Position. In normal times the Governor acts on the ministers' advice, so he or she is a nominal head; in a crisis the role becomes real.
7 · Close in one line. So the Governor is a formal head who can become a real one when the state needs it.
Scoring tip: Name each kind of power as a heading, then answer the 'nominal head' part in one or two lines at the end.
