Chief Minister Practice Questions
20 free Chief Minister practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the appointment of the Chief Minister by the Governor?
- A Article 163
- B Article 164
- C Article 165
- D Article 167
Correct answer: Article 164
Article 164 states that the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor and other ministers shall be appointed by the Governor on the advice of the Chief Minister. This Article also establishes that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the State.
To whom is the Chief Minister of a state collectively responsible?
- A The Governor
- B The State Legislative Assembly
- C The State Legislative Council
- D The President of India
Correct answer: The State Legislative Assembly
In accordance with the principles of the parliamentary system, the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the lower house of the state legislature (Vidhan Sabha). If the house passes a vote of no-confidence, the entire ministry must resign.
What is the maximum period for which a person can serve as Chief Minister without being a member of the State Legislature?
- A Three months
- B Six months
- C One year
- D There is no such restriction
Correct answer: Six months
A person who is not a member of the state legislature can be appointed as Chief Minister, but they must become a member of either house (Assembly or Council) within six months. Failure to do so results in the cessation of their ministership.
Who determines the salary and allowances of the Chief Minister of a state?
- A The Governor
- B The State Legislature
- C The Parliament
- D The President
Correct answer: The State Legislature
According to the Constitution, the salaries and allowances of Ministers (including the Chief Minister) are determined by the State Legislature from time to time by law. Until the State Legislature decides, they are as specified in the Second Schedule.
Which of the following is the 'De Facto' executive authority of the State Government?
- A The Governor
- B The Chief Justice of the High Court
- C The Chief Minister
- D The Chief Secretary
Correct answer: The Chief Minister
While the Governor is the constitutional (de jure) head of the state, the Chief Minister is the real (de facto) executive head. The Chief Minister wields the actual power of the state administration as the head of the Council of Ministers.
According to Article 167, it is the duty of the Chief Minister to furnish information to whom?
- A The Speaker of the Assembly
- B The High Court
- C The Governor
- D The President
Correct answer: The Governor
Article 167 defines the duties of the Chief Minister as a link between the Governor and the State Council of Ministers. The CM must communicate all decisions of the council and provide information on administrative affairs as requested by the Governor.
In the event of a tie in the Council of Ministers, the Chief Minister can exercise influence primarily because:
- A He has two votes
- B He presides over the meetings of the Council of Ministers
- C He can dismiss the Governor
- D He is the head of the State Judiciary
Correct answer: He presides over the meetings of the Council of Ministers
The Chief Minister presides over the meetings of the Council of Ministers and influences its decisions. Since the ministers are appointed on his advice, he occupies a position of 'primus inter pares' (first among equals) and can guide their deliberations.
The resignation or death of an incumbent Chief Minister results in:
- A The Governor taking over administration immediately
- B The senior-most minister automatically becoming the CM
- C The automatic dissolution of the Council of Ministers
- D Fresh elections within 24 hours
Correct answer: The automatic dissolution of the Council of Ministers
The Chief Minister is the head of the Council of Ministers; therefore, his resignation or death automatically dissolves the council. Conversely, the resignation or death of any other minister merely creates a vacancy that the CM may or may not fill.
Who acts as the Chairman of the State Planning Board?
- A The Governor
- B The Finance Minister of the State
- C The Chief Minister
- D The Chief Secretary
Correct answer: The Chief Minister
The Chief Minister serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the State Planning Board (now often replaced by State NITI Aayogs). This allows the CM to oversee the developmental and economic planning of the state directly.
A Chief Minister can be a member of which house of the State Legislature?
- A Only the Legislative Assembly
- B Only the Legislative Council
- C Either house of the State Legislature
- D Neither, he must be a member of Parliament
Correct answer: Either house of the State Legislature
A Chief Minister can be a member of either the Vidhan Sabha (Assembly) or the Vidhan Parishad (Council). However, he is usually a member of the lower house as it is the house to which the government is directly accountable.
Who advises the Governor on the appointment of the Advocate General of the State?
- A The Chief Justice of the High Court
- B The Chief Minister
- C The Union Home Minister
- D The Law Commission
Correct answer: The Chief Minister
The Governor appoints the Advocate General of the State, but this power is exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister. This ensures that the state's highest legal officer is in sync with the executive's policy.
The 91st Constitutional Amendment Act (2003) limited the size of the Council of Ministers, including the Chief Minister, to what percentage of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly?
- A 10%
- B 12%
- C 15%
- D 20%
Correct answer: 15%
The 91st Amendment stipulated that the total number of ministers, including the Chief Minister, in the Council of Ministers in a state shall not exceed 15 percent of the total strength of the Legislative Assembly of that state, with a minimum of 12 members.
If the Chief Minister advises the Governor to dissolve the Legislative Assembly, the Governor is generally:
- A Bound to accept the advice if the CM enjoys a majority
- B Free to reject the advice in all circumstances
- C Required to consult the President before acting
- D Required to hold a public referendum
Correct answer: Bound to accept the advice if the CM enjoys a majority
The Governor is generally bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister as long as the ministry enjoys the confidence of the Assembly. If the CM has lost his majority, the Governor can use discretion in deciding on dissolution.
Who is the principal spokesperson of the State Government?
- A The Governor
- B The Speaker of the Assembly
- C The Chief Minister
- D The Director of Public Relations
Correct answer: The Chief Minister
As the head of the government, the Chief Minister is the chief spokesperson. He announces all major government policies and decisions on the floor of the Legislative Assembly and to the public.
Which of the following bodies is the Chief Minister a member of at the National level?
- A National Development Council
- B Inter-State Council
- C Governing Council of NITI Aayog
- D All of the above
Correct answer: All of the above
The Chief Minister represents the state in various high-level national bodies, including the Inter-State Council and the Governing Council of NITI Aayog. He was also a member of the National Development Council, which has been largely superseded by NITI Aayog.
Which Article provides that the Governor shall be aided and advised by the Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head?
- A Article 74
- B Article 160
- C Article 163
- D Article 166
Correct answer: Article 163
Article 163 provides for a Council of Ministers with the Chief Minister at the head to aid and advise the Governor in the exercise of his functions, except in cases where the Governor is required to act in his discretion.
How can a Chief Minister be removed from office before his 5-year term expires?
- A By dismissal by the President
- B By passing a No-Confidence Motion in the Legislative Assembly
- C By a majority vote in the Rajya Sabha
- D By an order from the Chief Justice of India
Correct answer: By passing a No-Confidence Motion in the Legislative Assembly
The Chief Minister remains in power as long as he enjoys the confidence of the Legislative Assembly. If a No-Confidence Motion is passed by a majority of the members of the Assembly, the CM and his ministry are constitutionally obligated to resign.
What happens if there is a difference of opinion between the Chief Minister and another Minister?
- A The Governor decides who is right
- B The Minister's opinion prevails as he is independent
- C The Chief Minister can ask the Minister to resign or advise the Governor to dismiss him
- D The matter is referred to the Supreme Court
Correct answer: The Chief Minister can ask the Minister to resign or advise the Governor to dismiss him
The Chief Minister has the authority to ensure the collective responsibility of the cabinet. If a minister disagrees with the CM's policy or decisions, the CM can demand his resignation or advise the Governor to remove the minister from the cabinet.
Is there a fixed tenure for the Chief Minister in the Constitution?
- A Yes, 5 years
- B Yes, 6 years
- C No, he holds office during the pleasure of the Governor
- D No, he holds office during the pleasure of the Speaker
Correct answer: No, he holds office during the pleasure of the Governor
Constitutionally, the Chief Minister holds office 'during the pleasure of the Governor.' However, the Governor cannot dismiss him as long as he maintains a majority in the Legislative Assembly, effectively making his tenure dependent on legislative support.
Which Chief Minister has the power to recommend the appointment of the Chairman of the State Public Service Commission?
- A Any Chief Minister of a state
- B Only those from states with a bicameral legislature
- C Only those from the original 14 states
- D No Chief Minister has this power
Correct answer: Any Chief Minister of a state
The Chairman and members of the State Public Service Commission are appointed by the Governor. However, this appointment is made based on the advice of the state's Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister.