Statement 1 is correct. The governor is the chief executive head of the state. But, like the president, he is a nominal executive head (titular or constitutional head). The governor also acts as an agent of the central government. Therefore, the office of governor has a dual role.

The Supreme Court in 1979, the office of governor of a state is not an employment under the Central government. It is an independent constitutional office and is not under the control of or subordinate to the Central government. Hence, statement 2 is incorrect.

Source)  Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth; Chapter 30

All the statements are correct. Since the Chief Minister is the head of the council of ministers, his resignation or death automatically dissolves the council of ministers. The resignation or death of any other minister, on the other hand, merely creates a vacancy, which the Chief Minister may or may not like to fill.

The Chief Minister enjoys the following powers as head of the state council of ministers:

1. The governor appoints only those persons as ministers who are recommended by the Chief Minister.

2. He allocates and reshuffles the portfolios among ministers.

3. He can ask a minister to resign or advise the governor to dismiss him in case of a a difference of opinion.

4. He presides over the meetings of the council of ministers and influences its decisions.

5. He guides, directs, controls and coordinates the activities of all the ministers.

Source) Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth; Chapter 32

Statement 1 is incorrect. The governor appoints the state election commissioner and determines his conditions of service and tenure of office. However, the state election commissioner can be removed only in like manner and on the like grounds as a judge of a high court.

Statement 2 is correct. The governor can recommend the imposition of constitutional emergency in a state to the president. During the period of President’s rule in a state, the governor enjoys extensive executive powers as an agent of the President.

Statement 3 is incorrect. The governor acts as the chancellor of universities in the state. He also appoints the vice-chancellors of universities in the state.

Source) Indian polity by M. Laxmikanth; chapter 30

Every money bill, after it is passed by the state legislature (unicameral or bicameral), is presented to the governor for his assent. He has three alternatives:

1. He may give his assent to the bill, the bill then becomes an act.

2. He may withhold his assent to the bill, the bill then ends and does not become an act.

3. He may reserve the bill for the consideration of the President.

Thus, the governor cannot return a money bill for the reconsideration of the state legislature. Normally, the governor gives his assent to a money bill as it is introduced in the state legislature with his previous permission. Hence, statement 1 is incorrect.

Source) Indian polity by M. Laxmikanth; chapter 30

Statement 1 is incorrect. The term of the Chief Minister is not fixed and he holds office during the pleasure of the governor. If he loses the confidence of the assembly, he must resign or the governor can dismiss him.

Statement 2 is incorrect. A person who is not a member of the state legislature can be appointed as Chief Minister for six months, within which time, he should be elected to the state legislature, failing which he ceases to be the Chief Minister.

The Constitution does not require that a person must prove his majority in the legislative assembly before he is appointed as the Chief Minister. The governor may first appoint him as the Chief Minister and then ask him to prove his majority in the legislative assembly within a reasonable period. This is what has been done in a number of cases.

Source) Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth; Chapter 31

Article 167—Duties of Chief Minister:

It shall be the duty of the Chief Minister of each state

1. To communicate to the governor of the state all decisions of the council of ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation
2. To furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation as the governor may call for
3. If the Governor so requires, to submit for the consideration of the council of ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a minister but which has not been considered by the council.

Source) Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth; Chapter 31

Article 167—Duties of Chief Minister:

It shall be the duty of the Chief Minister of each state

1. To communicate to the governor of the state all decisions of the council of ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation
2. To furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation as the governor may call for
3. If the Governor so requires, to submit for the consideration of the council of ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a minister but which has not been considered by the council.

Source) Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth; Chapter 31

• 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 facilitated appointment of the same person as governor for two or more states.

• Statement 1 is Incorrect: Under Article 162 of the Constitution of India, the Governor of a State shall have the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remissions of punishment or to suspend, remit or commute the sentence of any person convicted of any offence against any law relating to a matter to which the executive power of the State extends. He cannot pardon a death sentence. Even if a state law prescribes for a death sentence, the power to grant pardon lies with the President and not the governor.
• Statement 2 is Correct: A governor is an integral part of the state legislature. In that capacity, he enjoys vast and formidable legislative powers and functions. According to Article 200, when a Bill, passed by the Legislature of a State, is presented to the Governor, he has four options He assents to the Bill -He assents to the Bill 

       -He withholds assent 

       -He reserves the Bill for the consideration of the President 

       -He returns the Bill to the Legislature for reconsideration.

When the governor reserves a bill for the consideration of the President, he will not have any further role in the enactment of the bill. If the bill is returned by the President for the reconsideration of the House or Houses and is passed again, the bill must be presented again for the presidential assent only. If the President gives his assent to the bill, it becomes an act. This means that the assent of the Governor is no longer required.

• Option B is the Correct Answer: The following provisions of the Constitution deal with the relationship between the governor and the Chief Minister:

1. Article 163: There shall be a council of ministers with the Chief Minister as the head to aid and advise the governor on the exercise of his functions, except in so far as he is required to exercise his functions or any of them in his discretion.

2. Article 164:

(a) 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;

(b) The ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the governor; and

(c) The council of ministers shall be collectively responsible to the legislative assembly of the state.

3. Article 167: It shall be the duty of the Chief Minister:

(a) to communicate to the governor of the state all decisions of the council of ministers relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation;

(b) to furnish such information relating to the administration of the affairs of the state and proposals for legislation as the governor may call for; and

(c) if the Governor so requires, to submit for the consideration of the council of ministers any matter on which a decision has been taken by a minister but which has not been considered by the council.

• Option C is the Correct Answer: 

Explanation: 91st amendment act

1. The total number of ministers including the Prime minister in the central council of ministers shall not exceed 15% of the total strength of the Lok sabha/State legislative assembly. (Article 75,164). However in states the number of ministers shall not be less than 12.
2. A member disqualified under defection is also disqualified for being a minister in the house.
3. The member disqualified on the grounds of defection shall also be disqualified for any remunerative political post, office wholly or partially under the government .
4. The provision regarding one third was also deleted by this amendment.