20 UPSC Prelims-style MCQs based on recent controversies (Tamil Nadu Governor case, SC’s 3-month deadline, and related constitutional issues) that could be relevant for UPSC 2026:

 20 UPSC Prelims-style MCQs based on recent controversies (Tamil Nadu Governor case, SC’s 3-month deadline, and related constitutional issues) that could be relevant for UPSC 2026:

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Section 1: Governor’s Role in Assenting to Bills

Q1. The Supreme Court’s April 2023 judgment, which imposed a 3-month deadline on Governors for deciding on bills, was related to which state’s dispute?
(a) Kerala
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) West Bengal
(d) Punjab
Answer: (b) Tamil Nadu

Q2. Under Article 200 of the Constitution, the Governor can:

1.    Withhold assent to a bill.

2.    Return a bill (except Money Bills) for reconsideration.

3.    Reserve a bill for the President’s consideration.
Select the correct answer:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (d) 1, 2, and 3

Q3. The Supreme Court ruled that Governors must decide on bills within a "reasonable time." What was the specified deadline?
(a) 1 month
(b) 3 months
(c) 6 months
(d) No deadline, but "as soon as possible"
Answer: (b) 3 months

Q4. The Centre argued that imposing a timeline on Governors amounts to:
(a) Judicial overreach
(b) An amendment to the Constitution
(c) Violation of federalism
(d) All of the above
Answer: (b) An amendment to the Constitution

Q5. Which constitutional provision does NOT specify a time limit for the Governor’s assent to bills?
(a) Article 200
(b) Article 201
(c) Article 163
(d) Both (a) and (b)
Answer: (d) Both (a) and (b)

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Section 2: Discretionary Powers & Judicial Interventions

Q6. The Supreme Court’s ruling on the Governor’s delay in bill assent was based on:
(a) Article 142 (SC’s extraordinary powers)
(b) Article 361 (Governor’s immunity)
(c) Article 356 (President’s Rule)
(d) Article 32 (Right to Constitutional Remedies)
Answer: (a) Article 142

Q7. The Solicitor-General argued that Governors are:

1.    Constitutional actors, not mere post offices.

2.    A check on hasty state legislation.

3.    Bound by the advice of the State Council of Ministers in all matters.
Select the correct statements:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Q8. Which case established that Governors cannot use discretion in bill assent beyond constitutional limits?
(a) S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994)
(b) Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker (2016)
(c) Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab (1974)
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker

Q9. The Tamil Nadu government approached the Supreme Court under:
(a) Article 131 (Inter-state dispute)
(b) Article 32 (Fundamental Rights enforcement)
(c) Article 143 (Presidential Reference)
(d) Article 226 (High Court jurisdiction)
Answer: (b) Article 32

Q10. The Centre’s argument against the SC’s 3-month deadline was that it:
(a) Violates separation of powers
(b) Undermines Governor’s constitutional role
(c) Both (a) and (b)
(d) Neither (a) nor (b)
Answer: (c) Both (a) and (b)

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Section 3: Money Bills & President’s Role

Q11. A Governor CANNOT return which type of bill for reconsideration?
(a) Ordinary Bill
(b) Money Bill
(c) Constitutional Amendment Bill
(d) Private Member’s Bill
Answer: (b) Money Bill

Q12. Under Article 201, the President can:

1.    Withhold assent to a state bill reserved by the Governor.

2.    Return a bill (except Money Bills) for reconsideration.

3.    Veto a bill indefinitely without giving reasons.
Select the correct statements:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Q13. If a state legislature repasses a bill after the President returns it, the President:
(a) Must give assent
(b) Can veto it again
(c) Can refer it to Parliament
(d) Can seek SC’s opinion
Answer: (a) Must give assent

Q14. The Governor must reserve a bill for the President if it:

1.    Derogates the powers of the High Court.

2.    Violates a Central law.

3.    Is opposed to Directive Principles of State Policy.
Select the correct statements:
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2, and 3
Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Q15. The President’s role in state bills is mentioned in:
(a) Article 200
(b) Article 201
(c) Article 202
(d) Article 163
Answer: (b) Article 201

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Section 4: Federalism & Recent Conflicts

Q16. The Tamil Nadu Governor case highlights tensions between:
(a) Legislature and Judiciary
(b) Centre and States
(c) Governor and Chief Minister
(d) All of the above
Answer: (d) All of the above

Q17. The Sarkaria Commission recommended that Governors should:
(a) Act as agents of the Centre
(b) Be impartial and avoid partisan actions
(c) Have veto power over state bills
(d) Be elected by state legislatures
Answer: (b) Be impartial and avoid partisan actions

Q18. Which constitutional principle is MOST affected by delayed gubernatorial assent?
(a) Separation of Powers
(b) Federalism
(c) Judicial Review
(d) Rule of Law
Answer: (b) Federalism

Q19. The Supreme Court’s intervention in the TN Governor case was justified under:
(a) Basic structure doctrine
(b) Doctrine of harmonious construction
(c) Doctrine of pith and substance
(d) Doctrine of colorable legislation
Answer: (a) Basic structure doctrine

Q20. The Centre’s reliance on "indirect democratic legitimacy" of Governors refers to:
(a) Governors being elected by state legislatures
(b) Governors being appointed by the President (Centre)
(c) Governors being accountable to Parliament
(d) None of the above
Answer: (b) Governors being appointed by the President (Centre)