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Topic

Discretionary Powers

Asked 2 times across 2 UPSC exams over 6 years (2014–2020), peaking in 2014.
2
PYQs
2
Exams
2
Years active
2014–2020
Span
2014
Peak
2/2
Answers
📅 Full chronological timeline →

Key insights

  • Most tested in CSE — 1 of 2 PYQs
  • Most asked in 2014
  • Recurs across 2 years (2014–2020)

How it travelled across exams

First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CSE 2014 CAPF 2020

How the concept evolved

114
120
Long-running — most appearances (1 of 2) predate 2016, and it still returns.

Sample questions

You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CAPF2020

The Governor of a state may exercise discretionary powers when

  1. he or she is not convinced by the advice of the Council of Ministers
  2. the Constitution requires him/her to act in his/her discretion in certain matters
  3. he or she is appointed as the administrator of an adjoining Union Territory

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A 1, 2 and 3 ✓
  2. B 1 and 2 only
  3. C 2 and 3 only
  4. D 3 only
✓ Correct answer: (A)
Polity & Governance › Union & State Executive
CSE2014

Which of the following are the discretionary powers given to the Governor of a State?

  1. Sending a report to the President of India for imposing the President's rule
  2. Appointing the Ministers
  3. Reserving certain bills passed by the State Legislature for consideration of the President of India
  4. Making the rules to conduct the business of the State Government

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. A 1 and 2 only
  2. B 1, 3 and 4 only ✓
  3. C 2, 3 and 4 only
  4. D 1, 2, 3 and 4
✓ Correct answer: (B)
Polity & Governance › Union & State Executive

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