State Administrative Services (RAS)

Governor of Rajasthan: Powers and Functions

The Governor of Rajasthan is the constitutional head of the state and acts as the representative of the President of India. The office of the Governor is established under Article 153 of the Indian Constitution. The Governor is appointed by the President for a term of five years but holds office at the pleasure of the President. The Governor's powers and functions can be broadly categorized into executive, legislative, judicial, and discretionary powers. The Governor appoints the Chief Minister and, on the advice of the Chief Minister, appoints other ministers. The Governor also appoints the Advocate General, State Election Commissioner, and members of the State Public Service Commission. The Governor summons and prorogues the sessions of the State Legislature and can dissolve the Legislative Assembly. In legislative matters, the Governor addresses the first session of the Legislative Assembly after each general election and at the commencement of the first session each year. The Governor's assent is required for bills passed by the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly to become law. The Governor can reserve certain bills for the consideration of the President. The Governor also has the power to promulgate ordinances when the Legislative Assembly is not in session. In judicial matters, the Governor has the power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites, or remissions of punishment in certain cases. The discretionary powers of the Governor come into play when there is no clear majority in the Assembly, or in cases of constitutional breakdown in the state. The Governor also plays a key role during President's Rule (Article 356). ⭐ परीक्षा महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य: • Article 153 provides for a Governor in every state. • The first Governor of Rajasthan was Maharaj Man Singh II (1949-1951). • The Governor's residence is Raj Bhavan, Jaipur. • The Governor can reserve bills for the President's consideration. • Remember the current Governor's name and year of appointment. • Questions often ask about the Governor's discretionary powers and ordinance-making power.

• Appointed under Article 155 of the Constitution by the President of India.
• Holds office for a term of 5 years but can be removed earlier by the President.
• Current Governor (as of 2024): Kalraj Mishra (since 9 September 2019).
• Can summon, prorogue, and dissolve the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.
• Has the power to promulgate ordinances under Article 213.
• 📌 Governor: Constitutional head of the state, representative of the President.
• 📌 Ordinance: A law promulgated by the Governor when the legislature is not in session.
• 📌 President's Rule: Rule imposed under Article 356 in case of constitutional breakdown.

Rajasthan Legislative Assembly: Structure and Functions

The Rajasthan Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) is the unicameral legislative body of the state. It consists of directly elected representatives from single-member constituencies. The Assembly's primary functions include making laws, controlling finances, and scrutinizing the work of the government. The strength of the Assembly is determined by the Delimitation Commission, and as of 2024, it has 200 members. The Assembly is presided over by the Speaker, who is elected by the members. The Assembly's term is five years unless dissolved sooner. Legislative powers include passing bills, approving the budget, and discussing matters of public importance. The Assembly also has the power to remove the Council of Ministers through a vote of no confidence. The Assembly meets at the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly building in Jaipur. The Assembly also plays a key role in amending the Constitution as per Article 368, when required. Special sessions can be convened by the Governor. The Assembly has several committees, such as the Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates Committee, to ensure efficient functioning. ⭐ परीक्षा महत्वपूर्ण तथ्य: • The Assembly's strength is fixed at 200 since the 2008 delimitation. • Women reservation in Assembly: No direct reservation, but seats are reserved for SC and ST. • The Assembly has the power to impeach the Governor for constitutional violations. • Remember the current strength and the first Assembly's year (1952). • Questions often focus on the powers of the Speaker and the process of passing a bill.

• Rajasthan Legislative Assembly is unicameral with 200 members.
• The first Assembly was constituted in 1952 with 160 members.
• Current Speaker (as of 2024): Dr. C.P. Joshi.
• The Assembly's term is 5 years unless dissolved earlier.
• Meets at the Vidhan Sabha Bhawan, Jaipur.
• 📌 Vidhan Sabha: Legislative Assembly of the state.
• 📌 Speaker: Presiding officer of the Assembly.
• 📌 No-confidence motion: A motion moved to remove the Council of Ministers.