Chapter 3: How the State Government Works
राज्य शासन कैसे काम करता है (विधायक/एमएलए, बहुमत, सत्तारूढ़ व विपक्ष, राज्यपाल की भूमिका एवं प्रेस वार्ता)
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- Constituency & MLA (विधायक): Every state in India is demarcated into specific territorial areas called CONSTITUENCIES (निर्वाचन क्षेत्र). From each constituency, the adult electorate elects one representative: MLA (Member of Legislative Assembly). MLAs belong to different political parties.
- Majority & Government Formation:
- - Majority Party (बहुमत दल): A political party whose elected MLAs win MORE THAN HALF the total number of constituencies in a state.
- - Ruling Party (सत्तारूढ़ दल): The majority party forms the government.
- - Opposition (विपक्ष): All other elected MLAs who do not belong to the ruling coalition form the opposition, scrutinizing government policy.
- - Coalition Government (गठबंधन सरकार): Formed when no single party secures a clear majority, and multiple parties come together to form the ministry.
- Executive Hierarchy:
- - Governor (राज्यपाल): The constitutional Head of the State, appointed by the Central Government to ensure state governance aligns with the Constitution.
- - Chief Minister (मुख्यमंत्री): The leader elected by MLAs of the majority party, officially appointed by the Governor.
- - Council of Ministers: Selected by the Chief Minister and appointed by the Governor; in charge of portfolios (Health, Education, Agriculture).
- Accountability in Democracy: Legislative Assembly debates where MLAs question ministers; Press Conferences where journalists question government decisions; Departmental inquiries and executive implementation.
- Trap: Who appoints the Chief Minister of a State? Correct: THE GOVERNOR (राज्यपाल) appoints the leader of the majority party.
- Trap: What constitutes a political 'Majority' in a state assembly? Correct: Winning MORE THAN 50% of the total assembly seats.
- Trap: Do Opposition MLAs also represent citizens? Correct: YES. Every MLA represents the citizens of their respective constituency, regardless of whether they are in government or opposition.
NCERT Core Facts: State Legislative Process & Separation of Powers
Electoral constituencies, MLA duties, and executive accountability in CTET Paper 2:
1. The Structure of State Governance
[ Registered Voters (Adult Citizens) ]
│ (Direct Election)
▼
[ Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha) ]
├── Majority Party (> 50% seats) ──> Forms Government
└── Opposition Parties ──> Holds Government Accountable
│
▼
[ Chief Minister & Cabinet Ministers ]
* Appointed by the GOVERNOR (Constitutional Head)
* Executive heads responsible for state ministries2. Dual Role of an MLA
- 1.As a Constituency Representative: Brings local public grievances (drinking water, roads, clinics, schools) to the state assembly floor.
- 2.As a Cabinet Minister (if selected): Oversees state-wide administrative departments (e.g. Health Ministry) and answers questions raised during assembly debates.
Test Your Mastery: How the State Government Works
Authentic CBSE exam questions tested directly from this NCERT chapter.
In a state legislative assembly having a total of 68 constituency seats, what is the MINIMUM number of elected MLAs required for a political party to claim a simple majority and form the government?
कुल 68 विधानसभा सीटों वाले एक राज्य में, किसी राजनीतिक दल को साधारण बहुमत का दावा करने और सरकार बनाने के लिए न्यूनतम कितने निर्वाचित विधायकों की आवश्यकता होगी?
Who among the following appoints the Chief Minister and other cabinet ministers in an Indian state?
भारत के किसी राज्य में मुख्यमंत्री और अन्य कैबिनेट मंत्रियों की नियुक्ति निम्नलिखित में से कौन करता है?
How does a political party achieve a 'majority' to form the government in a state assembly?
By having its candidate MLAs win more than half (greater than 50%) of the total assembly constituencies in that state.
What is the primary constitutional duty of the Governor of a state?
The Governor is the constitutional head appointed by the President of India to ensure that the state administration functions within the rules and regulations of the Constitution.