RAS question
Which provision of the Constitution enables the Governor to act as a link between the Centre and the State?
Correct answer: (B) Article 155 (appointment by President) and Article 156 (pleasure of President).
Articles 155 and 156 make the Governor a Centre-State link by providing that the Governor is appointed by the President and holds office during the President's pleasure.
Explanation
The Governor's link role comes chiefly from Articles 155 and 156. Article 155 says the Governor of a State is appointed by the President, while Article 156 says the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President. Together, these provisions connect the State's constitutional head to the Union executive. Article 200 also allows a Governor to reserve a State Bill for the President's consideration; that reinforces the same Centre-State channel in the legislative field. So the best answer is not a single functional power in isolation, but the appointment-and-tenure structure in Articles 155 and 156.
Why the other options are wrong
- (A) Article 164 deals with appointment of the Chief Minister and other Ministers and their tenure under the Governor, so it concerns the State ministry rather than the Governor's Centre-linked appointment and tenure.
- (C) Article 213 gives the Governor ordinance-making power during a legislative recess, which is a legislative power and not the core constitutional basis for the Governor's Centre-State link.
- (D) Article 200 can connect a State Bill to the President by reservation, but by itself it does not cover the Governor's appointment by the President or tenure during the President's pleasure.
Concept
This tests the constitutional position of the Governor in Indian federalism. RAS repeatedly asks it because Governor-related provisions sit at the intersection of State executive power, Union control and Centre-State relations.