RAS question
Who was the first Governor of Rajasthan after it became a full state?
Correct answer: (A) Sardar Gurmukh Nihal Singh.
Sardar Gurmukh Nihal Singh was the first Governor of Rajasthan after the Rajpramukh system ended and Rajasthan became a full state.
Explanation
Sardar Gurmukh Nihal Singh was appointed as Rajasthan's first Governor when the old Rajpramukh arrangement gave way to the constitutional office of Governor. The Lok Bhavan, Rajasthan account of the state's formation says that, on the recommendations of the States Reorganisation Commission, the institution of Rajpramukh was abolished with effect from 1 November 1956, and Shri Gurumukh Nihal Singh had been appointed the first Governor of Rajasthan on 25 October 1956. This fits the exam point: after Rajasthan completed its integration into the present state form, the relevant office was Governor, not Rajpramukh.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) Sampurnanand cannot be the first Governor because he was only a later Governor, after Sardar Gurmukh Nihal Singh.
- (C) Maharaja Man Singh II held the Rajpramukh office, whereas the question asks for the first Governor after that system was abolished.
- (D) Sardar Hukam Singh is ruled out because he was among later Governors, not the first post-reorganisation Governor.
Concept
This tests Rajasthan's post-Independence integration and constitutional reorganisation, especially the shift from princely-state institutions to normal state offices. RAS repeats this because office-holders and dates from Rajasthan's formation are standard factual anchors in state history.