GK Question

polity hard mcq

In SR Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court held that Governor's report recommending President's Rule must be based on floor test results where possible. What is the primary rationale for this requirement?

  1. To expedite dismissal of State governments
  2. To ensure democratic verification of loss of majority through elected representatives
  3. To enhance Governor's discretionary powers
  4. To reduce judicial review scope

Answer: To ensure democratic verification of loss of majority through elected representatives

Floor test rationale under SR Bommai: (a) Context: Challenge to President's Rule imposition without floor test in multiple States, (b) Supreme Court holding: (i) Floor test primary method to verify whether Ministry enjoys majority support in Assembly, (ii) Governor cannot dismiss Ministry based on subjective assessment, media reports, political considerations without floor test, (iii) Floor test ensures democratic verification: Elected representatives, not appointed Governor, decide government fate, (c) Rationale: (i) Democratic legitimacy: Elected Assembly represents people's will; floor test ensures Ministry reflects Assembly majority, (ii) Constitutional morality: Governor as constitutional functionary, not political agent, (iii) Judicial oversight: Courts ensure Article 356 used for genuine constitutional breakdown, not political ends, (d) Applications: (i) Post-1994: Courts more willing to strike down Article 356 proclamations without floor test, (ii) Federal balance: Protects State autonomy against arbitrary Centre overreach via gubernatorial discretion, (e) Illustrates constitutional federalism: Floor test as democratic standard ensures State governments reflect Assembly majority; judicial review protects State autonomy against arbitrary Centre overreach.

Topic Article 356 - Governor's Report and Floor Test
Exam Relevance Floor test rationale critical for UPSC Mains and Judiciary exams
More in polity Back to all questions