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Role of Lieutenant Governor in Union Territories with Legislature

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

It's crucial for understanding the unique administrative and political dynamics of Union Territories, the balance of power between the Centre and local elected bodies, and the challenges to democratic governance in such setups.

In Union Territories with a legislature (like Puducherry, Delhi, and now Jammu & Kashmir), the Lieutenant Governor (LG) acts as the representative of the President of India and the central government. Unlike a Governor in a state, the LG often holds more significant executive powers and can, in certain matters, act independently of the elected Council of Ministers, leading to potential friction and debates over the extent of democratic autonomy.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Constitutional Position

Representative of the President/Centre.

Executive Powers

Can exercise significant powers, sometimes independently of the elected government.

Areas of Conflict

Often seen in matters of law and order, land, and public services.

Examples

Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaIndian Polity & Governance

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Lieutenant GovernorAdministers
Ministry of Home AffairsOversees uts
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding

Quick revision

  • LG is Centre's representative in UTs with legislature.
  • Holds more executive power than state Governors.
  • Potential for conflict with elected government.
  • Key areas of friction: law & order, land.
  • J&K, Delhi, Puducherry are examples.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — Distinguish between the constitutional provisions governing LGs and any specific statutory powers granted by acts like the J&K Reorganisation Act.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2025Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own disc...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own disc...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Indian PolityOpen question

Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own disc...

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements: 1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place...

Indian PolityOpen question
2019Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense pol...

Indian PolityOpen question
2018Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

If the President of India exercises his power as provided under Article 356 of the Constitution in respect of a particular State, then -

Indian PolityOpen question
2016Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -

Indian PolityOpen question
2015Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to the cabinet mission, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It recommended a federal government. 2. It enlarged the powers of...

Modern HistoryOpen question

Topic timeline

Indian Polity & Governance
Prelims 2015· Statement-based questions, Multi-statement analysis

With reference to the cabinet mission, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It recommended a federal government. 2. It enlarged the powers of...

Open question
Prelims 2016· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -

Open question
Prelims 2018· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

If the President of India exercises his power as provided under Article 356 of the Constitution in respect of a particular State, then -

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions

Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense pol...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements: 1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Open question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own disc...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Open question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own disc...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Statement-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

Open question

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Open question

Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own disc...

Open question

The need for political unity in Kashmir

01 Sep 2026 · The Lieutenant Governor in Union Territories with a legislature holds a dual role as the Centre's representative and head of the administration, often leading to power struggles with the elected government over executive authority, particularly in sensitive areas like law and order.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Role of Lieutenant Governor in Union Territories with Legislature

Often confused with

Federalism and Regional Autonomy in India

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Role of Lieutenant Governor in Union Territories with Legislature in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Role of Lieutenant Governor in Union Territories with Legislature

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following subjects under the Constitution of India: I. List I–Union List, in the Seventh Schedule II. Extent of the executive power of a State ...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements: 1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

If the President of India exercises his power as provided under Article 356 of the Constitution in respect of a particular State, then -

2018·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own disc...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -

2016·Indian Polity
Solve

Which one of the following suggested that the Governor should be an eminent person from outside the State and should be a detached figure without intense pol...

2019·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to the cabinet mission, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It recommended a federal government. 2. It enlarged the powers of...

2015·Modern History
Solve

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