What is the common examiner trap about Polity in UPSC exams?

They may ask about the 'first preference' in the Sarkaria sequence (pre-poll alliance) versus the common misconception that the 'single largest party' is always invited first. They might also confuse the recommendations of the Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Polity for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: 234 (Tamil Nadu Assembly strength) and 118 (majority mark). 2. Target this Nodal Body: The Office of the Governor (Constitutional Head of State). 3. Target this Legal Point: SR Bommai vs Union of India (1994) - 9-judge bench judgment on floor test.

PolityGovernance

Take AI Challenge ▸

News 27 of 29

Governor's Role in Hung Assembly: Sarkaria & Punchhi Commission Guidelines, SR Bommai Judgment & Floor Test Mandate

Q: As per the Indian Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to which body?

The Legislative Assembly, Article 164(2) of the Constitution states that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly of the State. This principle of collective responsibility to the lower house is a cornerstone of the parliamentary system.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the Sarkaria Commission's recommendations for government formation in a hung assembly: 1. The first preference must go to a pre-poll alliance that commands a majority. 2. The second preference is for the single largest party, provided it can demonstrate a credible claim to majority support. 3. The Governor's personal satisfaction in assessing majority support can override the need for an immediate floor test. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 2, Statements 1 and 2 are correct as per the Sarkaria Commission guidelines detailed in the article. Statement 3 is incorrect. The Supreme Court in SR Bommai held that the Governor's subjective satisfaction cannot replace the objective test of majority on the floor of the House.

Q: In the hung assembly scenario discussed, what was the majority mark for the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly?

118, The article explicitly states that the majority mark in the 234-member Assembly is 118 seats. TVK had 108 seats, and with Congress's 5 seats, their claim stood at 113, which was short of the majority mark.

Q: What is the primary constitutional risk highlighted in the article when a Governor delays inviting a claimant to form government in a hung assembly?

It creates space for horse-trading and undermines the democratic process., The article argues that delay 'manufactures the very instability it claims to prevent' by shifting incentives and creating opportunities for inducements and tactical realignments outside the assembly, as seen in the Karnataka (2018) and Bihar (2005) precedents cited. This undermines the democratic forum of the House.

PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIMPSCSSC GAPrelims MediumMains HighStatic GK Link

08 May 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:234 seats118 majority mark108 TVK seats5 Congress seats

Bodies:Supreme CourtSarkaria CommissionPunchhi CommissionOffice of the Governor

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.The article analyzes a constitutional crisis in Tamil Nadu where the Governor is reportedly delaying inviting the single-largest party (TVK with 108 seats + Congress support) to form government.

2.It details the Sarkaria and Punchhi Commission guidelines for Governors in hung assemblies, which prioritize inviting pre-poll alliances or the single largest party with credible support.

3.The core legal principle from SR Bommai judgment is reiterated: the floor of the House is the only legitimate forum to test majority, not the Governor's private assessment.

The Big Picture

Prelims · MediumMains · High

This article critiques a Governor's alleged delay in inviting the single-largest party to form government in a hung assembly, stressing that such discretion is limited. It is crucial for exam aspirants as it revisits the constitutional conventions for government formation, landmark Supreme Court judgments, and the primacy of the assembly floor test over the Governor's subjective satisfaction.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Tamil Nadu Assembly Strength234 seats

Majority Mark118 seats

TVK Seats (Single Largest Party)108 seats

Congress Support (Declared)5 seats

Landmark SC CaseS R Bommai v Union of India (1994)

1-Minute Revision

›Tamil Nadu Assembly Strength: 234 seats
›Majority Mark: 118 seats
›Target this Data: 234 (Tamil Nadu Assembly strength) and 118 (majority mark).
›Target this Nodal Body: The Office of the Governor (Constitutional Head of State).
›Target this Legal Point: SR Bommai vs Union of India (1994) - 9-judge bench judgment on floor test.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

⚖️

Constitutional Conventions

The Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions provide a clear hierarchy for Governors to follow when inviting a claimant in a hung assembly, with the single largest party being a key preference.

🏛️

Primacy of Floor Test

The Supreme Court in SR Bommai held that the only way to test majority is on the floor of the House, making the Governor's subjective satisfaction secondary.

⏳

Delay Breeds Instability

Delaying government formation, as seen in Karnataka (2018) and Bihar (2005), creates space for horse-trading and undermines democratic legitimacy.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The article discusses a hypothetical 2026 hung assembly scenario in Tamil Nadu to illustrate a recurring constitutional issue: the extent of a Governor's discretion when no party has a clear majority. It anchors the debate in the foundational Westminster model adopted by India, where the government is responsible to the legislature, not the Governor.

Core Analysis & Implications

The analysis centers on two key principles. First, the Governor's role is to identify the most credible claimant to form government, not to pre-judge the majority. The Sarkaria Commission's sequence (pre-poll alliance > single largest party > post-poll coalition) provides objective criteria for this. Second, the Supreme Court's doctrine from SR Bommai and Rameshwar Prasad cases establishes that any doubt about majority must be resolved via a floor test. A Governor's delay or insistence on proof before invitation subverts this process and can lead to political instability and horse-trading, as historical precedents show.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The article argues for strict adherence to established constitutional conventions and judicial precedents to prevent Raj Bhavan from becoming an arena for political maneuvering. It suggests that the solution lies not in expanding gubernatorial discretion but in promptly convening the assembly, thereby upholding the democratic principle that the legislature is the supreme arbiter of a government's fate.

Key Facts at a Glance

Tamil Nadu Assembly Strength234 seats

Majority Mark118 seats

TVK Seats (Single Largest Party)108 seats

Congress Support (Declared)5 seats

Landmark SC CaseS R Bommai v Union of India (1994)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

As per the Indian Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to which body?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding the Sarkaria Commission's recommendations for government formation in a hung assembly:

1. The first preference must go to a pre-poll alliance that commands a majority.

2. The second preference is for the single largest party, provided it can demonstrate a credible claim to majority support.

3. The Governor's personal satisfaction in assessing majority support can override the need for an immediate floor test.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

In the hung assembly scenario discussed, what was the majority mark for the 234-member Tamil Nadu Assembly?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, State PSC

What is the primary constitutional risk highlighted in the article when a Governor delays inviting a claimant to form government in a hung assembly?

All 15 MCQs ▸

Read original article from Indian Express

You finished this topic

Practice 3 MCQs from this news Next Article

Explore Related Topics

PolityView Topic MCQs →

PreviousUS to Restart 'Project Freedom' in Strait of Hormuz After Saudi Arabia, Kuwait Grant Airbase Access Next Allahabad High Court Sets ₹15,000 Maintenance Aside, Rules Husband's Status Decides Alimony Under Section 125 CrPC

Related Current Affairs

Polity Current Affairs

Tamil Nadu Issues Advance Medical Directives Guidelines 2026 for Passive Euthanasia

Tamil Nadu has issued the Tamil Nadu Advance Medical Directive Guidelines, 2026 to operationalise passive euthanasia and strengthen patient autonomy at the end of life. The guidelines follow Supreme Court directions in Common Cause and Harish Rana vs Union of India, requiring States to establish medical boards and custodians for Advance Medical Directives. This is a landmark state-level health governance step with direct UPSC and State PSC relevance.

Polity Current Affairs

SC's March 11 Creamy Layer Judgment: Centre Seeks Clarification for 100 OBC CSE-2025 Candidates

Centre has approached SC seeking clarification on its March 11 judgment that ruled income cannot be the sole criterion for creamy layer among OBCs. The plea concerns 100 candidates selected in CSE since 2016 but rejected due to creamy layer criteria. The government warns retrospective application could disrupt CSE-2025 training and allocation.

Polity Current Affairs

J&K Assembly Passes Resolution for Statehood Restoration; Omar Abdullah Questions Centre’s Delay Citing SC Order

The J&K Assembly passed a resolution seeking restoration of full statehood, moved by CM Omar Abdullah on September 25, 2026. Omar questioned the Centre's delay, referencing a Supreme Court direction to restore statehood 'at the earliest' after UT elections. The BJP walked out, calling the resolution controversial, and also moved a motion to remove the Speaker. This news highlights the ongoing tension between UT governance and the demand for statehood in Jammu and Kashmir.

Polity Current Affairs

SC Orders Sealing of 16,726 Illegal Structures in Meerut, Forms Judicial Commission Led by Justice Dhulia

The Supreme Court has taken a stern stance against illegal constructions in Meerut, ordering the sealing of over 16,000 properties and demolition of unauthorised structures. A judicial commission headed by former SC judge Justice Sudhanshu Dhulia will investigate the role of the Meerut Development Authority and possible collusion. This case highlights the court's proactive role in urban governance and personal accountability of officials for loss of life.

Polity Current Affairs

Lok Sabha Passes Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026 to Establish National Tribunals Commission for Appointments

The Lok Sabha has passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, to establish a National Tribunals Commission (NTC) for appointing chairpersons and members of tribunals. This follows the Supreme Court's directive to ensure independence and transparency. The Bill replaces the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021.

Polity Current Affairs

Lok Sabha Passes Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026 to Establish National Tribunals Commission for Selection of Members

Lok Sabha has passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, which seeks to establish a National Tribunals Commission to select chairpersons and members of key tribunals. This move follows the Supreme Court striking down parts of the earlier 2021 Act, aiming to strengthen tribunals as specialized complementary institutions to the judiciary.

Polity Current Affairs

Parliament Passes Tribunals Reforms Bill 2026: National Tribunals Commission, 5-Year Tenure After SC Directive

Parliament has passed the Tribunals Reforms Bill, 2026, establishing a National Tribunals Commission and fixing tribunal members' tenure at five years. The law follows the Supreme Court's November 2025 judgment that struck down the 2021 Act, in a long-running tussle over tribunal independence and executive control.

Polity Current Affairs

Election Commission's SIR Deletes 13.37 Crore Names from Draft Rolls; Delhi Deletion Rate Highest at 32.8%

The Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls has resulted in deletion of over 13 crore names across 30 states/UTs, with Delhi recording the highest deletion rate of 32.8%. This is the first intensive revision in two decades, and the Supreme Court has upheld the SIR order. For UPSC aspirants, this is critical for understanding electoral reforms, the role of the Election Commission, and the legal framework of voter registration.

Start Today's Quiz(15 Qs)

Take Today's Quiz

15 Qs • 5-7 Mins

Governor's Role in Hung Assembly: Sarkaria & Punchhi Commission Guidelines, SR Bommai Judgment & Floor Test Mandate

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Constitutional Conventions

Primacy of Floor Test

Delay Breeds Instability

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance