UPSC Prelims 2016·GS1·polity-and-governance·governance

Consider the following statements: 1. The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State. 2. The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Dalvoy logo
Reviewed by Dalvoy
UPSC Civil Services preparation
Last updated 23 May 2026, 3:31 pm IST
  1. A1 only
  2. B2 only
  3. CBoth 1 and 2
  4. DNeither 1 nor 2Correct

Explanation

Let's analyze the statements regarding the Chief Secretary in a State: The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State: This statement is incorrect. The Chief Secretary is the administrative head of the state secretariat and the chief advisor to the Chief Minister. The Chief Secretary is appointed by the Chief Minister of the State, not the Governor. While the appointment is formally made in the name of the Governor, the actual decision and selection rest with the Chief Minister. The Chief Secretary in a State has a fixed tenure: This statement is incorrect. The post of Chief Secretary does not have a fixed tenure. The Chief Secretary serves at the pleasure of the Chief Minister and the state government. They can be transferred or removed by the Chief Minister at any time. Their term is usually co-terminus with the Chief Minister's tenure or decided based on the Chief Minister's discretion, although there is a general understanding of a suitable period for continuity. Therefore, neither statement 1 nor statement 2 is correct.
polity-and-governance: Consider the following statements: 1. The Chief Secretary in a State is appointed by the Governor of that State. 2. The
ShareWhatsAppXTelegram

Related questions

More UPSC Prelims practice from the same subject and topic.