State Government — Rajasthan
Rajasthan's state government is based on the parliamentary system, in which the Governor is the constitutional head and the Chief Minister the real executive head. REET regularly asks questions on the structure of the Rajasthan Assembly and the division of Union-State legislative powers.
- 1 question in REET 2024
- Class 6–8 level
- 11 min read
How REET asks this topic
REET 2024 asked which subject the state legislature cannot make laws on — the options given were agriculture, ports, land and public health, and the correct answer was 'ports' (major ports), because it is a Union List subject. This shows that alongside the structure of the state assembly, this topic also asks which subjects fall within the state's jurisdiction and which do not.
Rajasthan Assembly — the basic facts
- Form of the legislature
- Unicameral — only the Legislative Assembly, no Legislative Council
- Total number of members
- 200
- Seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC)
- 34
- Seats reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST)
- 25
- Term
- 5 years (can be dissolved before its term)
- Appointment of the Governor
- By the President
- Appointment of the Chief Minister
- By the Governor — the leader of the party with a majority in the Assembly
The Governor, Chief Minister and Council of Ministers
The Governor is the constitutional (nominal) head of the state, appointed by the President. Generally, the Governor acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers; the real power of governance lies with the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers.
The Governor appoints the Chief Minister as the leader of the party/coalition with a majority in the Assembly, and the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Assembly (the representatives of the state's people) — this is the basis of responsible (accountable) government, just as with the President-Prime Minister relationship at the Centre.
Key State List subjects (on which the state Assembly can make laws)
| Category | Example subjects |
|---|---|
| Agriculture and land | Agriculture, land revenue, land reforms |
| Public order | Police, prisons (jails), public order |
| Health and local government | Public health and sanitation, local self-government (panchayat/municipality) |
| Others | Irrigation, fisheries, markets and fairs, state taxes |
National-importance subjects such as ports (major ports), defence, currency and railways lie in the Union List — the state Assembly cannot make laws on these.
Other key constitutional institutions of Rajasthan
- Rajasthan High Court
- Established on 29 August 1949; its principal seat is at Jodhpur, with a bench at Jaipur (since 1977)
- Rajasthan Public Service Commission (RPSC)
- The constitutional body (Article 315) that conducts recruitment examinations for government services in the state
- State Election Commission
- Conducts elections for Panchayati Raj and urban local body institutions
The relationship between state government and local self-government
The State List includes the subject of 'local self-government', so it is the Rajasthan Assembly that makes laws related to Panchayati Raj institutions (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad) and urban local bodies (Municipality, Municipal Council, Municipal Corporation). Elections to these local bodies are conducted by the State Election Commission, an independent constitutional body separate from the central Election Commission.
The Rajasthan High Court is the highest judicial institution of the state, with its principal seat at Jodhpur and a bench at Jaipur. It can review the constitutionality of any law or executive decision of the state government, which keeps the powers of the state government confined within the bounds of the Constitution.
Rajasthan and three-tier Panchayati Raj — a historical fact
- Launch of Panchayati Raj
- 2 October 1959, from Nagaur (Rajasthan), by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru
- Significance
- Rajasthan became the first state in India to adopt three-tier Panchayati Raj (Gram Panchayat–Panchayat Samiti–Zila Parishad)
- Present-day basis
- After the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, 1992, this three-tier structure became constitutionally mandatory across the country
How a bill is passed in the state Assembly
Since Rajasthan is unicameral, a bill here needs to be passed by only one House (the Assembly) — unlike Parliament, there is no need to send it to a second House. After a bill is introduced in the Assembly, it goes through general discussion, committee-level scrutiny where needed, clause-by-clause consideration and a final vote; a passed bill is then sent to the Governor for assent, and once assent is given, it becomes state law.
How to teach this to children
Classroom activity
Ask children to bring a local newspaper report on a session of the Rajasthan Assembly, and then have them identify the roles of the Governor, Chief Minister and ministers in it — this builds practical knowledge of these institutions.
Teaching material
Run a simple table activity where children note which problem in their village/town (such as a school, road or water issue) falls within the state government's scope and which within the central government's — this makes the distinction between the State List and Union List clear practically.
Common misconception
Children often think the roles of the Governor and the Chief Minister are the same — clarify that the Governor is the constitutional (nominal) head, while the Chief Minister exercises real governing power.
Assessment idea
Give a list of 5-6 statements like 'does the Governor do this or the Chief Minister' and have children pick the correct person — this cements the difference between the two posts.
Memory trick / exam tip
Remember 'the Rajasthan Assembly has 200 seats, of which 34 are reserved for SC and 25 for ST' — keep this number exactly as it is. And also, to identify a State List subject, ask yourself: 'Is this subject of national scope (defence, currency, railways, ports) or local (police, agriculture, land, health)?' — national subjects go in the Union List, local subjects in the State List.
REET 2024 questions asked (with solutions)
Question 97
According to the Indian Constitution, the State legislature cannot make laws on which of the following subjects ?
- Aकृषि
- Bबन्दरगाह
- Cभूमि
- Dसार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य
Explanation
संविधान की सातवीं अनुसूची में विषयों को संघ, राज्य और समवर्ती सूची में बाँटा गया है। कृषि, भूमि और सार्वजनिक स्वास्थ्य राज्य सूची के विषय हैं, इसलिए राज्य विधायिका इन पर कानून बना सकती है। 'बन्दरगाह' (महापत्तन/major ports) संघ सूची का विषय है, जिस पर कानून संसद बनाती है; अतः सही उत्तर (B) है।
Practice questions
Question 1
How many total seats are there in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly?
- A175
- B200
- C225
- D250
Explanation
The Rajasthan Assembly has 200 seats in total, filled from the state's various constituencies.
Question 2
How many seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly?
- A25
- B33
- C34
- D40
Explanation
Of the Rajasthan Assembly's 200 seats, 34 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC).
Question 3
What type of legislature does Rajasthan have?
- Aद्विसदनीय (विधानसभा + विधान परिषद)
- Bएकसदनीय (केवल विधानसभा)
- Cत्रिसदनीय
- Dकोई विधानमंडल नहीं
Explanation
Rajasthan's legislature is unicameral, meaning there is only the Legislative Assembly here, no Legislative Council (upper house).
Question 4
Who appoints the Governor of Rajasthan?
- Aमुख्यमंत्री
- Bराष्ट्रपति
- Cप्रधानमंत्री
- Dसर्वोच्च न्यायालय
Explanation
The Governor of Rajasthan is appointed by the President of India; the Governor is the constitutional (nominal) head of the state.
Question 5
By whom is the Chief Minister of Rajasthan appointed?
- Aराज्यपाल द्वारा
- Bराष्ट्रपति द्वारा
- Cसर्वोच्च न्यायालय द्वारा
- Dचुनाव आयोग द्वारा
Explanation
The Chief Minister of Rajasthan is appointed by the Governor — generally, the leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Assembly is appointed Chief Minister.
Question 6
Which of the following is a State List subject on which the Rajasthan Assembly can legislate?
- Aरेलवे
- Bभूमि व कृषि
- Cमुद्रा
- Dबंदरगाह
Explanation
Land and agriculture are State List subjects, on which the Rajasthan Assembly can make laws; railways, currency and ports are Union List subjects.
Question 7
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to whom?
- Aराज्यपाल
- Bराज्य विधानसभा
- Cप्रधानमंत्री
- Dसर्वोच्च न्यायालय
Explanation
The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the state Legislative Assembly — this is the core principle of a responsible parliamentary system of government.
Question 8
What is the normal term of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly?
- A4 वर्ष
- B5 वर्ष
- C6 वर्ष
- D7 वर्ष
Explanation
The normal term of the Rajasthan Assembly is 5 years, though it can also be dissolved before its term ends.
Question 9
A teacher has Class 8 students read a newspaper report on a Rajasthan Assembly session and identify the roles of Governor, CM, and ministers. This activity mainly develops which skill?
- Aगणितीय गणना
- Bवास्तविक जीवन की संस्थाओं को पहचानने व जोड़ने का कौशल
- Cचित्रकला कौशल
- Dशारीरिक दक्षता
Explanation
Teaching with real material like a newspaper gives children the skill of connecting textbook concepts (Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers) to real-world events, which is the goal of meaningful civics education.
Question 10
How many seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST) in the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly?
- A20
- B25
- C30
- D34
Explanation
Of the Rajasthan Assembly's 200 seats, 25 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST), while 34 seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC).
Frequently asked questions
How many REET questions come from State Government (Rajasthan)?+
REET 2024 carried 1 question from this topic; Rajasthan's system of governance is a regular part of the Civics section.
How many total seats does the Rajasthan Assembly have?+
The Rajasthan Assembly has 200 seats in total, of which 34 are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC) and 25 for Scheduled Tribes (ST).
Is Rajasthan's legislature unicameral or bicameral?+
Rajasthan's legislature is unicameral — there is only the Legislative Assembly here, no Legislative Council.
Who appoints the Governor?+
The Governor is appointed by the President of India; the Governor is the constitutional head of the state.
Who are the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers responsible to?+
The Chief Minister and Council of Ministers are collectively responsible to the state Legislative Assembly.
Where is the principal seat of the Rajasthan High Court?+
The principal seat of the Rajasthan High Court is at Jodhpur (established 1949); it also has a bench at Jaipur.
Where in India did three-tier Panchayati Raj begin first?+
The three-tier Panchayati Raj system first began on 2 October 1959 from Nagaur, Rajasthan, inaugurated by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru — making Rajasthan the first state in India to adopt this system.
How does the bill-passing process in Rajasthan differ from Parliament's?+
Because Rajasthan is unicameral, a bill only needs to pass through the Assembly, whereas in Parliament a bill must go through both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha; in Rajasthan, a passed bill goes directly to the Governor for assent.
Can the Governor reject a bill passed by the Assembly?+
The Governor can give assent to a bill, withhold it, or return it to the Assembly for reconsideration; certain specific bills can also be reserved by the Governor for the President's consideration.
Who appoints the members of the Council of Ministers in Rajasthan?+
The members (ministers) of the Council of Ministers in Rajasthan are appointed by the Governor, on the advice of the Chief Minister.
Who summons a session of the Rajasthan Assembly?+
A session of the Rajasthan Assembly is summoned by the Governor, just as sessions of Parliament are summoned by the President; there cannot be a gap of more than 6 months between two sessions.
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Official Sources
Change Log
- 17 September 2026 — English page published — mirrors the fact-checked Hindi page, independently bilingual-accuracy checked