What is terrorism? What should India do to tackle the menace of terrorism

 Why is it in the news? 

1. 26 tourists including two foreigners were killed by a group of terrorists in the upper reaches of Pahalgam on 22nd April,2025.  A huge number of people were also wounded.

2. This is the first major terror attack on civilians in Kashmir since the centre ended the special status of Jammu & Kashmir by abolishing article 370 in 2019.  

3. The resistant front, an offshoot of Lashkar-e-Taiba, claimed responsibility for the attack. However, the security agencies did not confirm the veracity of the claim. The outfit alleged that 85000 domicile certificates have been issued to non-locals, creating a pathway for demographic change in Jammu & Kashmir. Violence will be directed towards those attempting to settle illegally. 

4. Important world leaders like the US President Trump, France President Macron, the UKs Prime Minister Keir Starmer reacted sharply on the dastardly act of terrorists and extended full support to India and families of victims.   

 Government’s response

1. The Union Home Minister rushed to Srinagar to assess the situation. All top brass of Jammu & Kashmir officials were present during the meeting along with the Union Home Minister. 

2. Police and paramilitary forces launched a massive search for the perpetrators of the attack. 

3. India announced a closure of the border with Pakistan and curbs on the special visa programme. 

4. The Government has also suspended the Indus water treaty of 1960 whereby, the waters of rivers of Sindhu, Chenab and Jhelum were to be utilised by Pakistan and waters of rivers of Ravi, Beas and Sutlaj were to be used by India. 

5. India has also downgraded its diplomatic ties with Pakistan. The Bagha border was shut down for an indefinite period. 

What is terrorism?

1. Terrorism is the unlawful use of violence against civilians to achieve political, ideological, religious or social objectives. It creates a sense of fear among the population, coercing the government in accepting the demands of terrorists. The modus operandi of terrorists includes bombing of major Government installations, shooting of high profile personalities to create havoc among people, hijacking of aeroplanes and cyber attacks. These non-state actors are sometimes supported by a government to achieve the desired end. For example, terrorist outfits have been supported by the Pakistan Government to liberate Jammu & Kashmir from India for the last 30 years.  

2. These terrorist outfits often cross the line of actual control or international border and target security forces, civilians. They damage infrastructure. They resort to suicide (Fiyadin) attack. They adopt propaganda, radicalised youths to sustain insurgency. They smuggle weapons, explosives and funds across borders to sustain terror operations. 

Difference between terrorism and insurgency?

1. Definition : Terrorism involves the deliberate use of violence to create fear among the population and the government to achieve specific political, ideological or religious goals.  It is carried out by non-state actors. 

Insurgency is a prolonged, organised armed rebellion against the existing government in order to overthrow it. Thus, it wants to replace the existing government with its own government. 

2. Objectives : It wants to achieve a specific goal. Its main focus is to get maximum traction by causing high profile devastating acts. 

Insurgency on the other hand has a political vision. It wants to gain territorial control. It seeks to overthrow the existing government. 

3. Targets : Terrorist outfits target civilians, public infrastructure, bombing of crowded markets, thereby, disrupting normal life and creating panic among people. 

Insurgency on the other hand targets police and paramilitary forces, government infrastructure. It avoids widespread targeting of civilians so that they should not lose their support. 

4. Methods : Terrorists outfits operate clandestinely to evade detection. They rely upon the high impact of their terrorist activities. For example, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) targeted CRPF in 2019 killing more than 40 security forces in Pulwama. 

Insurgency on the other hand resorts to sustained Guerrilla warfare, ambushes and sabotage to challenge state forces over time.  It seeks to control territory and establish a parallel government to disrupt state administration. 

In short, terrorism involves small groups having the target to achieve specific ends, on the other hand insurgency involves well organised groups with clear leadership and political objectives. 

Causes of terrorism?

Terrorism in India has stemmed from the variety of interconnected causes. Important causes for the rise of terrorism in India are

1. Cross border terrorism - Several terrorist outfits like Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) ,Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) are being supported by Pakistan to destabilise Jammu & Kashmir. These terrorist outfits have been engaged in J & K for the last 30 years. Thousands of civilians, security forces and terrorists perished. 

2. Feeling of separatism - States like Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura always sought for autonomy or secession from the Indian Union because of the perceived neglect or oppression. 

3. Ethno-religious conflicts - Long standing disputes between different religions and ethnic groups have often led to communal violence in India. 

4. Nasalism - On account of social economic inequalities, land alienation and tribal exploitation, Naxalites have been resorting to violence against the Government. These naxalite groups are very much active in the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Odisha.  

5. The rise of radicalisation of youths - Radicalization is a process by which individuals or groups adopt extreme political, religious or ideological beliefs often leading to the endorsement of use of violence to achieve the goal. It is driven by a combination of push and pull factors. Push factors include political grievances, economic marginalisation. Social alienation and psychological trauma on account of loss of one’s close relatives. Pull factors include ideological appeal to promise justice and empowerment, the use of social media to get messages from extremists and a sense of belonging to a particular terrorist group which provides them economic sustenance. 

Important terrorist outfits in India. 

1. Lashkar-e-Taiba - It was founded in 1987 by Hafiz Sayyid in Pakistan. It wants to liberate Kashmir from India. It attacks on security forces and civilians of Jammu & Kashmir. It is held responsible for the 2001 attack on Indian Parliament and 2008 Mumbai attacks. It is getting support from Pakistani ISI. It engages in cross border infiltration, usage media for propaganda and recruitment and indulge in suicide attacks and bombings. It is a major threat to the security of Jammu and Kashmir. 

2. Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM) - It is a Pakistan terrorist outfit, established by Masud Azhar in 2000. It seeks to merge Jammu & Kashmir with Pakistan. It was involved in the 2019 Pulwama attack whereby 40 CRPF personnels were killed. It was involved in the Pathankot  air base attack in 2016. 

3. Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) - It was established in 1989 in Jammu & Kashmir. It is pro Pakistan. It seeks secession of Jammu & Kashmir from India and integration with Pakistan. It operates Guerilla warfare against Indian security forces. It adopts hit and run tactics. It coordinates with Pakistan based terrorist groups for arms, training and funding. Its influence has weakened because of the heavy crackdown by Indian security forces. 

4. Indian Mujahideen (IM)  - It emerged as an offshoot of the students Islamic movement of India (SIMI) in 2000. Its aim is to establish an Islamic caliphate in India. It believes in retaliating against perceived anti-Muslim policies. It is active across India, targeting urban centres outside Jammu & Kashmir. It was responsible for bombings in cities like Delhi (2011) and Hyderabad (2013). It collaborates with Pakistani based groups like LeT for funding and logistics. It operates in a very decentralised manner to evade detection. Its influence has become off late on account of countermeasures by security forces. 

5. Al Qaeda in the Indian subcontinent (AQIS) - It was founded in 2014 as a regional branch of Al Qaeda based in Pakistan. Its ideology is to establish an Islamic Caliphate in India. Its modus operandi is online propaganda to inspire lone wolf attacks. It targets disaffected youths in Jammu & Kashmir and other regions. Its area of operation is very much limited in India but its activity is a matter of concern because of its global network.   

6. Islamic States (ISIS) - Its branch emerged in 2016. Its aim is to establish a caliphate in India and wage war against the Indian State. 

7. It is active in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir, state of Kerala and others. It targets Shia Muslims, Hindus and security forces to create communal discord. 

It has a limited presence in India but poses a growing threat due to its global network. 

8. Communist party of India (Maoist) - It was formed in 2004 by the merger of two major Naxalite groups of People’s War Group (PWG) and Maoist communist Centre of India (MCCI). Its ideology is to overthrow Indian states and establish a classless society based on the principles of Marxism, Leninism and Maoism. It targets feudal structures, capitalism and state institutions. It claims to represent marginalised tribes and rural communities. It is very much active in the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra, cumulatively called Red Corridor. It conducts raids upon Government officials, uses IED (Improvised Explosive Devices) against security forces. It runs parallel administrations in some areas, collecting taxes and providing relief to the local population to garner their support. It uses propaganda to mobilise tribal communities against land acquisition and industrial projects. The countermeasures by the security forces weakened their strengths in the states of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. In 2025, so far more than 100 Naxalites have been killed by security forces. 

9. People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army - It stands for Maoist ideology. It wants to protect tribal rights in the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Maharashtra. It adopts Guerrilla tactics to evade security forces. It conducts ambushes and attacks on security forces by the use of IEDs. It sabotages government infrastructure like roads, bridges to cut off the presence of government machinery. It conducted the 2013 Darbha Valley attack (Chhattisgarh) whereby 27 Congress leaders were killed. 

Thus, while terrorism in J&K is driven by cross border support, religious extremism and geo political factors, Naxalite violence is domestic insurgency rooted in social, economic and ideological grievances. 

10. Khalistan liberation force and Babbar Khalsa international are Sikh extremist groups seeking a separate Sikh state (Khalistan) in Punjab. They are very much active in Punjab and abroad. Off late their strengths have very much weakened. 

11. North East insurgent groups like ULFA-I and NSCN are active in the states of Assam Nagaland, and Manipur. They seek autonomy or secession in the Indian Union because of the Assam Accord in 1985 and Mizo Accord in 1987 and the implementation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) broke the bone of different insurgent outfits in Northeastern regions and they have become now fragile. 

Consequences of terrorism 

1. Disruption of tourism in J & K

2. Damage to infrastructure from attacks

3. Loss of lives of civilians, security forces and terrorist

4. Exodus of Kashmiri Pandits

5. Causes political instability.

6. Hampers democratic processes

7. Creates wedge between different communities, thereby leading to communal tensions

8. Alienation of youths and their radicalisation

9. Strain on the government resources because of the heavy expenditure on security forces

10. Strained India-Pakistan relations, sometimes bordering on the outbreak of war. 

11.Air strikes by the security forces in the interior of Pakistan

Counter measures by the Government of India to tackle terrorism in India

1. India has enhanced border surveillance like drones, thermal imaging and motion sensors to curb cross border infiltration by various terrorist groups. 

2. India has adopted the comprehensive integrated border management system which includes electronic surveillance and physical barriers along the India-Pakistan border to prevent smuggling of arms and ammunition. 

3. The security forces conduct cordon and search operations on the regular basis to flush out militants and dismantle their hideouts on the basis of intelligence inputs. 

4. India has also conducted surgical strikes in 2016 and 2019 to deter cross border terrorism. 

5. In Naxal affected areas, the security forces launched operation Green Hunt (2009-13) and operation Prahar to target the strongholds of Naxalites in the state of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha. 

6. The security forces pressed into service the COBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) to flush out Naxal hideouts in dense forests, 

7. The Government equipped security forces with advanced weaponry, bullet proof vests and night vision devices to enhance operational efficiency. 

8. The government established the National Investigation Agency (NIA) in 2008 to investigate and prosecute terrorism related cases across India, bypassing state jurisdiction.    

9. Armed forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA)  was applied in the disturbed areas of Jammu & Kashmir and North Eastern regions.

10. UAPA (Unlawful Activities Prevention Act),1967, was further strengthened by designating individuals and organisations as terrorists. It provides prolonged detention without bail and seizure of assets linked to terror financing. 

11. The Government enacted the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002 to tackle and track illicit financial flows and provision for the seizure of ill gotten assets. It keeps a strict tap upon hawala transactions. 

12. India has banned numerous terrorist groups like LeT, JeM, Hizbul Mujahideen, CPI Maoist and Islamic State. 

13. Different intelligence agencies like Intelligence Bureau (IB), Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and State intelligence agencies cooperate and coordinate among themselves to facilitate real time information exchange. 

14. The central government has taken several measures for the development of infrastructure like roads, schools, hospitals. It focused upon skilled development and job creation for Kashmiri youth. An effort has been made to promote tourism to revive the economy of Jammu & Kashmir. 

15. Similarly, in the Naxal affected areas, an effort has been made to improve access to education, healthcare and housing of tribal youths. The Government launched rehabilitation along with the surrender policy. The surrendered Naxalites are provided vocational training and stipends. 

16. The central government as well as state government in J&K launched de-radicalisation programmes by associating and collaborating with local leaders to counter extremists narratives propagated by terrorist groups. 

17.  The government has restored democratic process in J & K by conducting local elections and by empowering Panchayati Raj institutions. 

18. The Government of India used international fora like the UN and Financial Action Task Force to hold Pakistan accountable for supporting terrorism in J&K. India pushes for the extradition of terrorists like Hafiz Sayyed and Mashud Azhar.

19. The enforcement directorate and financial intelligence unit freeze assets linked to terror financing, crackdowns on drug trafficking and armed smuggling along the India Pakistan border. 

Conclusion

1. The Government has employed a multipronged approach to counter terrorism. It has enhanced intelligence gathering, strengthened security operations and made stringent laws to tackle terrorism. It also launched socio economic development programmes, counter radicalisation and sought international cooperation. After the revocation of article 370 and downgrading of the state of Jammu & Kashmir to union territory the frequency of terrorist activities has come down in recent years. Similarly, the pro-active approach of the security forces in Naxal affected areas further weakened the strongholds of naxalites in different states of India. It is hoped that by sustained efforts, the Governments would be able to dismantle terrorist networks in J&K and naxalite strongholds in central India.

Why has Industrial Production dipped recently in the month of February in India?

 Why is it in the news? 

1. The index of industrial production grew at its slowest rate in six months, clocking a pace of 2.9% in February, thereby decelerating growth across all sectors according to data from the Ministry of Statics and Programme implementation. 

2.A combination of high base effects along with a slowing growth and manufacturing sectors led to the growth falling in the month of February 2025. Mining sector growth slowed to 1.6% in February as against 8.1% in the same month of the previous year. Manufacturing sector grew at a pace of 2.9% as against 4.9% in the previous year. Electricity production dipped to 3.6% in the month of February 2025 against 7.6%  last year. 

3. As per use based classification, capital goods output grew the fastest at 8.2% in the month of February 2025 against the 1.7% in the corresponding month in 2024. All other goods categories registered a slower output growth in February 2025 compared to the corresponding month last year. Intermediate goods output grew the slowest at 1.5%, consumer non durable at 2.1% against 3.2% the last year.  

4. ​In February 2025, India's consumer durables sector experienced a year-on-year growth of 3.8%, marking a significant slowdown compared to the 12.6% growth recorded in February 2024.

The deceleration in consumer durables growth reflects challenges such as subdued urban demand and global economic uncertainties. However, the resilience in capital and infrastructure goods points to ongoing investment momentum, potentially offsetting some consumption weaknesses.​

What is the index of industrial production? How is it calculated?

1. The index of industrial production is a monthly economic indicator published by the National Statistical Office to measure the short term changes in the volume of production of selected industrial sectors in India. It is a key measure to track industrial activity and is often used by policy makers, economists and analysts.   

2. IIP includes three major sectors : These are manufacturing, having a weightage of 77.6%, mining 14.4% and electricity 8.0%. 

3. IIP is also classified by use based sectors like primary goods, capital goods, intermediate goods, infrastructure/construction goods, consumer durables and consumer non-durables. 

4. To calculate IIP, the base year is 2011-12. The formula for IIP is IIP=∑(Wi​×Ri​)​ / ∑Wi​

Where:

Wi = Weight of i-th product.

Ri = Production index of i-th item = Current production / base year production * by 100. 

Sector	Weight	Base year Production	Current Production	Ri
Manufacturing	77.6	100 units	110 units	110
Mining	14.4	100 units	90 units	90
Electricity	8.0	100 units	105 units	105

IIP = ( 77.6 * 110) + (14.4 * 90) + (8.0 * 105) 

77.6 + 14.4 + 8.0

   =  8536 + 1296 + 840 

100

= 10672/100 = 106.72 

So the IIP would be an increase of 6.72% in industrial production compared to the base year. Thus, IIP is a crucial indicator of India’s industrial performance and provides valuable insights for policy formulation. However, being a volume index, it does not reflect price changes or productivity improvements. 

Why has industrial production dipped recently in India?

1. The industrial production in India has experienced a severe slowdown in the month of february 2025 at 2.9% YoY basis falling short of the anticipated 4% growth. There were several factors for the poor growth of the industrial sector. These are : 

• weak domestic demand - Consumer demand in rural areas has been sluggish because of the stagnant wage growth and high borrowing cost. This led to the low spending on consumer goods leading to the lower production of consumer durables and non-durables. 

• Global economic headwinds - The slow down in the global demand has adversely affected India’s export of textiles, pharmaceuticals and electrical equipment. The declines in export, in turn , led to the contraction in the output of manufacturing goods. 

• Under performance of production linked schemes - India’s $23 billion production linked scheme aimed at boosting domestic manufacturing has underperformed. Only a fraction of the allocated funds has been disbursed. Thus, the scheme has failed to meet production targets. 

• Adverse weather conditions - Excessive rainfall in August 2024, disrupted mining activities, thereby, contributing a contraction in the mining sector and affecting overall industrial output. 

• High interest rates - The policy of the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates to combat inflation have increased borrowing cost, leading to reduced consumer spending and lower corporate investments. 

How can the growth in industrial production be increased?

1. Boost domestic demand by lowering interest rates to encourage consumption and investment. That's why the RBI has reduced the Repo Rate from 6.25% to 6% to enhance consumption demand. Secondly, there is a need to enhance rural income through MGNREGA , MSP rationalisation , rural infrastructure  and enhanced amounts under PM-Kisan. There is also a need to give tax incentives so that people may purchase durable as well as non durable goods. 

2. Strengthening of manufacturing ecosystem should be resorted to by revamping PLI scheme, ease of doing business, ease compliance burden of MSMEs through digital single window system and adopting cluster based development sectors like textiles, electronics and pharmaceuticals. 

3. Improving infrastructure by accelerating projects under PM Gati Shakti, providing continued power supply for industrial clusters and industrial corridor development. 

4. Increasing export competitiveness by reducing logistic costs from 14% of GDP in India to 8% of GDP like in China, making headway by signing free trade agreements with different countries of the world  for having wider access to the global market and incentivising high value exports over raw materials/ traditional items. 

5.  Innovating and skilling through expansion of skill India Mission with a focus on AI, Robotics, Electronics and Green tech, strengthening research and development through public and private partnership and establishing innovation clusters like IITs and IIITs. 

6. Disposal of litigation through fast track courts and acquisition of land within the time limit. 

Government Efforts 

1. The Government made several provisions for the improvement in the industrial production in India in the Union Budget 2025-26. This includes the launching of a National Manufacturing mission with a focus on cluster based development, support for MSME and start up by providing loans up to 2 crores to 5 lakh first time entrepreneurs for women SC and ST categories. 

The budget further revised the classification norms for MSMEs for better access to beneficiaries. The budget also allocated 1.5 lakh crore interest free 50 year loans to interest for capital expenditure. It also provided for the expansion of PM Gati Shakti for better logistics and industrial connectivity. It further created a 25 thousand crore maritime development fund to support ship building. 

It also increased allocation for research and development and innovation hub under start up and digital India. It also pushed for adoption of industries 4.0 technologies like Ai, IOT and automation in industrial processes. 

2.The budget further rationalised custom duties on critical raw materials to reduce input costs. 

Conclusion

The Union Budget 2025-26 reflects a strategic push towards strengthening India’s industrial base through support to MSMEs, infrastructure expansion and sector specific initiatives. 

To boost industrial production in India, a multi pronged strategy is essential. While there is a need to improve infrastructure, simplify regulation, enhance skill development, support MSMEs and promote technology adoption, there is further need to have coordinated efforts from the government, industry and financial institutions so that India can unlock its manufacturing potential and emerge as a competitive global industrial hub. 

The Discretionary power of the Governor of a state in India.

Why is it in the news? 

1. The Supreme Court on 8th April 2025 delivered a landmark judgement. It termed the conduct of the Governor of Tamil Nadu as unconstitutional. The Court exercised article 142 to bring complete justice and thus, it deemed the ten pending bills to have received the assent, declaring the actions of the President of India who assented to only one of the bills, rejecting seven and not considering two other bills - to be void. Thus, the court ruled that the conduct of the Governor to send ten pending bills which had been re-passed by the state legislative assembly  to the President for reconsideration was completely unconstitutional. 

2. The court set the time limits of one to three months for Governors to take action on future bills. Under article 200 of the constitution, the Governor has three choices. These are to give assent to the bill passed by the state legislature, secondly, to withhold the bill and thirdly,  to reserve the bill for consideration for the President. The court ruled that a Governor has a maximum of one month to withhold assent on the aid and advice of the state cabinet. The court further stated that a maximum of three months is given to return the bill with a message specifying reasons if the Governor withholds assent contrary to the cabinet’s advice. It held that the Governor has three months to reserve a bill for the President’s consideration against the advice of the cabinet. It further held that the Governor must grant assent to a bill repassed by the state legislature under article 200 within a maximum of one month. The court further warned that any failure by a Governor to comply with the timelines would invite judicial review. The court emphasises that Governors have no such absolute or pocket veto. Further a Governor cannot exercise his personal discretion if a house passes the same bill again and returns to him for consent. The top court declared that the Governor’s conduct was arbitrary, non-est (non- existent) and erroneous in law. 

3. The Supreme Court held that a Governor cannot reserve a bill for the President's consideration when the proposed law, which was earlier rejected by him, is presented for the second time by the state legislature.

4. The Court observed that actions of the Governor which impede the will of the people reneges on the constitutional oath of office.  The Governor as the constitutional head of the state is obliged to accord primacy to the will and welfare of the people of the state and earnestly work in harmony with the state machinery. 

5. Thus, the judgement on 8th April by the Supreme Court led to the ending of the pocket veto of the Governor, strengthening the spirit of federalism, and setting the precedent for the resolution of the disputes between the Governors and State Governments. Further, the courts can intervene decisively and review the action of the Governors under article 142 hence forward. 

   

The difference between the positions of the President of India and the Governor of a State. 

1. The President is the constitutional head of the country while a Governor is the constitutional head of a state. 

2. After the 42nd amendment, the President is bound to accept the advice of the Council of Ministers. He can send back the advice of the council of Ministers for reconsideration once. However, after the council of Ministers reconsiders and resubmits its advice, the President must act in accordance with that advice, leaving no room for further discretion. Thus, the executive power of the Union is vested in the elected Government of the day. The President is merely the titular and ceremonial head of the country. 

3. In contrast, article 163 allows Governors to act in their discretion in certain situations required by the constitution. If any question arises whether any matter is or is not a matter as respects which the Governor is by or under the constitution required to act in his discretion, the decision of the Governor in his discretion shall be final. 

What are the discretionary powers of the Governor of a State?

1. The Governor can reserve a bill passed by the state legislature to the President of India. 

2. He can send a report to the President recommending President’s rule under article 356 if he is satisfied that the constitutional machinery of the state has broken down. 

3. If no parties get a clear majority, the Governor can use his discretion in selecting the Chief Minister who is most likely to command a majority in the State Legislative Assembly. 

4. If the Council of Ministers loses majority in the State Assembly and refuses to resign, the Governor can dismiss the Government. 

5. The Governor can recommend dissolution if no party is in a position to form a stable Government. 

6. The Governor can send back  the bill passed by the State Legislature for reconsideration. But if that bill is passed with or without amendments and sent to the Governor, he has no choice but to give assent to that bill.

7. The Governor of a state is required by the constitution to exercise the functions in his discretions are : 

• The Governor of Assam shall, in his discretion, determine the amount payable by the State of Assam to the district council as royalty accruing from licenses for minerals. 

• Under article 239 (2), a Governor can be appointed as an administration of an adjoining Union Territory and in the capacity of the administrator, he will function independently of his Council of Minister.   

• The Governor has special responsibility with regard to certain matters. Though he is to consult his council of Ministers, the final decision shall be in his individual judgement which no court can question. 

• Under 371 (2), the Governor of Maharashtra and Gujarat have the special responsibility for taking steps for the development of Vidarbha and Saurashtra. 

• Under article 371 A, the Governor of Nagaland has special responsibility with regard to law and order in that State. 

• Under article 371 C, the Governor of Manipur has the special responsibility to secure the proper functioning of the committee of state assembly consisting of the members elected from the hilly areas. 

• Under article 371 F, The Governor of Sikkim has special responsibility to ensure social and economic advancement of different sections of the population of Sikkim. 

• Under article 371 H, the Governor of Arunachal Pradesh has special responsibility with respect to law and order and the decision in this regard by the Governor shall be final. 

• Under article 371 J , the Governor of Karnataka has the special responsibility for the establishment of a separate development board for Hyderabad Karnataka region. He will also ensure equitable opportunities and facilities for the people belonging to the said region in matters of public employment, education and vocational training. 

The Governor has to oversee the functioning of the tribal councils of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura. He has to ensure that these tribal councils discharge their functions effectively and efficiently. 

Similarly, the Governor has special responsibility with regard to areas under the Fifth schedule of our constitution. He has to ensure that the tribal councils operating in the Fifth Schedule area are discharging their functions efficiently. 

Different judgements of the Supreme Court with regard to discretionary power of the Governor

1. In S R Bommai vs Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court held that the floor test in the assembly is the best way to determine majority. Whether a party enjoys a majority in the legislative assembly will be determined on the floor of the House. It should not be based upon the subjective satisfaction of the Governor. 

2. Similarly it held that the report of the Governor to the President for the imposition of the President rule is subject to judicial review. 

3.In the Rameshwar Prasad vs Union of India (2006), the Supreme Court held the dissolution of Bihar Assembly unconstitutional, It held that the Governor acted without verifying if a party could form Government. Thus, the actions of the Governor are subject to judicial review. 

4. In the case of Nabam Rebia vs Deputy Speaker (2016), the Supreme Court held that the Governor cannot act on his own to summon, prorogue or dissolve assembly. Actions of the Governor must be based on aid and advice of the council of Ministers. 

5. In the case of Shamsher Singh vs State of Punjab, the Supreme Court held that the Governor is bound by aid and advice of the council of Ministers, discretion of the Governor is very much limited and this should be used only where the constitution specifically allows him.

The present position of the Governor

1. Governors are now primarily bound by the advice of the Council of Ministers with having limited discretionary powers. Moreover, these discretionary powers are subject to strict judicial review. In the case of the State of Tamil Nadu vs the Governor of Tamil Nadu 2025, the Supreme Court restricted discretion in reserving re-enacted bills. 

2. He is expected to act as an impartial constitutional head and not as a partition agent. 

3. The Governor should respect the State Government’s authority while acting as a link between the state and the Union Government. He should not do anything which would subvert the federal spirit in our country.