Bihar Governor in March 2018: Understanding the Role

The question asks about the individual who held the constitutional office of Governor of Bihar in March 2018. The Governor is the constitutional head of a state in India, appointed by the President of India for a term of five years. They act on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, except in matters where they are required to act in their own discretion.

Identifying the Governor of Bihar in March 2018

To answer this question, we need to recall or verify who was serving as the Governor of Bihar during that specific period, which is March 2018. Records indicate that Shri Satya Pal Malik was serving as the Governor of Bihar at that time. He was appointed as the Governor of Bihar in September 2017 and served until August 2018.

Let's look at the options provided:

• Satya Pal Malik: He was appointed as the Governor of Bihar in September 2017. Therefore, he was indeed the Governor of Bihar in March 2018.
• Kiran Bedi: Kiran Bedi was the Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry during that period, not the Governor of Bihar.
• Devandra Kumar Joshi: Devendra Kumar Joshi was appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in October 2017. He was not the Governor of Bihar.
• Ram vilas Paswan: Ram Vilas Paswan was a prominent Indian politician and a Union Minister in the Central Government during that time. He held a legislative or ministerial position, not the constitutional office of a state Governor.

Based on historical appointments and roles, Shri Satya Pal Malik was the correct officeholder for the position of Governor of Bihar in March 2018.

Therefore, the person who was the newly appointed Governor of Bihar as of March 2018, having taken office in September 2017, was Satya Pal Malik.

Revision Table: Key Governors and Appointments

Additional Information: Role of State Governors

The Governor's role is outlined in Part VI of the Constitution of India. Key aspects include:

• Appointment: Appointed by the President of India, not elected.
• Term: Holds office during the pleasure of the President, typically a five-year term.
• Qualifications: Must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years old.
• Powers: Possesses executive, legislative, financial, and judicial powers. However, these are mostly exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers, except in specific discretionary matters (e.g., reserving a bill for the President, recommending President's rule).
• Oath: Takes an oath to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the law.
• Relationship with State Government: Acts as a bridge between the Union Government and the State Government.

Understanding the function and appointment process of a Governor helps clarify why knowing the specific individual holding the office at a given time is relevant for questions about state administration.