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Polity and governanceCommittees2007

Punchhi Commission

Centre-State relations: fixed tenure for Governors and time limits on State Bills.

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Its report was submitted in 2010.

Practise this in the app: flashcards, quiz and a timed answer
Prelims

Quick recall

Who chaired the Punchhi Commission?
Former CJI M.M. Punchhi.
When did it report?
2010.
What tenure did it propose for Governors?
A fixed five-year term.
What is a 'localised emergency'?
Applying emergency provisions to a specific area rather than the whole State.
What time limit did it propose for reserved Bills?
Six months.
How should Governors be removable, per Punchhi?
Through impeachment-like resolution by the State legislature.

Asked before in UPSC

Recurring theme: Office of the Governor and Centre-State balance

Mains
  1. 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks

    Discuss the position of the Governor in the federal polity of India. What is the nature of his power while giving assent to a bill passed by the State Legislature? Is he bound by the aid and advice of his Council of Ministers in all his functions?

    Punchhi recommended time limits for Governors to act on State Bills and a fixed tenure with removal only by due process.

  2. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marks

    Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India?

    The Punchhi report also covered Centre-State financial relations, useful for the fiscal federalism part.

  3. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks

    Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the Legislature.

    Governor's legislative role (Article 213) is a core Punchhi theme; add Krishna Kumar Singh (2017) on re-promulgation.

  4. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marks

    The jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding lodging an FIR and conducting probe within a particular state is being questioned by various States. However, the power of States to withhold consent to the CBI is not absolute. Explain with special reference to the federal character of India.

    Policing and law and order friction between Centre and States is a Punchhi theme; use its recommendations on central forces and localised emergencies.

  5. 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marks

    The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasised in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.

    Punchhi's 2010 report is the most recent comprehensive review of the structure this question asks about.

Prelims
  1. 2025 · Prelims

    Consider the following statements: I. The Constitution of India explicitly mentions that in certain spheres the Governor of a State acts in his/her own discretion. II. The President of India can, of his/her own, reserve a bill passed by a State Legislature for his/her consideration without it being forwarded by the Governor of the State concerned. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Governor's discretion and reservation of Bills are exactly the issues where Punchhi sought limits.

  2. 2018 · Prelims

    Consider the following statements: 1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State in any court during his term of office. 2. The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a State shall not be diminished during his term of office. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    Tests constitutional protections of the Governor's office, the institution Punchhi sought to reform.

The basics

Why it matters

The Punchhi Commission (2007-10), chaired by former CJI M.M. Punchhi, was the second major review of Centre-State relations, updating Sarkaria for a changed political and economic landscape.

2010
Year the report was submitted
In seven volumes.

Key recommendations

It focused on Governors, emergencies and security.

Punchhi recommendations
  1. 1GovernorsFixed five-year tenure; removal by resolution of the State legislature
  2. 2Localised emergencyApply Article 355/356 to specific areas
  3. 3AssentTime limit of six months on Bills reserved for the President
  4. 4Concurrent ListConsult States before legislating

You now know

  • Set up in 2007, reported in 2010; chaired by M.M. Punchhi.
  • Governors should have a fixed five-year tenure.
  • Proposed 'localised emergency' for specific districts.
  • Six-month time limit for decisions on reserved Bills.

Go deeper

In one line: Punchhi updated Sarkaria's federalism agenda for today's India.

Why it matters for UPSC

Governors' conduct and emergency provisions remain live issues.

The core idea

It sought to make the Governor more neutral and emergencies narrower, through the idea of a Localised emergency.

Where to go next

In one line: Most Punchhi recommendations await action.

Current relevance

Disputes over Governors' delays on Bills have repeatedly reached the Supreme Court, and whether courts can fix timelines for assent has itself been contested. See Governor and Localised emergency.

Where to go next

Governor

Constitutional head of a State

In one line: The Governor is appointed by the President and holds office at the President's pleasure.

Powers

Assent to Bills, reserving Bills for the President and discretion in some matters.

Debate

Delays in assent have led to court cases.

Where to go next

Governor: every story that connects to it (2)

Localised emergency

Emergency powers for specific areas

In one line: A localised emergency would apply central powers to a district or area, not a whole State.

Proposed by

The Punchhi Commission.

Aim

Deal with local crises without dismissing State governments.

Where to go next

  • Governor: Constitutional head of a State

Prelims-style quiz

  1. The Punchhi Commission dealt with:

    1. Judicial appointments
    2. Centre-State relations
    3. Electoral reforms
    4. Police reforms
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) Centre-State relations. Centre-State relations.

  2. Consider the following:
    1. Punchhi proposed a localised emergency.
    2. It proposed Governors hold office at the President's pleasure without a fixed term.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) 1 only. It proposed a fixed five-year term.

  3. The Punchhi Commission was set up in:

    1. 2014
    2. 1983
    3. 1996
    4. 2007
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) 2007. 2007.

  4. Which commission preceded Punchhi on Centre-State relations?

    1. Shah
    2. Kothari
    3. Sarkaria
    4. Mandal
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Sarkaria. Sarkaria (1983-88).

Syllabus

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