[UPPSC-UP Special Syllabus Decoded] Political System of UP: Governance, Governor, Chief Minister, Council of Ministers, State Assembly and State Council, Center-State Relation

1. Governance in Uttar Pradesh

Trend: Questions have shifted from static polity to “Governance Models,” “Technological Interventions,” and “Targeted Delivery Systems.”

A. Administrative Structure & Reforms

• Commissionerate System:
  • Status: Operational in 7 major cities (Lucknow, Noida, Kanpur, Varanasi, Agra, Ghaziabad, Prayagraj).
  • Reform: Separation of magisterial powers (Section 144, Arms Act licensing) from the District Magistrate (DM) to the Police Commissioner (CP) for faster decision-making.
• E-Governance Initiatives:
  • Family ID (Ek Parivar Ek Pahchan): Creating a dynamic database to identify families with zero government benefits (Target: “One Family, One Job”).
  • Nivesh Mitra: Single Window System for ease of doing business (EoDB).
  • Mine Mitra: Satellite-based surveillance to curb illegal mining.

B. Law & Order Governance (The “Zero Tolerance” Model)

• Policy Framework: Aggressive use of the Gangsters Act for property confiscation of organized crime syndicates.
• Operation Conviction: Launched to expedite prosecution in heinous crimes (Murder, Rape, Cow Slaughter, Conversion) by prioritizing forensic evidence collection.
• UP Control of Organized Crime Act (UPCOCA): Proposed stringent law on the lines of MCOCA (Maharashtra) to tackle organized crime syndicates.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• UP Police’s 11-Point Action Plan (June 2025): A new strategic roadmap assigning specific focus areas (Cybercrime, Women Safety, Traffic) to senior IPS officers for targeted improvements.
• Viksit Bharat G Ram G Act, 2025: A historic state-level act aimed at transforming rural infrastructure and guaranteeing employment, positioning UP as a leader in rural governance reforms.
• Anti-Paper Leak Ordinance: Following exam leaks, UP promulgated a strict ordinance (2024) proposing life imprisonment and ₹1 Crore fine for organized solver gangs.

2. State Executive: Governor, Chief Minister & Council of Ministers

Trend: Analytical questions on the “Governor’s Discretionary Powers” and the “Double Engine” leadership impact.

A. Governor of Uttar Pradesh

• Constitutional Role: Dual role as the Constitutional Head (Article 153) and Agent of the Centre.
• Discretionary Powers:
  • Bill Reservation: Power to reserve state bills for Presidential consideration (Article 200) – often a point of friction.
  • University Chancellor: Role in appointing Vice-Chancellors to State Universities.
• Recent Friction: Debates over the autonomy of state universities vs. the Governor’s interference in VC appointments.

B. Chief Minister (CM)

Role in Development:

• • “Double Engine” Governance: Leveraging same-party rule at Center and State to fast-track high-capital projects (e.g., RRTS, Metro, Defence Corridor).
  • Team UP: Centralized decision-making model focused on achieving the $1 Trillion Economy goal.
• Relationship with Governor: Evolving dynamics from historic conflicts (Romesh Bhandari era) to present coordination.

C. Council of Ministers

• Structure: Cabinet Ministers, Ministers of State (Independent Charge), and MoS.
• Cabinet Committees: Role of specific sub-committees (e.g., Investment Facilitation, Law & Order) in expediting policy approvals.
• Accountability: Collective responsibility to the Vidhan Sabha (Article 164).

 Current Affairs Linkage ::

• Supreme Court Advisory (April 2025): In a landmark clarification relevant to all Governors (including UP), the SC ruled that Governors cannot sit on bills indefinitely and must act within reasonable timelines, rejecting the concept of “deemed assent” by silence.
• GCC Policy SOP-2025: The UP Cabinet, chaired by the CM, approved the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Global Capability Centres (GCC) Policy 2024, aiming to make UP a hub for high-tech global services.

3. State Legislature: Assembly and Council

Trend: Focus on “Digitization of the House” (e-Vidhan) and the “Productivity of Sessions.”

A. Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)

• Composition: 403 Elected Members.
• NeVA (National e-Vidhan Application):
  • Implementation: UP is a frontrunner. Tablets are installed on every seat; the agenda, questions, and budget are presented digitally.
  • Impact: Reduced paper usage, searchable digital archives, and transparency.
• Rules of Procedure: Recent changes to forbid carrying mobile phones/placards into the well of the house.

B. Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad)

• Bicameralism: UP is one of only 6 states with a bicameral legislature.
• Relevance:
  • Utility: Representation of teachers and graduates; revising chamber for hasty legislation.
  • Criticism: Often used for political rehabilitation (“Backdoor entry”) of defeated leaders.
• Composition: 100 Members (Elected by MLAs, Local Bodies, Teachers, Graduates, and Governor’s Nominees).

 Current Affairs Linkage ::

• Regional Languages in House (Feb 2025): In a major cultural reform, the UP Vidhan Parishad allowed members to speak in 5 local dialects—Avadhi, Braj, Bhojpuri, Bundeli, and Khari Boli—besides Hindi and English, to promote linguistic heritage.
• NeVA Award (Oct 2025): The UP Legislature was recognized at the National Conference for successfully implementing the “One Nation, One Application” module, achieving near-total paperless proceedings.

4. Center-State Relations (UP Context)

Trend: Fiscal Federalism (16th Finance Commission) and implementation of Central Schemes.

A. Fiscal Relations

• Tax Devolution:
  • 16th Finance Commission: UP is demanding a 50% share in the vertical devolution (up from 41%) and a revision of horizontal criteria.
  • Specific Demands: UP argues that the “Income Distance” criteria punishes performing states and has requested a reduction in its weightage, while demanding higher weightage for Population (2011 Census).
• Grants-in-Aid: Reliance on central funds for massive infrastructure projects (Expressways, Medical Colleges).

B. Administrative & Legislative Relations

• All India Services (AIS): Control over IAS/IPS officers (Deputation rules).
• Central Schemes (Saturation Approach):
  • PMAY (Rural/Urban): UP consistently ranks #1 in implementation.
  • Jal Jeevan Mission: Massive central funding is crucial for solving water crises in Bundelkhand & Vindhya regions.
• Inter-State Disputes:
  • Ken-Betwa Link Project: A model of cooperative federalism solving water disputes between UP and MP.

 Current Affairs Linkage :

• 16th Finance Commission Memorandum (June 2025): The UP Government officially submitted its memorandum to the 16th FC, demanding ₹5 Lakh Crore specifically for 11 sectors (including ₹2.1 Lakh Crore for Panchayati Raj) to bridge the infrastructure gap.
• Supplementary Budget 2025-26: Presented in Jan 2026, this budget (approx ₹24,000 Cr) focused heavily on aligning state goals with central priorities like “Viksit Bharat,” reinforcing the “Double Engine” synergy.