2018 · GS Paper 2 · Q11 · 15 marks
Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine.
In short
The July 2018 judgment settled the principle that Delhi's Lieutenant Governor must follow the elected ministry's advice, but not the tussle, since services stayed open and Parliament could override by law. Parliament's 2023 civil service authority, created weeks after the Court gave services to Delhi, proves this.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 293 words
Aid and advice binding
The LG has no independent power outside police, public order and land.
"Any matter" read down
References to the President are for exceptional cases, not every file.
Concurrence not needed
Decisions are communicated to the LG but need no prior approval.
Services left open
The 2018 Bench did not decide control over officers, and a two-judge bench split on it in 2019.
Legislative override
Parliament answered rulings by statute, defining "Government" as the LG in 2021 and creating the National Capital Civil Service Authority in 2023 after the Court gave services to Delhi.
Statutory powers
In 2024 the Court let the LG nominate MCD aldermen on his own under the municipal law.
Political roots
Friction eased after the same party won Delhi in February 2025.
Settle services by consensus
Agreed rules on control of officers remove the main trigger.
Reference protocol
Written criteria and timelines for referring differences to the President.
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Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2018 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.