At a glance
The Governor is the constitutional head of a State, much as the President is for the Union. Real executive power lies with the Chief Minister and the Council of Ministers, and the Governor normally acts on their advice. The Governor is also the Centre's link to the State, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the President.
Key facts
- Constitution: Part VI, Articles 153 to 167 (core provisions in Articles 153–162)
- Article 153: a Governor for each State; the 7th Amendment (1956) allows one person to be Governor of two or more States
- Article 155: appointed by the President by warrant under hand and seal
- Article 156: holds office during the pleasure of the President; normal term five years
- Article 157: must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years old
- Article 158: cannot be a member of Parliament or a State legislature or hold another office of profit
- Article 159: oath administered by the Chief Justice of the State's High Court (or the senior-most judge in his absence)
- Article 161: power to grant pardons and remit sentences for offences under State law
- Article 200: assent to Bills (assent, withhold, return non-Money Bills, or reserve for the President)
- Article 213: power to issue ordinances when the legislature is not in session
- Article 356: Governor's report can lead to President's Rule
- Article 361: immunity from court proceedings for official acts
How it works
Executive powers. The Governor appoints the Chief Minister (Article 164) and, on the CM's advice, other ministers, the Advocate General (Article 165) and the State Election Commissioner. All executive action of the State is taken in the Governor's name.
Legislative powers. The Governor summons and prorogues the State legislature and can dissolve the Assembly (Article 174), addresses it, gives assent to Bills and issues ordinances.
Discretion (Article 163). The Governor acts on ministerial advice except where the Constitution expects discretion, for example choosing a CM when no party has a clear majority, reserving a Bill for the President, or recommending President's Rule.
Governor vs President.
| Point | Governor | President |
|---|---|---|
| Chosen by | Appointed by President | Elected by electoral college |
| Removal | At the President's pleasure | Impeachment by Parliament |
| Oath given by | Chief Justice of State High Court | Chief Justice of India |
| Minimum age | 35 | 35 |
Commissions. The Sarkaria Commission (1983–88) and the Punchhi Commission (2007–10) recommended that Governors be detached from active politics and that the State be consulted on appointments.
Recent developments
- 23 Oct 2026: Om Prakash Mathur, earlier Governor of Sikkim, sworn in as the 29th Governor of Kerala by Kerala High Court Chief Justice Soumen Sen; his predecessor Rajendra Arlekar moved to Tamil Nadu (reshuffle of six Governors announced on 12 October).
- 20 Nov 2025: In its opinion on a Presidential Reference under Article 143, a five-judge Constitution Bench held that courts cannot set fixed timelines for Governors or the President to act on Bills and that "deemed assent" is alien to the Constitution, overruling the April 2025 Tamil Nadu ruling; Governors still cannot sit on Bills indefinitely.
Exam traps
- The Governor's oath is given by the State High Court Chief Justice (Article 159), not by the President or the Chief Justice of India.
- The five-year term is subject to the President's pleasure; there is no impeachment process for Governors.
- One Governor for two or more States came through the 7th Amendment, 1956.
- The Governor cannot return a Money Bill to the legislature; it can only be assented to, withheld or reserved.
- Lieutenant Governors and Administrators of Union Territories are covered by Article 239, not Articles 153–162.
Quick check
- Q: Which Article provides that the Governor holds office during the President's pleasure? A: Article 156.
- Q: Who administers the Governor's oath? A: Chief Justice of the State's High Court (Article 159).
- Q: Which Article lets a Governor issue ordinances? A: Article 213.
Sources
- https://legislative.gov.in/constitution-of-india/
- https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/judiciary-cannot-impose-timelines-on-president-and-governors-sc/print_manually
- https://www.moneylife.in/article/presidential-reference-supreme-court-says-no-timelines-for-governor-and-president-to-act-on-bills-no-deemed-assent/78898.html
In the news
Every time this topic has appeared in our current affairs, newest first:
- 26 October 2026Om Prakash Mathur sworn in as Governor of Kerala