The Governor of a state
The Centre's appointee who is the constitutional head of a state and acts mostly on the Chief Minister's advice.
What the paper can ask
- Must be 35 or older; one person may be Governor of several states; continues until a successor is appointed.
- Can return a non-money bill once, reserve bills for the President and promulgate ordinances.
- Under Article 361 a Governor cannot be made to answer in court for official acts during the term.
- Has no military or diplomatic powers and no emergency role unless the President permits.
Latest
On 12 October 2026 six Governors were appointed, including Sudha Yadav for Karnataka, Dhal Singh Bisen for Uttarakhand, Dushyant Gautam for Sikkim and Braj Mohan Ram for Odisha.
Why exams ask
Appointment, discretionary powers, the first woman Governor and the latest appointments are the usual questions.
The full story
The Governor is the head of a state, appointed from the Centre and holding office during the pleasure of the appointing authority (nominally five years). The same person can be Governor of two or more states. The Governor appoints the Chief Minister and ministers, summons and dissolves the Assembly, assents to bills or reserves them for the President, can promulgate ordinances and grant pardons, and is Chancellor of most state universities.
In the news
Test yourself
1.The Governor of a State is appointed by
Correct. Article 155: the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal, and holds office during the President's pleasure (Article 156).
Not quite. Article 155: the Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal, and holds office during the President's pleasure (Article 156). It goes into your error book.