The Appointment of Governors in India

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Key takeaways

President Droupadi Murmu reshuffled governors across 6 states in a recent administrative update.
Article 153 mandates a governor for each state, while the 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 allows one person to head multiple states.
The governor holds office during the pleasure of the president for a normal term of 5 years under Article 156.
Candidates for governor must be Indian citizens and at least 35 years of age according to Article 157 and Article 158.

President Droupadi Murmu recently carried out a major gubernatorial reshuffle across 6 states by transferring existing governors and appointing new heads of state.

The governor acts as the constitutional and titular head of an Indian state.
This office serves as an essential bridge between the central government and the state administration.
The governor exercises executive authority based on the aid and advice of the state council of ministers.

Article 153 mandates that every state must have its own governor.
The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 allows a single person to serve as governor for two or more states at the same time.
Article 155 states that the president appoints the governor by a warrant under their hand and seal.
Article 156 establishes that the governor holds office during the pleasure of the president, usually for a standard term of 5 years.
Article 157 and Article 158 specify the basic qualifications, requiring the candidate to be an Indian citizen and at least 35 years of age.

The governor appoints the chief minister and other ministers on the chief minister advice.
Important state officials like the advocate general, state election commissioner, and members of the state public service commission are also appointed by the governor.
The governor summons, prorogues, and holds the constitutional power to dissolve the state legislative assembly.
Under Article 200, the governor can grant assent, withhold assent, return bills for reconsideration, or reserve bills for the consideration of the president under Article 201.
Article 213 empowers the governor to issue ordinances when the state legislature is not in session, which carry the same force as regular laws.
The governor can recommend the imposition of President Rule under Article 356 if the constitutional machinery in the state breaks down.
The governor exercises special discretionary powers during hung assemblies to choose a leader who can form the government.