Previous Year Question

The Governor of a State is appointed by the President of India. Under Article 155 of the Constitution, the Governor is appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.

Therefore, the Governor is not elected by the people, the State Legislature or Parliament. Similarly, the Central Cabinet, Chief Justice of India or Speaker of the Lok Sabha is not constitutionally the appointing authority. The constitutional appointment is made by the President.

Under Article 153, there shall be a Governor for each State. The proviso to the same Article permits the same person to be appointed as Governor of two or more States.

Under Article 156, the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President. The normal term is five years, but completion of five years does not make the office independent of the President's pleasure. A Governor may also continue until the successor enters upon office.

To become a Governor, a person must be a citizen of India and must have completed 35 years of age. A Governor also cannot continue as a member of either House of Parliament or of a House of a State Legislature. These provisions institutionally separate the office of Governor from the State Legislature.