Governor of Rajasthan & State Executive

Detailed Index

Section Topic Exam Importance
1 State Executive & Constitutional Position of Governor โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
2 Key Constitutional Articles โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
3 Powers of Governor โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
4 Role of Governor โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
5 Governor in Rajasthan: Historical Perspective โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
6 Complete List of Governors (1956-Present) โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
7 Quick Revision Pointers โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

1. State Executive & Constitutional Position of Governor

Part 6 (Articles 152 to 237) of the Constitution mentions State Government. In this, Articles 153 to 167 describe the State Executive.

The State Executive mainly consists of four components:

  1. Governor โ€“ Constitutional/Nominal Head
  2. Chief Minister โ€“ Real Executive Head
  3. Council of Ministers
  4. Advocate General (Article 165)

Constitutional Position: Like the Centre, the parliamentary system of government has been adopted in the states. The Governor is the constitutional (De-Jure) head of the state, while the real executive powers are vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister. The role of the Governor is extremely important as he acts as a bridge between the Centre and the State and carries the responsibility of protecting the constitutional machinery in the state. The Constitution makers made the Governor the constitutional head of the state, who exercises nominal powers, while the real governance is in the hands of the Chief Minister and his Council of Ministers. This arrangement is inspired by the British parliamentary system, where the King/Queen is the nominal head and real powers are vested in the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.

2. Key Constitutional Articles

Article Subject Matter & Constitutional Provision
Article 152 Definition of State.
Article 153 Governors of States: There shall be a Governor for each State. (The 7th Constitutional Amendment 1956 added that the same person can be appointed as Governor of two or more States.)
Article 154 Executive Power of State: The executive power of the State shall be vested in the Governor and shall be exercised by him directly or through officers subordinate to him.
Article 155 Appointment of Governor: The Governor is appointed by the President by a warrant under his hand and seal. (This position is inspired by the Canadian model)
Article 156 Term of Office: The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President. Normally the term is 5 years. He can resign at any time by addressing the President.
Article 157 Qualifications for Appointment: 1. He must be a citizen of India. 2. He must have completed 35 years of age.
Article 158 Conditions of Office: โ€ข Shall not be a member of either House of Parliament or State Legislature. โ€ข Shall not hold any Office of Profit. โ€ข No disadvantageous change in salary and allowances during the term.
Article 159 Oath or Affirmation: The Governor is administered the oath by the Chief Justice of the concerned State High Court (or in his absence, the senior-most judge).
Article 160 Discharge of Governor's functions in contingencies (arrangement by the President).
Article 161 Pardoning Power: Power to pardon, reprieve, respite or remit punishment in matters of State List and Concurrent List.
Article 162 Extent of executive power of State.
Article 163 Council of Ministers to aid and advise the Governor, headed by the Chief Minister (except discretionary powers).
Article 164 The Governor shall appoint the Chief Minister and other Ministers on the advice of the Chief Minister. Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor.
Article 165 The Advocate General of the State shall be appointed by the Governor.
Article 166 Conduct of business of the State Government shall be in the name of the Governor.
Article 167 It shall be the duty of the Chief Minister to furnish information to the Governor regarding administrative and legislative matters.
Article 174 Power to Summon, Prorogue the sessions of the State Legislature and Dissolve the Legislative Assembly.
Article 175 Right of Governor to address and send messages to the House or Houses.
Article 176 Special Address by Governor: At the commencement of the first session after general elections and at the commencement of the first session of each year.
Article 200 Assent to Bills: To give assent, withhold assent, return for reconsideration (except Money Bill), or reserve for consideration of the President.
Article 201 Decision of the President on a Bill reserved for his consideration.
Article 213 Power to promulgate Ordinance: When the Legislature is not in session, the Governor can promulgate an Ordinance.
Article 217 Consultation with Governor by the President in the appointment of High Court judges.
Article 233 Appointment, posting and promotion of District Judges by the Governor in consultation with the High Court.
Article 333 Nomination of Anglo-Indian community in the Legislative Assembly (rendered ineffective by the 104th Constitutional Amendment 2019).
Article 356 Recommending President's Rule in case of failure of constitutional machinery in the State.

3. Powers of Governor

The powers of the Governor are divided into the following categories:

                          [Powers of Governor]
                                     โ”‚
      โ”Œโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ฌโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ผโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ฌโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”
      โ–ผ              โ–ผ               โ–ผ               โ–ผ              โ–ผ
Executive Powers  Legislative    Financial       Judicial      Discretionary
                  Powers         Powers          Powers        Powers

3.1 Executive Powers

Power Description
Conduct of Business All formal executive functions of the State Government are done in the name of the Governor (Art. 166).
Major Appointments Chief Minister & other Ministers, Advocate General (Art. 165), RPSC Chairman & Members, State Election Commissioner, State Human Rights Commission, State Chief Information Commissioner, Lokayukta.
Chancellor Governor is the ex-officio Chancellor of all state-funded universities and appoints Vice-Chancellors.
Report on Constitutional Machinery Sending report to the President under Article 356 in case of failure of constitutional machinery.

3.2 Legislative Powers

Power Description
Sessions Summoning, proroguing and dissolving the Legislative Assembly (Art. 174).
Special Address Addressing the Legislature after each new election and at the beginning of the first session each year (Art. 176).
Assent to Bills (Art. 200) 4 options: give assent, withhold assent, return for reconsideration, or reserve for President's consideration.
Ordinance (Art. 213) When the Legislature is not in session. Must be approved within 6 weeks of reassembly. Maximum duration: 6 months + 6 weeks.
Nomination in Legislative Council 1/6 of total members from literature, science, art, cooperative movement and social service. (Rajasthan currently has no Legislative Council)

3.3 Financial Powers

Power Description
Budget Presentation Annual Financial Statement (Budget) presented through Finance Minister (Art. 202).
Prior Consent for Money Bill Money Bill cannot be introduced without prior recommendation (Art. 199/207).
Demand for Grants No demand for grants can be approved without recommendation.
Contingency Fund Under the Governor's control; he can give advance for unforeseen expenditure.
State Finance Commission Constituted every 5 years to review financial position of Panchayats & Municipalities (Art. 243-I & 243-Y).

3.4 Judicial Powers

Power Description
Pardoning Power (Art. 161) Pardon, Reprieve, Respite, Remission, Commute. Difference from President: Governor cannot completely pardon a Death Sentence (only suspend, reduce or alter it); no power in Court Martial cases.
Consultation in Judges' Appointment President consults Governor in appointment of High Court judges (Art. 217).
Subordinate Courts Appointment, posting, promotion of District Judges in consultation with High Court (Art. 233).

3.5 Discretionary Powers

Article 163(1) provides for discretionary powers of the Governor. If a question arises whether a matter falls within the Governor's discretion, the Governor's decision is final (Art. 163(2)).

A. Constitutional Discretion

Power Description
Reserve Bill for President (Art. 200) Especially bills affecting High Court's powers or of national importance.
Recommend President's Rule (Art. 356) In case of failure of constitutional machinery.
Seek Administrative Information (Art. 167) From the Chief Minister.

B. Situational Discretion

Power Description
Appointment of CM in Hung Assembly Inviting the leader of the largest party or pre-election alliance.
Dismissal of Ministry on Loss of Confidence If the Ministry has lost majority and is not resigning.
Dissolution of Assembly If the Ministry is in minority and no alternative government is possible.

4. Role of Governor

The Governor plays a Dual Role in the Indian federal system:

                       [Dual Role of Governor]
                                   โ”‚
         โ”Œโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”ดโ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”€โ”
         โ–ผ                                                   โ–ผ
[Constitutional Head of State]                    [Representative/Agent of Centre]
 โ€ข Separate from real governance of state          โ€ข Holds office during pleasure of President
 โ€ข Acts on advice of Council of Ministers          โ€ข Bridge between Centre and State
 โ€ข Protector of democratic institutions            โ€ข Guardian of national unity & integrity

Committees & Commissions on Governor's Post

Commission Key Recommendations
Administrative Reforms Commission (ARC - 1966) Appointment of a person with long and impartial public life.
Sarkaria Commission (1983-87) Governor should be from outside the state; not active in local politics; mandatory consultation with CM before appointment; Art. 356 as last resort.
Venkatachaliah Commission (NCRWC - 2000-02) 5-year term should be secure; no transfer/dismissal without solid grounds.
Punchhi Commission (2007-10) Provision for impeachment by State Legislature; Governor should be freed from statutory duties of Chancellor of universities.

5. Governor in Rajasthan: Historical Perspective

5.1 Journey from Rajpramukh to Governor

Event Description
Rajpramukh Post At the time of independence and various stages of Rajasthan's integration, the head of the state was called 'Rajpramukh'.
30 March 1949 On formation of Rajasthan Union, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II of Jaipur was made life-long Rajpramukh (served till 31 October 1956).
7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 Abolished categories of states (A, B, C, D). Abolished 'Rajpramukh' post and created 'Governor' post.
1 November 1956 First Governor Sardar Gurumukh Nihal Singh assumed office.

5.2 Specific Facts About Rajasthan's Governors

Fact Details
Longest Tenure Sardar Gurumukh Nihal Singh (1 Nov 1956 to 16 April 1962 - 5 years 5 months). First Governor of Rajasthan.
Shortest Tenure Darbara Singh (1 May 1998 to 24 May 1998 - only 24 days; died in office).
Governors Who Died in Office (Total 4) 1. Darbara Singh (May 1998) 2. Nirmal Chandra Jain (September 2003) 3. Shailendra Kumar Singh (S.K. Singh) (December 2009) 4. Smt. Prabha Rao (April 2010)
Governors Who Resigned Madan Lal Khurana (2004 - to return to active politics); Smt. Pratibha Patil (2007 - to contest Presidential election)
Governor Who Was Dismissed Raghukul Tilak (dismissed by Central Government in 1981). Only Governor of Rajasthan to be dismissed.
Women Governors of Rajasthan (Total 3) 1. Smt. Pratibha Patil (First woman Governor: 2004-2007; later became India's first woman President) 2. Smt. Prabha Rao (2010; died in office) 3. Smt. Margaret Alva (2012-2014)
Governors Who Completed Full 5-Year Term 1. Sardar Gurumukh Nihal Singh (1956-1962) 2. Dr. Sampurnanand (1962-1967) 3. Kalyan Singh (2014-2019 - after almost 52 years)

5.3 President's Rule in Rajasthan (Article 356)

President's Rule has been imposed 4 times in Rajasthan:

No. Period Then Governor Then Chief Minister Special Circumstance
1. 13 March 1967 โ€“ 26 April 1967 (Shortest - 44 days) Dr. Sampurnanand (at imposition) / Sardar Hukum Singh (at removal) Mohanlal Sukhadia Hung Assembly after 4th Assembly elections.
2. 29 April 1977 โ€“ 22 June 1977 (54 days) Vedpal Tyagi (Acting) / Raghukul Tilak Haridev Joshi Dissolution of State Assembly by Janata Party government at Centre.
3. 16 February 1980 โ€“ 6 June 1980 (111 days) Raghukul Tilak Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Dismissal of non-Congress state governments by Congress government at Centre.
4. 15 December 1992 โ€“ 3 December 1993 (Longest - about 1 year) Dr. M. Chenna Reddy (at imposition) / Baliram Bhagat (at removal) Bhairon Singh Shekhawat Dismissal of state government after Babri Masjid demolition.

6. Complete List of Governors (1956-Present)

S.No. Name of Governor Term Start Term End Nature/Important Detail
1. Sardar Gurumukh Nihal Singh 01-11-1956 16-04-1962 First Governor of Rajasthan; Longest tenure.
2. Dr. Sampurnanand 16-04-1962 16-04-1967 First President's Rule (1967) during his tenure.
3. Sardar Hukum Singh 16-04-1967 19-11-1970 Former Lok Sabha Speaker.
โ€” Justice Jagat Narayan 20-11-1970 23-12-1970 Acting (then Chief Justice, Rajasthan High Court).
(3) Sardar Hukum Singh 24-12-1970 30-06-1972 Second term.
4. Sardar Joginder Singh 01-07-1972 15-02-1977 Resigned.
โ€” Justice Vedpal Tyagi 15-02-1977 11-05-1977 Acting; Second President's Rule (1977).
5. Raghukul Tilak 12-05-1977 08-08-1981 Only Governor dismissed by President.
โ€” Justice K.D. Sharma 08-08-1981 05-03-1982 Acting (Chief Justice).
6. Air Chief Marshal O.P. Mehra 06-03-1982 04-01-1985 Former Air Force Chief.
โ€” Justice P.K. Banerjee 05-01-1985 31-01-1985 Acting.
(6) Air Chief Marshal O.P. Mehra 01-02-1985 03-11-1985 Resumed office.
โ€” Justice D.P. Gupta 04-11-1985 19-11-1985 Acting.
7. Vasantrao Patil 20-11-1985 14-10-1987 Former Maharashtra CM; resigned.
โ€” Justice J.S. Verma 15-10-1987 19-02-1988 Acting (later became Chief Justice of India).
8. Dr. Sukhdev Prasad 20-02-1988 02-02-1990 โ€”
โ€” Justice J.S. Verma 14-10-1988 18-11-1988 Acting (during absence of Dr. Sukhdev Prasad).
โ€” Justice Milap Chand Jain 03-02-1990 13-02-1990 Acting.
9. Prof. Devi Prasad Chattopadhyay 14-02-1990 25-08-1991 Renowned philosopher & politician.
โ€” Swaroop Singh 26-08-1991 04-02-1992 Additional charge (Governor of Gujarat).
10. Dr. M. Chenna Reddy 05-02-1992 31-05-1993 Fourth President's Rule (1992) during his tenure.
โ€” Dhanik Lal Mandal 31-05-1993 29-06-1993 Additional charge (Governor of Haryana).
11. Baliram Bhagat 30-06-1993 01-05-1998 Former Lok Sabha Speaker.
12. Darbara Singh 01-05-1998 24-05-1998 First Governor to die in office; shortest tenure (24 days).
โ€” Justice Navrang Lal Tibrewal 25-05-1998 15-01-1999 Acting.
13. Justice Anshuman Singh 16-01-1999 13-05-2003 Former Judge of Gujarat High Court.
14. Nirmal Chandra Jain 14-05-2003 22-09-2003 Second Governor to die in office.
โ€” Kailashpati Mishra 22-09-2003 13-01-2004 Additional charge (Governor of Gujarat).
15. Madan Lal Khurana 14-01-2004 01-11-2004 Former Delhi CM; resigned.
โ€” T.V. Rajeshwar 01-11-2004 08-11-2004 Additional charge (Governor of UP).
16. Smt. Pratibha Patil 08-11-2004 21-06-2007 First Woman Governor of Rajasthan; resigned to become President.
โ€” Dr. A.R. Kidwai 21-06-2007 06-09-2007 Additional charge (Governor of Haryana).
17. Shailendra Kumar Singh (S.K. Singh) 06-09-2007 01-12-2009 Former Foreign Secretary; died in office.
โ€” Smt. Prabha Rao 02-12-2009 24-01-2010 Additional charge (Governor of Himachal Pradesh).
18. Smt. Prabha Rao 25-01-2010 26-04-2010 Second Woman Governor of Rajasthan; died in office.
โ€” Shivraj Patil 26-04-2010 12-05-2012 Additional charge (Governor of Punjab & former Home Minister).
19. Smt. Margaret Alva 12-05-2012 07-08-2014 Third Woman Governor of Rajasthan.
โ€” Ram Naik 08-08-2014 03-09-2014 Additional charge (Governor of UP).
20. Kalyan Singh 04-09-2014 08-09-2019 Former UP CM; First to complete full 5-year term after 1967.
21. Kalraj Mishra 09-09-2019 30-07-2024 Former Union Minister & former Governor of Himachal Pradesh; completed full term.
22. Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde 31-07-2024 Present Former Speaker of Maharashtra Legislative Assembly; 22nd full-time Governor of Rajasthan.

7. Quick Revision Pointers

Point Description
Constitutional Provisions Part 6, Articles 153 to 167 relate to State Executive.
Oath vs Appointment Appointment by President (Art. 155), Oath by Chief Justice of High Court (Art. 159).
Removal Process No provision for impeachment of Governor in Constitution; holds office during pleasure of President.
Maximum Ordinance Duration 6 weeks from reassembly of Assembly; if not summoned, maximum 6 months + 6 weeks.
President's Rule Record 4 times in Rajasthan (1967, 1977, 1980, 1992); shortest first (44 days), longest fourth (~1 year).
Died in Office 4 Governorsโ€”Darbara Singh, Nirmal Chandra Jain, S.K. Singh, and Prabha Rao.
Women Governors 3โ€”Pratibha Patil, Prabha Rao, and Margaret Alva.

Final Revision Table

Topic Key Point Exam Importance
State Executive Part 6, Articles 153-167 โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Governor Appointment Article 155, by President โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Governor Oath Article 159, by HC Chief Justice โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Governor Term Article 156, 5 years, pleasure of President โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Governor Qualifications Article 157, Citizen of India, 35 years โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Ordinance Power Article 213, 6 weeks/6 months+6 weeks โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Pardoning Power Article 161, no death sentence pardon โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
First Governor Sardar Gurumukh Nihal Singh โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
First Woman Governor Pratibha Patil โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Current Governor Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
President's Rule 4 times (1967, 1977, 1980, 1992) โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Longest Tenure Sardar Gurumukh Nihal Singh โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Shortest Tenure Darbara Singh (24 days) โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Died in Office 4 Governors โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Women Governors 3 (Pratibha Patil, Prabha Rao, Margaret Alva) โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Dismissed Governor Raghukul Tilak (1981) โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…
Full 5-Year Term Gurumukh Nihal Singh, Sampurnanand, Kalyan Singh, Kalraj Mishra โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…

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