Formerly Known as Rajpramukh:

• The Governor of Rajasthan was previously known as Rajpramukh until 1956.

Constitutional Provisions:

1. Article 153: The post of Governor is provided for in each state of India.
2. 7th Amendment (1956): A Governor can be appointed for two or more states.

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Qualifications for Governor (Article 157):

• Citizenship: Must be a citizen of India.
• Age: Must be at least 35 years old.
• Membership: Should not be a member of Parliament or any State Legislature.
• Employment: Should not be holding a government or profit-making post.

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Selection and Appointment (Article 155):

• Selection: By the Central Government.
• Appointment: The President appoints the Governor as per the direction of the Central Government.

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Oath of Office:

• The Chief Justice of the High Court administers the oath.
• If the Chief Justice is unavailable, the senior-most judge of the High Court takes the oath.
• The Governor pledges to "preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the laws".

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Tenure:

• Standard Tenure: 5 years.
• The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President (Article 156).
• Note: The Constitution does not specify provisions for the premature removal of the Governor.

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Salary:

• Monthly Salary: ₹3.5 lakh.

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Role and Powers of the Governor:

1. Executive Powers:

• Appointments:
  • Chief Minister & Council of Ministers, Advocate General, RPSC Chairman and Members, Vice-Chancellor, Lokayukta, State Election Commissioner, Chairman and Members of the Human Rights Commission.
• Judicial Powers:
  • Advises the President on High Court judges' appointments.
• Administration:
  • Makes rules for state administration (Article 166(2)).
  • Appoints tribal welfare ministers in states like Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Orissa.

2. Legislative Powers:

• Session Control: Summon and prorogue the state legislature session.
• Nominations: Nominates 1/6 members to the Legislative Council.
• Bill Approval: Approves bills under Article 200.
• Ordinances: Issues ordinances under Article 213 (valid for a maximum of 6 months and 6 weeks).
• Laying Reports: Submits various reports in the Legislative Assembly (e.g., State Finance Commission, RPSC, CAG).

3. Financial Powers:

• Money Bill: Grants assent to Money Bills.
• Finance Commission: Constitutes the State Finance Commission (under Articles 243 I and Y).

4. Judicial Powers:

• Pardon Powers: Commutation, remission, or reprieve of punishments under Article 161.
• Judicial Appointments: Advises the President on High Court judges’ appointments and appoints District Judges under Article 233.
• Note: The Governor does not have the same powers as the President regarding the death penalty or court martial.

5. Self-Discriminatory Powers (Article 163):

• President's Approval: Sends bills for the President's approval (Article 201).
• Recommendation for President’s Rule: Can recommend the imposition of President’s Rule in the state (Article 356).
• Chief Minister Appointment: Appoints the Chief Minister in case of no clear majority.
• Dissolution: Premature dissolution of the Legislative Assembly (Article 174).

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Commissions Related to the Governor:

1. Sarkaria Commission (1983):
   • Governor should be from outside the state.
   • Governor should be appointed based on the Chief Minister's advice.
   • Provision for a permanent tenure for the Governor.
2. Punchhi Commission (2007):
   • Governor's appointment should be based on a committee’s recommendation, including the Prime Minister, Chairman of Lok Sabha, Home Minister, and Chief Minister.
   • Proposes impeachment in the Legislative Assembly for premature removal of the Governor.

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Important Facts About the Governor:

• Arbitrariness of the Governor: Stayed by a 5-judge Constitutional Bench headed by Chief Justice Balakrishnan.
• Related Committees:
  • First Administrative Reforms Commission (1966)
  • Rajamannar Committee (1969)
  • Bhagwan Sahay Committee (1970)
  • Sarkaria Commission (1983)
  • Venketchellaiya Commission (2000)
  • Punchhi Commission (2007)

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Notable Governors and Their Other Roles:

• First Governor of Rajasthan:

  • Gurmukh Nihal Singh.

• First Female Governor of Rajasthan:

  • Pratibha Patil.

• Governors Who Died in Office:

  • Darbara Singh
  • Nirmalchand Jain
  • Shilendra Kumar Singh
  • Mrs. Prabha Rao

• Governors with Parliamentary Experience:

  • Kalraj Mishra
  • Margaret Alva

• Governors Who Were Speaker of Lok Sabha:

  • Baliram Bhagat
  • Shivraj Patil
  • Sardar Hukam Singh

• Governors Who Were Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha:

  • Pratibha Patil

• Governors Who Were Speaker in Legislative Assemblies:

  • Darbara Singh

• Governors Who Were Former Chief Ministers:

  • Kalyan Singh (UP)
  • Madanlal Khurana (Delhi)
  • M. Chennaredy (Andhra Pradesh)
  • Vasantdada Patil (Maharashtra)
  • Sampoornanand (UP)
  • Gurmukh Nihal Singh (Delhi)

• Longest Tenure:

  • Gurmukh Nihal Singh.

• Women Governors:

  • Mrs. Pratibha Patil
  • Mrs. Prabha Rao
  • Mrs. Margaret Alva

• Judges Who Were Acting Governors:

  • Navrang Lal Tibrewal
  • Vedpal Tyagi
  • Milap Chand Jain
  • Swaroop Singh

• Shortest Time as Governor:

  • T.V. Rajeshwar.

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Famous Quotes on the Role of Governor:

• Sarojini Naidu: Called the governor a "bird in a gold cage".
• Vijaya Lakshmi Pandit: Described it as a "charm of salary".
• Pattabhi Sitaramayya: Called it a "guest hospitable".
• Margaret Alva: Called it a "headache".

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Important Articles Related to the Governor:

• Article 153: Provision for the Governor in each state.
• Article 154: The executive power of the state vests in the Governor.
• Article 155: Appointment of the Governor (by the President on the recommendation of the Central Government).
• Article 156: Term of office of the Governor (during the pleasure of the President).
• Article 157: Qualifications for the office of Governor.
• Article 158: Conditions for the office of the Governor.
• Article 159: Governor’s Oath.
• Article 161: Power of pardon.
• Article 163: Powers of the Governor.
• Article 213: Ordinance power.

Important Information about Governors of Rajasthan

1. Sawai Mansingh II

• Tenure: 31-03-1949 to 31-10-1956 - He was the Rajpramukh of the then United State of Rajasthan.
• Formerly Maharaja of Jaipur, the post of Rajpramukh was eliminated and replaced with the post of Governor.
• Known for the establishment of the Jaipur Cycle Scheme.
• Served on the Court of Banaras Hindu University.
• Chairman of the Indian Cycles Association (1961).
• Chairman of General Council of Mayo College, Ajmer.
• Patron of Jaipur Medical Association.

2. Shri Sardar Gurumukh Singh

• Tenure: 01-11-1956 to 15-04-1962 - First Governor of Rajasthan.
• First Governor of Rajasthan.
• Previously served as the Home Minister of Delhi.
• Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly.
• Shifted the Governor's residence from the Legislative Assembly to the Raj Bhavan.

3. Dr. Sampurnanand

• Tenure: 16-04-1962 to 15-04-1967
• Former Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh (1954–1960).
• Participated in the Independence Movement.
• Released the prisoners of Jaipur’s Laxmangarh Jail during his tenure.
• For the first time, the President's rule was imposed in Rajasthan during his term.
• Served as the Principal of Banaras Hindu University.
• Awarded the "Akshaya Prize" for his book on social reform.
• Appointed as the President of the All India Hindi Literary Conference (1940).
• Chairperson and patron of the Nagrik Pracharini Sabha.
• Principal of Izwar College (Bikaner) and Doongar College (Bikaner).
• Actively participated in the Satyagraha movement.
• Associated with Kashi Vidyapeeth, authored "International Law" and edited the magazine "Ekantha."
• Served as Education Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
• Held the position of Secretary in the Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee thrice.
• Minister of Home Affairs and Finance.

4. Shri Sardar Hukum Singh

• Tenure: 16-04-1967 to 19-11-1970
• Served as Chairman and Vice-Chairman of Lok Sabha (1962–1967).
• Published the magazine Stockholm News in 1951 in Delhi.
• Member of the Constitutional Assembly, Provisional Parliament, First, and Second Lok Sabha.
• Member and Chairman of the Interim Group.
• Participated in the National Congress session in Yanbu (1961).
• Chaired the delegation of the International Parliamentary Union (1962 in Sofia, Bulgaria; 1963 in Paris, France).
• Elected member of the Organizing Committee of the National Congress session for two years.
• Member of the SGPC (Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee).
• Participated in the Simon Commission protest in 1928.
• Secretary of the National Democratic Front.
• Member of the Folk Council associated with aiding flood-affected villages (1965).
• Authored two English books: The Sikh Cause and The Philosophy of Sikhism.
• Played an instrumental role in organizing Sikh Parades.

5. Justice Jagat Narayan (Charge)

• Tenure: 20-11-1970 to 23-12-1970
• Judge of the Rajasthan High Court.
• First Acting Governor of Rajasthan.

6. Shri Sardar Hukum Singh

• Tenure: 24-12-1970 to 30-06-1972

7. Shri Sardar Joginder Singh

• Tenure: 01-07-1972 to 14-02-1977
• Member of the Constitutional Assembly, Provisional Parliament, Lok Sabha, and Rajya Sabha.
• Secretary-General of the International Railway Association.
• First Governor to resign from the position voluntarily.
• Member of the People's Audit Committee and Development Committee.
• Member of the Agriculture Commission.
• Chairman of the Legislative Committee of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.
• He was Acting Governor before his tenure.

8. Justice Vedpal Tyagi (Charge)

• Tenure: 15-02-1977 to 11-05-1977
• Judge of the Rajasthan High Court.

9. Shri Raghukul Tilak

• Tenure: 12-05-1977 to 08-08-1981
• Served under the President's Rule in Rajasthan from April 1977 to June 1977.
• Member of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission from 1958 to 1960.
• Vice-Chancellor of the Agricultural University.
• Known for working with several prime ministers during his tenure.
• Resigned from the position of Governor as a form of protest against government policies.
• Nominated member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly.
• Actively participated in the Independence Movement.
• Secretary of the Provincial Congress Committee in Uttar Pradesh.
• Arrested during the Round Table Conferences.
• Member of the Rajasthan Public Service Commission.

10. Justice K.D. Sharma (Charge)

• Tenure: 08-08-1981 to 05-03-1982
• Officer in the Indian Foreign Service.
• Served as India's High Commissioner to Pakistan.
• Judge of the Rajasthan High Court.

11. Air Chief Marshal O.P. Mehra

• Tenure: 06-03-1982 to 04-01-1985

12. Justice P.K. Banerjee (Charge)

• Tenure: 05-01-1985 to 31-01-1985
• Judge of the Rajasthan High Court.

13. Air Chief Marshal O.P. Mehra

• Tenure: 31-01-1985 to 04-11-1985

12. Justice D.P. Gupta (Acting Governor)

• Tenure: 04-11-1985 to 19-11-1985
• Judge of the Rajasthan High Court.
• Served as Acting Governor of Rajasthan.

13. Shri Sunderlal Patwa

• Tenure: 15-10-1987 to 19-02-1988
• Former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh.
• Member of the Legislative Assembly.
• Known for his honesty and dedication.
• President of the National Co-operative Union of India.

14. Justice J.S. Verma (Acting Governor)

• Tenure: 20-11-1985 to 14-10-1987
• First Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court to serve as Acting Governor.
• Administered the oath of office to interim Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
• Chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission.
• Led a three-member commission for legal amendments after the 2012 Delhi gang-rape case.
• Served as the 27th Chief Justice of India.
• Former Chief Justice of Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh High Courts.
• Instrumental in preparing a "Charter for Justice" post the Gujarat riots in 2002.

15. Shri Sukhdev Prasad Verma

• Tenure: 20-02-1988 to 02-02-1989
• Member of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly and Cabinet Minister.
• During his tenure, Justice J.S. Verma served as Acting Governor when he was abroad for treatment.
• Actively participated in the Quit India Movement (1942).
• Member of the Indian Olympic Association and Uttar Pradesh Vidhan Parishad.
• Associated with welfare committees for Scheduled Castes and Tribes.

16. Justice Milap Chand Jain (Acting Governor)

• Tenure: 03-02-1990 to 13-02-1990
• Former Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court.
• Headed the Jain Commission investigating Rajiv Gandhi's assassination.
• Previously Chief Justice of Delhi High Court.
• Served as a Lokayukta for Rajasthan.

17. Prof. Devi Singh Chaturvedi

• Tenure: 14-02-1990 to 25-08-1991
• Founder and Chairman of Indian Institute of Physics and Laser Research.
• Member of Rajasthan Legislative Assembly.
• Played a key role in establishing the Indian National Council for Scientific Research in New Delhi and served as its Chairman.

18. Dr. Laxmi Narayan Sinha (Additional Charge)

• Tenure: 26-08-1991 to 04-02-1992
• Former Vice Chancellor of Delhi University.
• Served as Governor of Gujarat and Assam.
• Acted as an Additional Charge Governor in Rajasthan.
• Deputy Principal and Principal of Delhi University Colleges.
• Pro-VC of Banaras Hindu University.
• Associated with the Legislative Assembly of Haryana.

19. Dr. M. Chenna Reddy (Mary Chenna Reddy)

• Tenure: 05-02-1992 to 30-05-1993
• Former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh.
• Governor of Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Tamil Nadu.
• Actively participated in Telangana Movement.
• First Governor of Rajasthan to enforce President's Rule during his tenure.
• Resigned from the governorship to re-enter active politics.
• Held several ministerial portfolios in Andhra Pradesh.
• President of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research in 1953.
• One of the signatories against Telangana's merger with Andhra Pradesh in 1956.
• Member of the Public Accounts Committee and twice Chairman of the Estimates Committee.
• Served as Minister of Mines, Food, and Rehabilitation in the Union Cabinet.
• Governor of Pondicherry.

20. Shri Khurshid Alam Khan (Acting Charge)

• Tenure: 31-05-1993 to 29-06-1993
• Oversaw Presidential governance in Rajasthan.
• Member of the Legislative Assembly.
• Chairman of Bihar Vidhan Parishad.
• Participated in the Indian Independence Movement.
• Secretary-General of the Socialist Party of India.
• Governor of Haryana (1990-1995).
• Served as Union Minister of Urban Development in Morarji Desai's Cabinet.

21. Shri Bali Ram Bhagat

• Tenure: 30-06-1993 to 30-04-1998
• Published two journals during the Indian Independence Movement: Fate India and Voyage Star.
• Held several Union Ministerial portfolios: Planning, Defence, Foreign Trade, Petroleum, and Heavy Industries.
• Speaker of Lok Sabha.
• Member of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Annual Meetings.
• Former Governor of Himachal Pradesh.
• Published the Hindi fortnightly journal "Rashtranurag".

22. Shri Darbara Singh

• Tenure: 01-05-1998 to 24-05-1998 (Deceased)
• Chairman of Punjab Vidhan Parishad.
• Passed away while serving as Governor of Rajasthan.
• Death caused by cardiac arrest during a routine medical checkup.
• Former Chief Minister of Punjab.
• Member of the Legislative Assembly.

23. Shri N.L. Tibrewal (Acting Governor)

• Tenure: 24-05-1998 to 15-01-1999
• Former Acting Chief Justice of Rajasthan High Court.
• Chairman of the Rajasthan Bar Council.

24. Justice Anshuman Singh

• Tenure: 16-01-1999 to 13-05-2003
• Former Chief Justice of Allahabad and Rajasthan High Courts.
• Served as Acting Governor four times during his tenure.
• Recently passed away due to complications from COVID-19.
• Former Chairperson of the Rajasthan State Legal Services Authority.
• Governor of Gujarat.
• Advocate and legal expert.

25. Shri Nirmal Chandra Jain

• Tenure: 14-05-2003 to 22-09-2003 (Deceased)
• Member of the Indian Audit and Accounts Service.
• Passed away while in office.
• Member of the Legislative Assembly.
• Advocate General of Madhya Pradesh.

26. Shri Kailashpati Mishra (Acting Charge)

• Tenure: 22-09-2003 to 13-01-2004
• Participated in the Indian Independence Movement (imprisoned).
• Former Finance Minister of Bihar.
• Member of the National Self-Employment Association.

27. Shri Madan Lal Khurana

• Tenure: 14-01-2004 to 31-10-2004
• Former Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Information.
• Known as the "Lion of Delhi."
• Advocated for infrastructure development and governance reforms.
• Resigned from the position of Governor in protest of corruption in politics.

28. Shri T.V. Rajeshwar (Acting Charge)

• Tenure: 01-11-2004 to 07-11-2004
• Former officer of the Indian Police Service.
• Previously Deputy Director of the Intelligence Bureau.
• Held governorship positions in Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Sikkim.
• Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Honored with the Padma Vibhushan in 2002.
• Shortest tenure as Governor of Rajasthan.
• Former Lieutenant Governor of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Recognized for his administrative excellence.

29. Smt. Pratibha Patil

• Tenure: 08-11-2004 to 23-06-2007 (Resigned)
• Politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly.
• Became India's first female President (2007–2012).
• Recipient of the highest civilian award, Orden Mexicana del Águila Azteca (Order of the Aztec Eagle) by Mexico.
• Rajasthan’s first female Governor.
• Held ministerial roles in various departments in Maharashtra.
• Deputy Chairperson of the State Legislative Assembly.
• Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee.

30. Dr. A.R. Kidwai (Acting Charge)

• Tenure: 23-06-2007 to 05-09-2007
• An academic and political figure who served as Governor of Haryana, Bihar, Rajasthan, and West Bengal.
• Former Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC).
• Vice-Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University.
• Member of the Selection Board for Scientists Pool.
• Legislative Assembly member.
• Director of Jammu and Kashmir and Punjab National Banks.
• Honored for his contribution to education and public service.

31. Shri Shailendra Kumar Singh (Acting Charge)

• Tenure: 06-09-2007 to 23-07-2009; 09-07-2009 to 01-12-2009
• Former officer of the Indian Foreign Service.
• Passed away while in office.
• Chairman of Group 77 of the United Nations.
• Governor of Arunachal Pradesh.
• Additional Secretary and Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs.
• Deputy Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Commerce.
• UN Representative for India’s Mission.
• Professor of International Relations at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi.

32. Shri Rameshwar Thakur (Acting Charge)

• Tenure: 10-07-2009 to 22-07-2009
• Actively participated in the Quit India Movement.
• Governor of Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, and Andhra Pradesh.
• Former Lecturer at Siri College, Lucknow University.
• Professor in the Management Studies Department at Delhi University.
• Established national awards for patriotism and social justice.
• Chairman of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI).
• Former administrator and Director of Punjab National Bank.
• Member of the Special Rights Committee and Public Accounts Committee.

33. Smt. Prabha Rau (Acting Charge)

• Tenure: 03-12-2009 to 25-01-2010; 24-01-2010 to 26-04-2010
• Former Member of Parliament.
• Passed away while in office.
• Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly.
• Held positions as State Minister and Cabinet Minister in Maharashtra.
• Leader of the Opposition in Maharashtra.
• Governor of Himachal Pradesh (Additional Charge of Rajasthan).
• Held portfolios in Revenue and Cultural Affairs.

34. Shri Shivraj Patil (Acting Charge)

• Tenure: 28-04-2010 to 11-05-2012
• Former Union Minister for External Affairs.
• Served as Speaker of the Lok Sabha and recognized for parliamentary contributions (1992).
• Held the position of Minister of Home Affairs.
• Member of the Legislative Assembly.
• Administrator of Union Territory of Chandigarh.
• Longest-serving Acting Governor of Rajasthan.

35. Smt. Margaret Alva

• Tenure: 12-05-2012 to 07-08-2014
• First female Governor of Uttarakhand.
• Honored with "Jeanne Sauvé Award" for her social contributions.
• Received national accolades for advocating women’s empowerment.
• Governor of Goa and Gujarat.
• Promoted the declaration of "Year of the Girl Child" in 1987.

36. Shri Ram Naik (Acting Charge)

• Tenure: 08-08-2014 to 03-09-2014
• Former Union Minister for Oil and Parliamentary Affairs.
• Served as Governor of Uttar Pradesh.
• Member of the Legislative Assembly.
• Experienced parliamentarian and key figure in governance.

37. Shri Kalyan Singh

• Tenure: 04-09-2014 to 09-09-2019
• Twice served as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
• Chief Minister during the Babri Masjid demolition.
• Passed away in August 2021.
• Member of the Legislative Assembly.
• Recognized for his administrative contributions.

38. Shri Kalraj Mishra

• Tenure: 09-09-2019 to 30-07-2024 (Retired)
• Former Union Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises.
• Served three terms as a Member of the Legislative Assembly.
• Governor of Himachal Pradesh.
• Member of Uttar Pradesh Legislative Council and Public Accounts Committee.
• Authored several works, including "Fufaji Mein Hun" and "Hindutva: Ek Jeevan Shailee."
• Held portfolios in Public Works, Medical Education, and Tourism.

39. Shri Ghulam Hassan Kilmargo Bagro (Upcoming)

• Tenure: From 31-07-2024 (Continuous)
• 45th Governor of Rajasthan.
• Former Chairman of the Maharashtra Legislative Council (2014).
• Twice served as a minister in Maharashtra.