What is the tenure of a Governor in an Indian state?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: B
Explanation
Correct Answer
5 years
Explanation
Under Article 156 of the Constitution of India, a Governor is appointed for a normal term of 5 years from the date on which they enter upon their office. However, this tenure is subject to a crucial constitutional caveat: the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President. This means that the President can remove the Governor from office at any time before the completion of the 5-year term without assigning any formal reason.
The Governor acts as the nominal executive head of a state and serves as a vital constitutional link between the Central Government and the State Government. Because the office is held at the pleasure of the President (who acts on the advice of the Prime Minister and the Union Council of Ministers), there is no security of tenure. A Governor can also resign at any time by addressing a resignation letter to the President, or their term can be extended until a successor assumes charge.
The other options do not apply to the office of the Governor:
3 years is not a standard constitutional term for major heads of state in India.
6 years is the tenure fixed for members of the Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Councils.
Until retirement applies to the judiciary (Supreme Court and High Court judges) rather than political-constitutional appointments.
Key Points
Article 153 of the Constitution mandates that there shall be a Governor for each State, though a single person can be appointed as Governor for two or more states simultaneously.
To be eligible for appointment as a Governor, a person must be a citizen of India and must have completed the age of 35 years.
The Governor enjoys several executive, legislative, judicial, and discretionary powers, including the power to grant pardons and the formal appointment of the Chief Minister.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: Which article of the Indian Constitution states that the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President?
Answer: Article 156(1).
Question: Who administers the oath of office to a newly appointed state Governor?
Answer: The Chief Justice of the respective State High Court (or in their absence, the senior-most judge of that court).