TopKaro
हिंदी
Log in

Add TopKaro to your iPhone

  1. Tap the Share button at the bottom of Safari
  2. Scroll and tap Add to Home Screen
  3. Tap Add — TopKaro appears on your home screen

iPhones don’t allow a one-tap install button, so we show these steps instead.

The Governor of Rajasthan

The head of the State's executive, appointed by the President: the articles on the office, the Governor's powers, the change from Rajpramukh in 1956, Rajasthan's Governors and the Governor's other roles.

⏱ 7 min read✓ Facts checked 23 October 2026

Contents

At a glance

  1. Removal: the Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President (Article 156), so only the President can remove him; the Chief Minister cannot.
  2. RPSC: the Governor appoints the Chairman and members (Article 316); only the President can remove them (Article 317): for misbehaviour after a Supreme Court inquiry, or by order for insolvency, outside paid work or infirmity of mind or body.
  3. Rajpramukh to Governor: on the States Reorganisation Commission's recommendation the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act abolished the Rajpramukh from 1 November 1956. Gurumukh Nihal Singh was appointed the first Governor on 25 October 1956 and took office on 1 November 1956.
  4. Executive action is taken in the Governor's name (Article 166), but he acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, except where he must act in his discretion (Article 163).

The office: Articles 153 to 160

ArticleWhat it says
153A Governor for each State; the proviso added by the Seventh Amendment (1956) lets one person be Governor of two or more States
155Appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal
156Term of five years from the day he enters office; he may resign in writing to the President, and stays in office until his successor enters office
157Eligibility: a citizen of India who has completed 35 years of age
158Not a member of Parliament or of a State Legislature (a member who is appointed vacates the seat on taking office); holds no other office of profit; official residence without rent; emoluments cannot be reduced during the term
160The President may provide for the Governor's functions in any contingency the Chapter does not cover

Executive powers

ArticleProvision
154The executive power of the State is vested in the Governor, used directly or through officers subordinate to him
161Grants pardons, reprieves, respites and remissions, and suspends, remits or commutes sentences, for offences against laws on matters within the State's executive power
163(2), (3)His decision on whether a matter is one for his discretion is final; what advice the Ministers gave him cannot be inquired into in any court
164(1)Appoints the Chief Minister, and the other Ministers on the Chief Minister's advice; the Ministers hold office during his pleasure
165Appoints the Advocate General, who holds office during his pleasure
166(3)Makes the rules of business of the State Government and allocates that business among the Ministers
167The Chief Minister must tell him all decisions of the Council of Ministers and proposals for laws, and give the information he asks for

The Council of Ministers under Articles 163 to 167 (its size, responsibility to the Assembly and the six-month rule) is on the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers page.

Legislative and financial powers

ArticleProvision
174Summons the House, prorogues it and dissolves the Legislative Assembly
175, 176May address the House and send it messages; must address the Assembly at the start of the first session after each general election and of the first session of each year
192Decides whether a member has become disqualified on a ground in Article 191(1) (not defection, which the Speaker decides), after obtaining the Election Commission's opinion and acting on it
200A passed Bill goes to the Governor, who assents, withholds assent or reserves it for the President. He may return a Bill (not a Money Bill) for reconsideration; if passed again he cannot withhold assent. He must reserve a Bill that would endanger the position of the High Court
201The President assents to a reserved Bill or withholds assent
202Has the annual financial statement (the budget) laid before the House each year
213Ordinance: when the Assembly is not in session and he is satisfied that immediate action is needed, he may promulgate an ordinance with the force of an Act of the Legislature. It must be laid before the Assembly, ends earlier if the Assembly disapproves it, and he may withdraw it at any time

Immunity and President's Rule

  • Article 361: the Governor is not answerable to any court for the powers and duties of his office; no criminal proceedings can be started or continued against him, and no court can issue process for his arrest or imprisonment, during his term.
  • Article 356: the President may proclaim President's Rule on the Governor's report, or otherwise, when the State's government cannot be carried on according to the Constitution.
President's RuleGovernor when proclaimedGovernor when revoked
1967SampurnanandHukum Singh
1977Justice Vedpal Tyagi (in charge)Raghukul Tilak
1980Raghukul TilakRaghukul Tilak
1992-93M. Chenna ReddyBali Ram Bhagat

The dates of the four spells and the Chief Ministers before and after each are on the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers page.

Rajpramukh and Governors of Rajasthan

WhoFact
RajpramukhSawai Man Singh of Jaipur, 30 March 1949 to 31 October 1956
First GovernorGurumukh Nihal Singh, 1 November 1956 to 15 April 1962
First woman GovernorPratibha Patil, 8 November 2004 to June 2007, the first woman in the official list of Governors; she then became President of India
Other women GovernorsPrabha Rau (December 2009 to April 2010) and Margaret Alva (May 2012 to August 2014)
Governor as of 23 October 2026Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde, in office since 31 July 2024

Kamla Beniwal is not in the official list of Rajasthan's Governors. The Governor's residence and office in Jaipur, Raj Bhavan, was renamed Lok Bhavan in December 2025. The unions and Rajpramukhs before 1956 are on the integration of Rajasthan page.

Chancellor of universities and the Governor's Relief Fund

UniversityHead
State universities set up by Rajasthan ActsThe Governor is the Chancellor by virtue of his office: head of the University, presiding at its convocations
Private universitiesThe Chancellor is appointed by the university's sponsoring body, with the approval or consent its own Act requires
Governor's Relief FundFacts
Formed14 March 1973 (not 1975), under the Governor's Relief Fund Regulations, 1973
UsesHelp in famine and scarcity areas; fire, flood and accidents; epidemics, excess rain, locusts and hail (crop loss, medicines and equipment); any other urgent need the Governor thinks fit
IncomeDonations from any person, institution or body; interest on the fund's deposits; any other lawful contribution
SpendingBy the prescribed procedure, as the Governor orders and directs

Remember: often mixed up

  • Oaththe Governor takes his before the Chief Justice of the High Court, or the senior-most Judge available (Art. 159) · he gives the Ministers their oaths of office and secrecy (Art. 164(3)).
  • Six weeks · six monthsan ordinance lapses six weeks after the Assembly reassembles (Art. 213) · no more than six months may pass between the last sitting of one session and the first of the next (Art. 174).
  • Chancellor · Visitorthe Governor is Chancellor of the state universities · the President of India is Visitor of the central universities (Central Universities Act, 2009).

Test yourself: asked in exams

CET Senior Secondary Level 2024 · Q42

Who can remove the Governor of a State? (Choose the most appropriate option from below:)

  1. (1)Chief Justice of India
  2. (2)Chief Minister
  3. (3)President
  4. (4)Prime Minister
Show answer

✓ (3) President

See the full paper

Protection Officer 2022 · Q17

Consider the following statements regarding Article 200 of the Constitution of India : I. The Bill passed by the Legislative Assembly is presented to the Governor. II. The Governor shall declare either that he assents to the Bill or that he withholds assent therefrom. III. The Governor assents to the Bill or withholds assent or reserves it for the consideration of the President. Select the correct answer using the code : Code :

  1. (1)Only I is correct.
  2. (2)Only I and II are correct.
  3. (3)Only II is correct.
  4. (4)I, II and III are correct.
Show answer

✓ (4) I, II and III are correct.

See the full paper

Protection Officer 2022 · Q24

Consider the following statements : I. According to Article 163 there shall be Council of Ministers to aid and advice the Governor. II. According Article 164(1) the Chief Minister shall be appointed by the Governor. III. According Article 164(1), the Ministers shall hold office during the pleasure of the Governor. Select the correct answer using the code. Code :

  1. (1)Only I is correct.
  2. (2)Only II is correct.
  3. (3)Only I and III are correct.
  4. (4)I, II and III all are correct.
Show answer

✓ (4) I, II and III all are correct.

See the full paper

RAS Prelims 2023 · Q32

Consider the following statements regarding Rajasthan Public Service Commission : (i) The chairman and members of the commission are appointed by the Governor of Rajasthan. (ii) The chairman or any other member of the commission shall only be removed from his office, by order of the President.

  1. (1)Neither (i) nor (ii) is correct.
  2. (2)Both (i) and (ii) are correct.
  3. (3)Only (ii) is correct.
  4. (4)Only (i) is correct.
Show answer

✓ (2) Both (i) and (ii) are correct.

See the full paper

CET Senior Secondary Level 2024 · Q48

Chairman of Rajasthan Public Service Commission is appointed by which one of the following?

  1. (1)Chief Minister
  2. (2)Governor
  3. (3)Chief Justice of High Court
  4. (4)Chairman UPSC
Show answer

✓ (2) Governor

See the full paper

RAS Prelims 2024 · Q28

Which of the following statement is not correct regarding the Governor of Rajasthan ?

  1. (1)On the basis of the recommendation of the States Reorganisation Commission, the institution of Rajpramukh was abolished.
  2. (2)The institution of Rajpramukh was abolished by the 7th Constitutional amendment.
  3. (3)Gurumukh Nihal Singh was appointed as the first Governor of Rajasthan on 1st November, 1956 AD.
  4. (4)Haribhau Kisanrao Bagde assumed the office of the Governor of Rajasthan on 31st July, 2024.
Show answer

✓ (3) Gurumukh Nihal Singh was appointed as the first Governor of Rajasthan on 1st November, 1956 AD.

See the full paper

CET Graduation Level 2024 · Q21

Who among the following was the first woman Governor of the state of Rajasthan?

  1. (1)Kamla Beniwal
  2. (2)Pratibha Patil
  3. (3)Prabha Rau
  4. (4)Margret Alva
Show answer

✓ (2) Pratibha Patil

See the full paper

BSTC 2026 (shift I) · Q91

Identify the Governor of Rajasthan during whose tenure President’s Rule under Article 356 was only proclaimed, NOT revoked -

  1. (1)Raghukul Tilak
  2. (2)Hukum Singh
  3. (3)M. Chenna Reddy
  4. (4)Bali Ram Bhagat
Show answer

✓ (3) M. Chenna Reddy

See the full paper

CET Graduation Level 2022 · Q69

The Governor of Rajasthan is the ex-officio Chancellor of -

  1. (1)All the State Universities as well as all the Central Universities working in the territory of Rajasthan.
  2. (2)All the State as well as Private Universities of Rajasthan.
  3. (3)All the State Universities of Rajasthan.
  4. (4)All the State and Private Universities as well as Central Universities working in the territory of Rajasthan.
Show answer

✓ (3) All the State Universities of Rajasthan.

See the full paper

Protection Officer 2024 · Q55

Consider the following statements - (I) Governor's Relief Fund was constituted in 1975 in Rajasthan. (II) The Governor's Relief Fund is spent as per the prescribed procedure as per the orders and instructions of His Excellency the Governor. Choose the correct option -

  1. (1)Only (II) is correct.
  2. (2)Both (I) and (II) are correct.
  3. (3)Only (I) is correct.
  4. (4)Neither (I) nor (II) is correct.
Show answer

✓ (1) Only (II) is correct.

See the full paper

RAS Prelims 2023 · Q29

Which of the following recommended the post of Rajpramukh to be abolished in Rajasthan and the arrangement of the Governor was made instead ?

  1. (1)State Legislative Assembly
  2. (2)Constituent Assembly
  3. (3)State Reorganization Commission
  4. (4)State Administrative Reforms Commission
Show answer

✓ (3) State Reorganization Commission

See the full paper

Done reading? Now practise

Test yourself on this topic with free practice questions.

Practice questions →
Next topic:Chief Minister and Council of Ministers →