Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi Appointed West Bengal Governor by President

The President of India appointed Tamil Nadu Governor R. N. Ravi as the new Governor of West Bengal. The development highlights the constitutional role and appointment mechanism of Governors in India.

Governor of a State:

Dimension	Key Details
Position	Nominal executive head of a state and an integral part of the state executive.
Appointment	Appointed by the President of India by warrant under his hand and seal.
Tenure	Normally five years but holds office at the pleasure of the President.
Removal	Removed by the President without assigning reasons and without any impeachment procedure.
Qualifications	Citizen of India at least 35 years of age and not holding any office of profit.
Legislative Membership Condition	Cannot be a member of Parliament or of a State Legislature.
Dual Role	Acts as constitutional head of the state and representative of the Union Government.
Article 153	Provides that there shall be a Governor for each state.
Article 154	Provides that the executive power of the state is vested in the Governor.
Article 155	Provides for appointment of the Governor by the President.
Article 156	Provides the tenure of the Governor.
Articles 157–158	Provide qualifications and conditions of office of the Governor.
Article 159	Provides oath or affirmation of office for the Governor.
Articles 160–162	Provide contingencies powers and extent of executive authority of the Governor.
Articles 200–201	Provide powers related to assent to bills and reservation of bills for the President’s consideration.
Article 213	Provides power of the Governor to promulgate ordinances when the legislature is not in session.
Executive Functions	Appoints the Chief Minister and Council of Ministers and ensures administration in accordance with the Constitution.
Legislative Functions	Summons prorogues and dissolves the Legislative Assembly and provides assent to bills or reserves them for the President.
Judicial Power	Provides power to grant pardons reprieves respites or commutations under Article 161.
Discretionary Role	Applies in situations such as hung assemblies constitutional breakdown or reservation of bills for the President.
Sarkaria Commission	Recommended appointment of eminent persons and consultation with the Chief Minister before appointment.
Punchhi Commission	Recommended fixed tenure and limitation of discretionary powers of the Governor.
Rajamannar Committee	Recommended reduction of Union interference through the office of Governor.
Key Supreme Court Judgments	Includes SR Bommai case on limits of recommending President’s Rule and Nabam Rebia case restricting interference in legislative matters.