What is Article 156 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 156: Term of office of Governor (1) The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President. (2) The Governor may, by writing under his
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Article Number

156

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Part VI – The States

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Bare Acts Text

Article 156: Term of office of Governor

  • (1) The Governor shall hold office during the pleasure of the President.
  • (2) The Governor may, by writing under his hand addressed to the President, resign his office.
  • (3) Subject to the foregoing provisions of this article, a Governor shall hold office for a term of five years from the date on which he enters upon his office:
  • Provided that a Governor shall, notwithstanding the expiration of his term, continue to hold office until his successor enters upon his office.
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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 156 of the Indian Constitution outlines the term of office for the Governor of a state. The Governor’s appointment is made by the President of India and holds office at the pleasure of the President. This means the President can remove the Governor at any time without needing to give a reason. However, in practice, this power is usually exercised based on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The Governor can resign from the position by submitting a written notice to the President. This provision ensures a clear process for both appointment and resignation of the Governor, maintaining a balance between state and central powers. The article specifies that the Governor’s term lasts for five years from the date of taking office. However, there is an exception: even after the five-year term ends, a Governor continues to serve until a successor is appointed and takes office. This arrangement prevents any gap in governance and ensures continuity. The Governor plays a key role in the state’s administration, acting as a link between the state government and the central government. This article provides stability in governance by establishing clear guidelines for the Governor’s term. Real-world implications of Article 156 can be seen in various political scenarios. For instance, when a government loses majority support in the assembly, the Governor can call for a new assembly election or invite another party to form the government. The Governor’s role can be contentious, especially in politically unstable states, highlighting the importance of this article in shaping state politics. By clearly defining the tenure and responsibilities of the Governor, Article 156 ensures that the state’s executive is well-structured and accountable to both the President and the people of the state.

Historical Context

The Governor’s appointment is made by the President of India and holds office at the pleasure of the President. This means the President can remove the Governor at any time without needing to give a reason. However, in practice, this power is usually exercised based on the advice of the Council of Ministers. The Governor can resign from the position by submitting a written notice to the President. Article 156 of the Indian Constitution outlines the term of office for the Governor of a state. This provision ensures a clear process for both appointment and resignation of the Governor, maintaining a balance between state and central powers.

Key Features

– The Governor holds office at the pleasure of the President.
– A Governor can resign by writing to the President.
– The term of office for a Governor is five years.
– A Governor continues until a successor is appointed.
– The article ensures continuity in state governance

Importance & Impact

– Article 156 establishes the framework for appointing Governors in states.
– It clarifies the process for a Governor’s resignation from office.
– This article ensures no gaps in governance after a Governor’s term ends.
– It allows the President to remove a Governor based on advice.
– The role of the Governor is critical in maintaining state administration.

Sample UPSC Question

Which of the following statements is true regarding Article 156 of the Indian Constitution? A) The Governor’s term is fixed for ten years. B) The President can remove a Governor without reason. C) A Governor can only resign with the cabinet’s approval. D) A Governor’s term can extend indefinitely. Choose the correct option.? Analyze these options carefully in light of the constitutional distribution of legislative and executive powers.

Answer

The correct answer is B. Article 156 states that the Governor holds office at the pleasure of the President, which means the President can remove the Governor without giving any reason. This reflects the authority vested in the President regarding state governance.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 156 defines the term of office for Governors.
✓ Governors can resign by notifying the President
✓ The President has the power to remove Governors.
✓ Governors serve for five years but can continue longer.
✓ This article ensures stability in state governance

FAQs

Article 156 of the Indian Constitution outlines the term of office for the Governor of a state. The Governor’s appointment is made by the President of India and holds office at the pleasure of the President. This means the President can remove the Governor at any time without needing to give a reason.

However, there is an exception: even after the five-year term ends, a Governor continues to serve until a successor is appointed and takes office. This arrangement prevents any gap in governance and ensures continuity. The Governor plays a key role in the state’s administration, acting as a link between the state government and the central government.

For instance, when a government loses majority support in the assembly, the Governor can call for a new assembly election or invite another party to form the government. The Governor’s role can be contentious, especially in politically unstable states, highlighting the importance of this article in shaping state politics. By clearly defining the tenure and responsibilities of the Governor, Article 156 ensures that the state’s executive is well-structured and accountable to both the President and the people of the state.

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Pramod is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of StudyHub. He holds a Master's degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology, alongside more than 7+ years spent building and verifying competitive exam content for Indian aspirants. He leads StudyHub's editorial process across Indian Polity, the Constitution, Indian Economy, History, Geography, Science, and the platform's other subject areas — checking every article against primary sources (bare act text and Gazette notifications for constitutional topics, government and Economic Survey data for economy content, standard reference material elsewhere) and flagging it for re-verification whenever a relevant amendment, policy, or data update makes an earlier version outdated.
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