Home The Constitution Part VI Article 156

Art. 156 Part VI: The States

Term of Office of Governor

Exact text — Constitution of India

(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.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article sets a nominal 5-year term for a Governor, but crucially, they hold office 'during the pleasure of the President' — meaning, in practice, the Union government can effectively have a Governor removed or replaced well before that 5-year term ends, without the elaborate impeachment-style process protecting other senior constitutional offices.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This 'pleasure' doctrine is why Governors are sometimes replaced when a new government comes to power at the Centre, or amid political disagreements — a Governor's tenure security is considerably weaker than a judge's or even the CAG's, reflecting the office's closer, more direct connection to the Union executive.

Read alongside this one

Art. 155 — Appointment of Governor

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 156

Can a Governor be removed at any time without any specific reason given?

In practice, yes — because they serve 'during the pleasure of the President' (effectively, the Union government), removal doesn't require the kind of formal misconduct finding or elaborate process protecting judges or the CAG, though courts have occasionally examined whether a removal was made in genuine bad faith.

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The text above reproduces Article 156 of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.