Home The Constitution Part VI Article 160

Art. 160 Part VI: The States

Discharge of the Functions of the Governor in Certain Contingencies

Exact text — Constitution of India

The President may make such provision as he thinks fit for the discharge of the functions of the Governor of a State in any contingency not provided for in this Chapter.

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article gives the President flexible power to address genuinely unforeseen contingencies affecting who performs a Governor's functions — a catch-all provision similar in spirit to Article 70's Union-level equivalent, ensuring state governance never lacks a functioning Governor-equivalent authority.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is a safety-valve provision ensuring gubernatorial functions can always continue even in unusual situations the Constitution's more specific provisions might not have anticipated — for instance, this has practically been used to have a neighbouring state's Governor temporarily handle another state's functions during a genuine gap.

Read alongside this one

Art. 70 — Discharge of President's Functions in Other Contingencies

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 160

Has this provision actually been used in practice?

Yes — it has been invoked on various occasions to arrange for temporary gubernatorial coverage, such as when a sitting Governor's term ends before a successor is ready to take office.

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The text above reproduces Article 160 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.