my-server
← Wiki Redirected from Governor of Tamil Nadu

List of governors of Tamil Nadu

The governor of Tamil Nadu is the constitutional head and the representative of the president of India. In the state of Tamil Nadu, the governor holds an important position in ensuring that the administration functions according to the constitution of India. They are appointed by the president and serve as the nominal executive authority of the state. The governor’s official residences are the Lok Bhavan, located in Chennai and Udhagamandalam. The governor performs various duties, such as giving assent to bills passed by the state legislative assembly, appointing the chief minister, and overseeing the constitutional functioning of the state government. Although the real executive power lies with the council of ministers headed by the chief minister, the governor plays a vital role in maintaining the constitutional framework and stability of the state administration.

The current incumbent is Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who has been serving as an additional charge since 12 March 2026.

Qualifications

and of the Constitution of India specify eligibility requirements for the post of governor. They are as follows:

A governor:

Traditionally, governors are not appointed to lead the states where they reside, although this is not stipulated in the constitution.

Powers and functions

The governor has:

  • Executive powers related to administration, appointments and removals
  • Legislative powers related to lawmaking and the state legislative assembly and
  • Discretionary powers are to be carried out according to the discretion of the Governor.

In his ex-officio capacity, the governor of Tamil Nadu is chancellor of the universities of Tamil Nadu as per the Acts of the Universities.

Oath

“I, _________________ (Name of the appointee), do swear in the name of God/solemnly affirm that I will faithfully execute the office of Governor (or discharge the functions of the Governor) of Tamil Nadu and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution and the law and that I will devote myself to the service and well-being of the people of Tamil Nadu.”

List

Key
  • Resigned
  • Died in office
  • Returned to office after a previous non-consecutive term
Development after independence

Madras State was a state in the Indian Republic, which was in existence during the mid-20th century as a successor to the Madras Province of British India. The state came into existence on 26 January 1950 when the Constitution of India was adopted and included the present-day Tamil Nadu and parts of neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Keralam.

Change in nomenclature

On 18 July 1967, the state legislative assembly unanimously adopted a resolution recommending that the state government take the necessary steps to secure an amendment to the Constitution of India aimed at changing the name of Madras State to Tamil Nadu. Consequently, the Madras State (Alteration of Name) Act, 1968 (Central Act 53 of 1968), was enacted by the Parliament of India and came into effect on 14 January 1969.

See also

References

External links