Constitution of India · Part VI: The States · The Governor
Article 156: Term of office of Governor
In plain words
The Governor holds office at the President's pleasure and can resign by writing to the President. Subject to this, the term is five years from taking office, and the Governor continues until a successor takes over.
A simplified explanation, prepared with AI assistance from the official text below and checked automatically against it for numbers and cross-references. The official text is the law and prevails over this summary. Not legal advice.
Official text
(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.
Source: India Code (Legislative Department), the official text of the Constitution of India. As amended up to the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023. Text as on 10 September 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the article 156
- Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India
- Nabam Rebia, and Bamang Felix v. Deputy Speaker and Others
- Supreme Court Advocates-On-Record Association and Another v. Union of India
- Manoj Narula v. Union of India
- Pratap Chandra Mehta v. State Bar Council of M.P. & Ors.
- Suraz India Trust v. Union of India and Anr.
- B.P. Singhal v. Union of India and Anr.
- State of U.P. and Anr. v. Girish Bihari and Ors.
- S.R. Bommai v. Union of India and Ors.