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Major reshuffle in Raj Bhavans: Ex-envoy Sandhu named Delhi LG, Tamil Nadu Governor Ravi moved to Bengal

March 05, 2026 5 min read Polity & Governance GS2 (Polity & Governance)
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What Happened

  • President Droupadi Murmu approved a major reshuffle of gubernatorial posts on March 6, 2026, affecting nine regions
  • Former Indian Ambassador to the US, Taranjit Singh Sandhu, appointed as the Lieutenant Governor of Delhi, replacing Vinai Kumar Saxena
  • R N Ravi, the controversial Tamil Nadu Governor, transferred as Governor of West Bengal, replacing C V Ananda Bose who resigned the same day
  • Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain (retd) appointed as Governor of Bihar
  • Kavinder Gupta appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh; Shiv Pratap Shukla moved to Telangana as Governor
  • Vinai Kumar Saxena transferred as Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh
  • The reshuffle also involved new governors for Nagaland and Maharashtra
  • Sandhu becomes the first Sikh Lieutenant Governor of Delhi

Static Topic Bridges

Governor — Constitutional Position (Articles 153-167)

The Governor is the constitutional head of a state, appointed by the President under Article 155 by warrant under his hand and seal. The Governor holds office during the pleasure of the President (Article 156), which means the Governor can be removed at any time without assigning reasons — there is no impeachment process. The Constitution (Part VI, Chapter II) outlines the Governor's executive, legislative, financial, and judicial powers.

  • Article 153: There shall be a Governor for each state (proviso allows one Governor for two or more states — 7th Amendment, 1956)
  • Article 155: Governor appointed by the President (on advice of Union Council of Ministers)
  • Article 156: Holds office during President's pleasure; term of 5 years (but can be terminated earlier)
  • Article 157-158: Qualifications — Indian citizen, minimum 35 years, not member of Parliament or state legislature, not hold office of profit
  • Article 161: Governor's pardoning power (cannot pardon death sentences or court-martial cases — unlike President under Article 72)
  • Article 163: Governor to act on aid and advice of Council of Ministers, except in discretionary matters
  • Sarkaria Commission (1988): Recommended that Governors should be eminent persons, detached from local politics; appointment should be in consultation with the Chief Minister
  • Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker (2016): SC held that Article 163 does not give Governor discretionary power to act against Council of Ministers' advice
  • BP Singhal v. Union of India (2010): SC held that the President's power to remove a Governor is not arbitrary; the change must not be whimsical or capricious

Connection to this news: The simultaneous transfer and appointment of multiple Governors illustrates the Centre's prerogative under Article 155-156, exercised through the "pleasure doctrine," which has been a recurrent source of Centre-State friction.

Lieutenant Governor of Delhi — Article 239AA

The National Capital Territory of Delhi has a unique constitutional status, governed by Article 239AA inserted by the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991. Unlike regular Union Territories, Delhi has an elected Legislative Assembly and a Council of Ministers, but the Lieutenant Governor (LG) remains the administrator representing the President.

  • Article 239AA inserted by: 69th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1991
  • Delhi Legislative Assembly: Can legislate on State List and Concurrent List subjects, except Entries 1 (public order), 2 (police), and 18 (land)
  • Council of Ministers: Not more than 10% of Assembly strength; aids and advises LG
  • LG's referral power: In case of disagreement with ministers, the LG refers the matter to the President (Article 239AA(4))
  • Government of NCT of Delhi v. Union of India (2018): SC held that the LG must act on the aid and advice of elected government; cannot be an "obstructionist"
  • 2023 Constitution Bench verdict: Reaffirmed elected Delhi government's control over services; but Parliament subsequently passed Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (Amendment) Act, 2023, creating the National Capital Civil Service Authority (NCCSA) with LG as chairperson
  • Other LG-administered UTs: Puducherry (also has legislature), Jammu & Kashmir (since 2019 reorganisation), Ladakh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep

Connection to this news: Sandhu's appointment as Delhi LG places him at the centre of the long-running governance tussle between the elected Delhi government and the Centre, a dynamic defined by Article 239AA's inherent tension between elected accountability and central control.

Centre-State Relations and the Role of Governors in Federal Tensions

The Governor's office has historically been at the centre of Centre-State disputes in India. The Sarkaria Commission (1988), the Punchhi Commission (2010), and multiple Supreme Court rulings have examined the balance between federal principles and the Union's role through Governors.

  • Sarkaria Commission (1988): Recommended that Governor should be a non-partisan person; not belong to the ruling party at the Centre; should be appointed after consultation with the Chief Minister
  • Punchhi Commission (2010): Recommended fixed 5-year tenure for Governors; removal only through Assembly resolution (not adopted); recommended that Governors' discretionary decisions be judicially reviewable
  • Recent controversies: Tamil Nadu (RN Ravi vs DMK government — delayed assent to bills); Kerala (Governor Arif Mohammed Khan vs LDF government); Punjab (Governor vs AAP government)
  • Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab (1974): SC held that the President and Governor are constitutional heads and must act on ministerial advice
  • Supreme Court ruling (2023): Governors cannot indefinitely withhold assent to bills passed by state legislatures; must act within a reasonable time
  • Article 200: Governor's powers regarding assent to bills — may assent, withhold assent, return for reconsideration, or reserve for President's consideration

Connection to this news: The transfer of RN Ravi from Tamil Nadu — where his tenure was marked by frequent confrontations with the DMK government over bill assent and public statements — reflects the political dimensions of gubernatorial appointments and transfers.

Key Facts & Data

  • Article 155: Governor appointed by President (on Union Council of Ministers' advice)
  • Article 156: Governor serves during President's pleasure; 5-year term but removable anytime
  • Article 239AA: Inserted by 69th Amendment (1991); Delhi's special LG + elected legislature structure
  • Delhi legislature: Cannot legislate on public order (Entry 1), police (Entry 2), and land (Entry 18)
  • Sarkaria Commission (1988): Recommended non-partisan Governors; consultation with CM for appointments
  • Punchhi Commission (2010): Recommended fixed tenure; removal only by Assembly resolution
  • Taranjit Singh Sandhu: First Sikh LG of Delhi; JNU alumnus; former Ambassador to the US
  • R N Ravi: 1976-batch IPS (Kerala cadre); counter-insurgency specialist; former interlocutor for Naga peace talks
  • Nine regions affected in this reshuffle (March 6, 2026)