The constitutional head state is the governor in whom the executive authority is vested. The Governor of the State is appointed by the Present of India. The qualifications for the appointment as a Governor are

1. Should be a citizen of India.
2. Should have completed the age of 35 years.
3. Should not hold any office of profit under the Government.
4. Should not be a Member of Parliament or State of Legislature.

Governor holds office for a period of 5 years.

Duties and Powers of Governor – The main function of the governor is to preserve, protect, maintain, and defend the constitution and the law. The duties and powers of the Governor are as given below-

1. Executive Power and Duties – As the Executive Head of State, Governor exercises powers similar to those of Union President.
   • The power of Governor is to appoint the council of ministers including the chief minister. He appoints other ministers on the advice of chief minister.
   • Governor also appoint high offices of the state such as advocate general, members of the state public service commission, and many more. He is also consulted by the Present while appointing judges of the State High Court.
   • He has power to ask chief minister to furnish any information of the state.
2. Legislature Powers and Duties – The constitution gives to the governor the following powers
   • The Governor is authorized to call the sessions of the state legislature. He is also empowered to prorogue either house and to dissolve legislative assembly.
   • The Governor has powers to nominate one member of the Anglo-Indian community to the assembly. He has also the power to nominate one-sixth of the members of legislature council.
   • The Governor addresses the legislative assembly or both houses assembled together at the commencement of the first session after each general election and also at the commencement of the first session every year.
   • The Governor gives assent or dissent to bill passed by the state legislature.
   • The Governor is empowered to promulgate ordinances when legislative assembly and legislature council are not in session.
3. Judicial Powers and Duties
   • The Governor has the power to grant pardons and to suspend the sentence of any individual.
   • The appointments postings and promotion of district judges are made by the Governor in consultation with the high court.
4. Discretionary Powers and Duties – The Governor can use these powers
   • When no political party gets a clear majority, governor can use his discertion in the selection of chief ministerial candidate to prove the majority as soon as possible.
   • The Governor can with hold his assent to a bill and send it to the Present for his approval.
   • The Governor may reports to the Present that Government of state  cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the constitution. As a result, the state would come under Present’s rule.
5. Financial Power and Duties – The Governor exercises the following powers
   • No money bill can be introduced except on the recommendation of the Governor.
   • Governor also causes to be laid before state legislature the annual financial statement, which is the state budget.
   • The state legislature may establish a constituency fund of the state to place at the disposal of the governor..