Updated: 19 September 2026
Articles 152, 153, 154 and 155 of the Constitution of India: State Governors and Executive Power
Articles 152 to 155 open Part VI of the Constitution of India and introduce the constitutional framework for the States. They deal with the meaning of "State" for Part VI, the office of Governor, the executive power of a State and the appointment of a Governor.
Article 152 - Definition
What Article 152 does: Article 152 supplies a special definition of the expression "State" for Part VI of the Constitution.
In this Part, unless the context otherwise requires, the expression "State" does not include the State of Jammu and Kashmir.
The provision is part of Chapter I, titled "General", of Part VI. The official text should be read together with the constitutional changes and the present constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir.
Article 153 - Governors of States
Meaning: Article 153 requires a Governor for each State. Its proviso permits the same individual to be appointed Governor of two or more States.
There shall be a Governor for each State:
Provided that nothing in this article shall prevent the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more States.
The proviso was added by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956. It enables a common Governor to serve more than one State without altering the constitutional requirement that the office of Governor exists for each State.
Article 154 - Executive power of State
Meaning: Article 154 vests the executive power of the State in the Governor. That power is exercised either directly or through officers subordinate to the Governor, in accordance with the Constitution.
Clause (1): The executive power of the State shall be vested in the Governor and shall be exercised by him either directly or through officers subordinate to him in accordance with this Constitution.
Clause (2): Nothing in this article shall (a) be deemed to transfer to the Governor any functions conferred by any existing law on any other authority; or (b) prevent Parliament or the Legislature of the State from conferring by law functions on any authority subordinate to the Governor.
Article 154 therefore identifies where State executive power is constitutionally vested while preserving statutory functions already assigned to other authorities and the legislative power to confer functions on subordinate authorities.
Article 155 - Appointment of Governor
Meaning: Article 155 prescribes the constitutional method by which a State Governor is appointed.
The Governor of a State shall be appointed by the President by warrant under his hand and seal.
Article 155 should be read with the succeeding provisions dealing with the Governor, including Articles 156, 157 and 158 on term, qualifications and conditions of office.