Part VI - The States • Article

Article 157 Simplified: Qualifications for appointment as Governor

Article 157 sets out the basic qualifications a person must meet to be appointed as a Governor. The candidate must be a citizen of India and must have completed the age of thirty-five years. There are no educational or residency requirements in the text.

Official Text

No person shall be eligible for appointment as Governor unless he is a citizen of India and has completed the age of thirty-five years.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

To be a Governor, you only need to meet two simple rules: you must be a citizen of India, and you must be at least 35 years old.

Student Mode

Prescribes the two essential qualifications for the office of Governor: (1) must be a citizen of India, and (2) must have completed the age of 35 years. Unlike other offices, the Constitution does not mandate a requirement of being qualified to be elected to any legislature, leaving the selection highly flexible.

Example

An Indian citizen who is 40 years old is legally eligible to be appointed as a Governor, whereas a 30-year-old citizen or a foreign national is disqualified.

Key Takeaway

To be appointed as a Governor, a person must be an Indian citizen and at least 35 years old.

FAQs

Are there any residency requirements to be a Governor?

No residency requirement is mentioned in the Constitution. However, the Sarkaria Commission recommended the convention that a Governor should be an 'outsider' (not a resident of the state they are appointed to) to avoid local political bias.

Can a non-citizen or person under 35 be appointed as Governor?

No, these are absolute constitutional barriers under Article 157.

Quiz

What is the minimum age required to be appointed as a Governor under Article 157?

Answer: 35 years

Which of the following is a mandatory qualification listed under Article 157?

Answer: Must be a citizen of India