R.V. Arlekar appointed full-time Governor of Tamil Nadu by the President

12-10-2026 · English

Topics: Appointments · 12 October 2026 Current Affairs (UPSC / TNPSC / SSC / RRB)

News

Rashtrapati Bhavan announced on 12 Oct 2026 that Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, Governor of Keralam who was holding additional charge of Tamil Nadu, is now the full-time Governor of Tamil Nadu. He had taken oath as Tamil Nadu Governor (additional charge) at Lok Bhavan, Chennai on 12 March 2026. The previous Governor, R.N. Ravi, was moved to West Bengal. Om Prakash Mathur is the new Governor of Keralam.

Key facts

Background

• Constitution: Article 153 – a Governor for each State; the 7th Amendment (1956) lets one person be Governor of two or more States. Article 155 – the President appoints the Governor by warrant under his hand and seal.
• Article 156 – holds office during the pleasure of the President (normally 5 years); Article 157 – minimum age 35; Article 159 – oath given by the Chief Justice of the State High Court.
• Renaming: the Bill renaming 'Kerala' as 'Keralam' passed Parliament in August 2026 (Article 3, amending the First Schedule); in 1969 'Madras State' became 'Tamil Nadu'.
• Governors' residences have been renamed from 'Raj Bhavan' to 'Lok Bhavan'; Chennai's Lok Bhavan is at Guindy.

Tamil Nadu link: M. Fathima Beevi (1997–2001) was Tamil Nadu's first woman Governor – she was also the first woman judge of the Supreme Court (1989). In 'State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor of Tamil Nadu', the Supreme Court on 8 Apr 2025 used Article 142 to deem 10 pending Bills as assented to.

Source: ThePrint, Oneindia Tamil, 12 Oct 2026; WION, 12 Mar 2026

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