🏛️ Ashim Kumar Ghosh Appointed Governor of Haryana | UPSC Current Affairs Blog
📅 Date: July 14, 2025
📰 Source: Rashtrapati Bhavan Press Release
📌 What’s the Update?
President Droupadi Murmu appointed Professor Ashim Kumar Ghosh as the new Governor of Haryana, replacing Bandaru Dattatreya, who served from July 7, 2021.
🔁 Other Appointments Announced:
| Post | Appointee | Replaces |
|---|---|---|
| Governor of Goa | Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju | P.S. Sreedharan Pillai |
| Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh | Kavinder Gupta | Successor not specified |
👤 Who is Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh?
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Veteran leader from West Bengal
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Joined BJP in 1991
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Served as State BJP President (West Bengal) from 1999 to 2002
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Known for organisational skills and academic contributions
His appointment is part of a broader reshuffle of gubernatorial roles, signaling a blend of political experience and administrative oversight.
📘 Constitutional Provisions (GS Paper II)
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| Article 155 | The Governor is appointed by the President |
| Article 156 | Holds office at the pleasure of the President |
| Article 163 | Governor acts on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers |
🔍 Role of the Governor in India
Though ceremonial, the Governor plays a key constitutional role in maintaining federal harmony and ensuring smooth state governance.
Key Functions:
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Assent to Bills, including withholding or reserving for the President
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Summoning, proroguing, and dissolving the State Legislative Assembly
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Discretion during hung assembly situations
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Report to the Centre under Article 356 in case of constitutional breakdown
🧠 UPSC Relevance
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Governance & Polity (GS II)
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Centre-State Relations
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Governor vs Elected Government
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Appointment, Tenure, Powers, and Role of Governors
📚 Previous Year UPSC Questions
🔹 Prelims 2019
Q. The Governor of a state can act independently of the advice of the Council of Ministers in which of the following situations?
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Appointment of Chief Minister when no party has majority
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Sending report under Article 356
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Dismissing a ministry
✅ Answer: All of the above
🔹 Mains 2021 – GS Paper II
Q. The role of Governors in ensuring cooperative federalism has come under scrutiny. Discuss with recent examples.
🧩 Mains Enrichment: Recent Examples
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Tamil Nadu & Kerala: Governor-Government standoffs over bills and NEET
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Punjab: Delays in assent to legislation
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West Bengal: Tensions over administrative jurisdiction
These instances highlight the importance of appointing experienced Governors like Prof. Ghosh who can balance constitutional duties with political neutrality.
🧾 Quick Revision Table
| Topic | Info |
|---|---|
| New Governor of Haryana | Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh |
| Previous Governor | Bandaru Dattatreya (2021–2025) |
| Appointed under | Article 155 of the Constitution |
| Party Affiliation | BJP (since 1991) |
| State of Origin | West Bengal |
📝 Mains Practice Question
Q. “The discretionary role of Governors has often clashed with democratic mandates of elected governments.” Critically analyze this statement with special reference to Article 163 and recent appointments. (250 words)
🔚 Conclusion
The appointment of Prof. Ashim Kumar Ghosh as the Governor of Haryana reflects the Centre’s approach to balancing political experience with constitutional roles. For UPSC aspirants, it's a reminder to focus on federalism, role of constitutional posts, and Centre-State dynamics — hot topics in GS Paper II and Essay Paper.
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