A Governor may be transferred from one state to another by the:

Since the Governor is appointed by the President and holds office during the President's pleasure, the President can transfer a Governor from one state to another. In practice, the President acts on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers.

Appointment and tenure:

• The Governor is appointed by the President under Article 155.
• He holds office during the pleasure of the President (Article 156).
• His normal term is five years, but he can be removed or transferred at any time.
• The Constitution does not lay down any grounds for his removal.
• A Governor whose term has ended continues in office until his successor enters upon office.

Governor of more than one state:

• The 7th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1956 allows the same person to be appointed Governor of two or more states.
• The President decides how the Governor's salary is shared among such states.

Judicial view on removal:

In the B.P. Singhal case (2010), the Supreme Court held that the "pleasure doctrine" is not unlimited.

A Governor cannot be removed only because his views differ from those of the Union government or because the party in power has changed.

The removal must be for valid reasons and is subject to limited judicial review.

Recommendations of commissions:

• The Sarkaria Commission recommended that a Governor should not be removed before completing his term, except for compelling reasons.
• The Punchhi Commission recommended that the phrase "during the pleasure of the President" should be deleted and that Governors should be removed only by a resolution of the state legislature.

Role of the Governor:

• He is the constitutional head of the state.
• He acts as a link between the Union and the state.
• He can reserve state bills for the President's consideration.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Prime Minister advises but does not transfer the Governor directly.
• ✗The Chief Justice of India and Parliament have no role in transferring Governors.