NEW DELHI — In a significant administrative overhaul on Thursday night, March 5, 2026, President Droupadi Murmu announced a series of high-profile appointments for Governors and Lieutenant Governors across several Indian states and Union Territories. The reshuffle, which introduces a mix of seasoned diplomats, military veterans, and political leaders to key constitutional roles, is aimed at streamlining governance and addressing the evolving political landscapes in these regions.
Among the most notable changes is the appointment of R.N. Ravi as the new Governor of West Bengal, where he succeeds C.V. Ananda Bose. This move brings a senior administrator to a state that has seen frequent friction between the Raj Bhavan and the state government. Simultaneously, the national capital will see a major transition as former diplomat Taranjit Singh Sandhu has been appointed the new Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. Sandhu, who previously served as India’s Ambassador to the United States, replaces Vinai Kumar Saxena, who has been reassigned to serve as the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh.
The reshuffle also includes the appointment of retired Lieutenant General Syed Ata Hasnain as the Governor of Bihar. Hasnain, a respected military strategist and a prominent voice on national security, is expected to bring a disciplined administrative approach to the state. In the northern hill state of Himachal Pradesh, former Ladakh LG Kavinder Gupta will take over as Governor, succeeding Shiv Pratap Shukla, who has been moved to Telangana to take up the gubernatorial role there.
Further appointments finalized by the President include Jishnu Dev Varma as the new Governor of Maharashtra and Nand Kishore as the Governor of Nagaland. Additionally, the Governor of Kerala, Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, has been entrusted with the additional charge of Tamil Nadu. These appointments are set to take effect immediately upon the respective officials assuming their new offices, marking a comprehensive refresh of constitutional leadership across the country.
