📜 Article 157 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Qualifications for appointment as Governor
🔹 Text of Article 157:
"No person shall be eligible for appointment as Governor unless he—
(a) is a citizen of India, and
(b) has completed the age of thirty-five years."
📌 Key Points:
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a citizen of India. |
| Minimum Age | Must have completed 35 years of age. |
| Other Qualifications | No educational or professional qualifications required. |
❌ Disqualifications or Restrictions:
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Article 157 does not mention any disqualifications, but under Article 158, the Governor:
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Cannot be a member of Parliament or State Legislature.
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Must not hold any office of profit.
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🧠Why Article 157 is Important:
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Sets the minimum eligibility for one of the highest constitutional positions in a state.
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Ensures only mature Indian citizens can be appointed.
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Reflects a simple and inclusive eligibility criterion, unlike some other constitutional posts.
Here is a comparison chart of qualifications for the Governor and the President of India, based on the Constitution:
📊 Governor vs President: Qualifications Comparison
| Criteria | Governor (Article 157) | President (Article 58) |
|---|---|---|
| Citizenship | Must be a citizen of India | Must be a citizen of India |
| Minimum Age | 35 years | 35 years |
| Parliamentary Qualification | Not required | Must be qualified to be a member of the Lok Sabha |
| Office of Profit | Cannot hold any office of profit (Art. 158) | Cannot hold any office of profit under government |
| Membership of Legislature | Must not be a member of Parliament or State Legislature (Art. 158) | Can’t be an MP/MLA at the time of election |
| Educational Qualification | ❌ Not required | ❌ Not required |
| Nomination | Appointed by the President | Elected by an Electoral College |
| Other Conditions | Must not belong to the state (convention, not law) | No specific condition on state or region |
🧠Key Differences:
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The President must be qualified to be an MP (Lok Sabha), while the Governor has no such condition.
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The President is elected, while the Governor is appointed.
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Governor’s role is limited to a state, President’s role is national.
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