Discharge of Governor's Functions in Contingencies
Official heading: “Discharge of the functions of the Governor in certain contingencies.”
- Source edition
- The Constitution of India (as on 1 May 2026)
- Source locator
- Part VI, Article 160, printed page 72
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- Not yet checked
- Last human legal review
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1. In One Sentence
Article 160 empowers the President to make provision for the discharge of the Governor's functions in any unforeseen contingency not provided for in Part VI.
2. What It Means in Everyday Language
Article 160 serves as an emergency stopgap provision enabling the Union President to handle sudden vacancies or incapacities in the office of Governor.
While the Constitution provides for normal appointments and resignations, sudden contingencies such as sudden illness, unexpected death, or temporary absence overseas require prompt institutional coverage.
Under Article 160, the President can authorize an adjoining State's Governor or designate the Chief Justice of the State High Court to temporarily discharge gubernatorial functions.
3. Practical Illustrative Example
A sitting Governor suddenly falls gravely ill and is hospitalized indefinitely.
4. Important Limits, Qualifications & Exceptions
Article 160 prevents administrative paralysis during sudden gubernatorial vacancies.
- Presidential authority: Solely the President can make contingency provisions.
- Covers unprovided contingencies: Applies to situations not expressly enumerated in Chapter II.
- Ensures uninterrupted constitutional governance in the State.
5. Operative Constitutional Text
6. Sources & Historical Assembly Deliberations
Assembly quotations are withheld until wording, dates, and attribution have been checked against the primary record.
- •Government of India (Legislative Department, Ministry of Law and Justice) • Part VI, Article 160, printed page 72 • Human source-link check pending
Primary PDF accessed and transcribed with AI assistance on 14 October 2026. Formatting and amendment annotation markers are omitted; operative wording is retained. This is not human legal review. Later amendments and commencement notifications have not been comprehensively checked.