Special Address by the Governor
Official heading: “Special address by the Governor.”
- Source edition
- The Constitution of India (as on 1 May 2026)
- Source locator
- Part VI, Article 176, printed pages 80–81
- Last human source-link check
- Not yet checked
- Last human legal review
- Not yet reviewed
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1. In One Sentence
Article 176 mandates a special address by the Governor at the commencement of the first session after each general election and at the start of each year's first session, outlining government policy.
2. What It Means in Everyday Language
Article 176 provides for the ceremonial and substantive inaugural address by the Governor to the State Legislature, corresponding to Article 87 at the Union level.
Mandatory Occasions: The Governor must address the Legislative Assembly (or both Houses assembled together in a bicameral State): (a) at the commencement of the first session after each general election to the Assembly; and (b) at the commencement of the first session of each year (typically the Budget Session).
Government Policy Statement: The Governor's address is prepared by the Council of Ministers and outlines the policies, legislative agenda, and achievements of the elected State government. Rules of procedure must provide time for debate on the address, concluding with a vote on the Motion of Thanks.
3. Practical Illustrative Example
At the start of the year's first legislative session, the Governor reads an address prepared by the State Cabinet detailing proposed economic schemes.
4. Important Limits, Qualifications & Exceptions
Article 176 establishes the formal policy opening of State legislative work.
- Delivered at the start of a new legislative term and at the first session of each year.
- Cabinet responsibility: The address reflects government policy formulated by the Council of Ministers.
- Debate and Motion of Thanks: The Legislature must allocate time to discuss matters referred to in the address.
- Defeat of Motion of Thanks: In the Legislative Assembly, defeat of the Motion of Thanks amounts to a loss of confidence in the Ministry.
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 176, printed pages 80–81 • 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.