Major Governors’ Reshuffle Across Six States: Four New Appointees, Two Key Transfers

President Droupadi Murmu appoints Om Prakash Mathur to Keralam and Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to Tamil Nadu; Sudha Yadav, Braj Mohan Ram, Dhal Singh Bisen and Dushyant Gautam receive gubernatorial responsibilities

(SDNA) New Delhi: In a significant administrative reshuffle, President Droupadi Murmu has appointed Governors for six states, bringing four new faces into gubernatorial roles while transferring two serving Governors to new assignments. The appointments, announced by Rashtrapati Bhavan on October 12, 2026, cover Keralam, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Sikkim. The changes will take effect when the appointees assume charge of their respective offices. <Link url=”https://www.presidentofindia.gov.in/press_releases/press-communique-38” title=”Official presidential communiqué”/>.

Six States, Six Appointments

The latest reshuffle combines the reassignment of experienced constitutional officeholders with the appointment of four new Governors.

• Om Prakash Mathur — Keralam: The outgoing Governor of Sikkim has been transferred to Keralam.
• Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar — Tamil Nadu: The Governor of Keralam has been appointed to head Tamil Nadu.
• Braj Mohan Ram — Odisha: Appointed to the gubernatorial post as a new entrant.
• Dr. Sudha Yadav — Karnataka: Appointed as the new Governor.
• Dr. Dhal Singh Bisen — Uttarakhand: Appointed to the state’s highest constitutional office.
• Dushyant Gautam — Sikkim: Appointed as the new Governor, succeeding Om Prakash Mathur.

The appointments of Braj Mohan Ram, Dr. Sudha Yadav, Dr. Dhal Singh Bisen and Dushyant Gautam mark four fresh entries into gubernatorial office. <Link url=”https://www.presidentofindia.gov.in/press_releases/press-communique-38” title=”Read the official announcement”/>.

Om Prakash Mathur: From Sikkim to Keralam

A veteran Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, Om Prakash Mathur has held several organisational responsibilities and served on the party’s Central Election Committee. Born on January 2, 1952, in Bedal village of Rajasthan’s Pali district, he assumed office as Sikkim Governor in July 2024.

His transfer to Keralam marks a new assignment in his public career, bringing his extensive political and organisational experience to another state.

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar: A New Assignment in Tamil Nadu

Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar brings considerable legislative and administrative experience to his new role. Born in Panaji, Goa, on April 23, 1954, he has served as Goa BJP president, Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly and a minister in the state government.

He has also held the office of Governor in Himachal Pradesh and Bihar before assuming charge in Keralam in January 2025. His appointment to Tamil Nadu formalises his new gubernatorial assignment in the state.

Braj Mohan Ram: Legislative Experience to Constitutional Office

Braj Mohan Ram, a BJP leader born on January 1, 1958, in the Palamu region of undivided Bihar, has experience in both state and national politics.

He served as a member of the Bihar Legislative Assembly from 1991 to 1995 and subsequently represented the Palamu Lok Sabha constituency from 1996 to 2004. His appointment as Odisha Governor marks his transition to a constitutional position at the state level.

Dr. Sudha Yadav: Academic Credentials and Political Experience

Dr. Sudha Yadav brings an academic background in chemistry alongside her experience in public life. Born in Haryana’s Rewari district on October 16, 1965, she holds postgraduate and doctoral qualifications in the subject.

She was elected to the Lok Sabha from Mahendragarh in 1999 and served as a Member of Parliament until 2004. She subsequently served on the National Commission for Backward Classes and joined the BJP’s Parliamentary Board in August 2022.

Her appointment as Karnataka Governor adds a new constitutional responsibility to her political career.

Dr. Dhal Singh Bisen: From Madhya Pradesh Politics to Uttarakhand

Dr. Dhal Singh Bisen, a senior BJP leader and medical professional, has spent decades in Madhya Pradesh politics. Born on May 14, 1952, in Pipariya, Seoni district, he was elected to the Madhya Pradesh Legislative Assembly four times between 1990 and 2008.

He served as a minister in the state government from 2003 to 2005 and was elected to the Lok Sabha from Balaghat in 2019, remaining in Parliament until 2024.

His appointment as Uttarakhand Governor marks a new chapter in a career spanning state and national legislatures.

Dushyant Gautam: Organisational Leadership Takes Centre Stage

Dushyant Gautam, a senior BJP leader and former Rajya Sabha member, has held several organisational responsibilities within the party.

His political journey began with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP), after which he took on various roles within the BJP. He later served as the party’s national general secretary and was elected to the Rajya Sabha from Haryana in 2020.

His appointment as Sikkim Governor places him in a constitutional role after years of political and organisational engagement.

What the Reshuffle Means

The six-state reshuffle brings together experienced political figures and four first-time Governors. While Mathur and Arlekar move to new assignments, the appointments of Ram, Yadav, Bisen and Gautam introduce new officeholders into the gubernatorial system.

Governors serve as constitutional heads of their respective states, performing functions defined by the Constitution of India. The practical transition in each state will begin when the newly appointed Governors formally assume office.

The reshuffle is therefore a significant development in India’s state-level constitutional administration, with the coming days expected to see the formal transfer of responsibilities across the six Raj Bhavans.

(SDNA) | National News Desk | New Delhi

Source: Rashtrapati Bhavan, Press Communiqué dated October 12, 2026.