Acharya Devvrat takes additional charge as Maharashtra Governor on 15 September 2025. Learn about his profile, oath ceremony, roles, and key constitutional responsibilities for exams.
Acharya Devvrat Assumes Additional Charge as Governor of Maharashtra
Swearing-in Ceremony and Key Details
On 15 September 2025, Acharya Devvrat, who has been serving as Governor of Gujarat since July 2019, was sworn in to take additional charge as the Governor of Maharashtra. The oath was administered by Justice Chandrashekhar, Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, at the Darbar Hall in Raj Bhavan, Mumbai. Notably, Acharya Devvrat recited his oath of office in Sanskrit.
Succession & Reason for the Appointment
He succeeds C. P. Radhakrishnan, the previous Governor of Maharashtra, who vacated the office after being elected Vice President of India. The President of India, through a formal order, has appointed Acharya Devvrat to discharge the duties of Governor of Maharashtra in addition to his ongoing role as Governor of Gujarat.
Ceremonial Aspects
The ceremony featured customary formalities: the rendition of the National Anthem and the Maharashtra state song, presentation of bouquets by chief dignitaries including the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. A Ceremonial Guard of Honour by the Indian Navy was also part of the event.
Roles & Responsibilities During Additional Charge
While assuming this additional charge, Acharya Devvrat will continue his duties as Governor of Gujarat until a full-time appointment for Maharashtra is made. As per constitutional norms, the Governor performs roles such as assenting to legislation passed by the state legislature, oversight of state functions under the guidance of the Council of Ministers, and various ceremonial functions.
Profile of Acharya Devvrat
Acharya Devvrat is a veteran educationist and social worker with over 45 years of experience. He holds postgraduate degrees in history and Hindi, a B.Ed., diploma in yoga science, and a doctorate in naturopathy and yogic science. Earlier, he served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh from August 2015 to July 2019 before being appointed Governor of Gujarat. He is known for promoting natural farming, social harmony programs, and other welfare initiatives.
Why This News Is Important
Constitutional Continuity and Stability
The office of a Governor is an important constitutional link between the state executive and the Union government. When a Governor vacates office, continuity must be maintained. The appointment of Acharya Devvrat to hold additional charge ensures there is no vacuum in Maharashtra’s governance at the gubernatorial level. This helps in maintaining the smooth working of legislative and executive business in the state.
Significance in Indian Federal Structure
In India’s federal system, Governors are key in various functions: they assent to bills, summon or prorogue the state legislature, and in certain cases, can play vital roles during times of constitutional crises or hung assemblies. A Governor holding additional charge (as in this case) must balance responsibilities across two states, making it essential for the appointee to be experienced and have administrative gravitas.
Political and Governance Implications
Given that Maharashtra is one of India’s largest and most politically significant states, the choice of a Governor — even in an additional charge capacity — carries symbolic and actual political weight. It impacts how state-government-Governor relationships function, especially with respect to legislative approvals, oversight, and state policies that require Governor’s assent.
Exam Relevance
For students preparing for government exams (Civil Services, State PCS, etc.), this event is relevant for multiple topics: the powers of the Governor under Indian Constitution, recent changes in state leadership, post of Vice President affecting other appointments, and real-life examples of constitutional provisions (like additional charge). Such instances often get asked in exams in questions about constitutional functionaries and their appointments.
Historical Context
Role of Governor in India
Under the Constitution of India, the Governor is appointed by the President and acts as the nominal head of the state. While real executive power lies with the elected Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister, the Governor has important discretionary, ceremonial, and constitutional responsibilities.
Precedents of Additional Charge
There have been multiple instances in Indian history where one Governor was given additional charge of another state temporarily. This happens usually when the incumbent Governor resigns, is transferred, or vacates office due to other positions, until a full-time appointment is made.
About Acharya Devvrat
Acharya Devvrat has previously served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh (2015-2019), and then as Governor of Gujarat from 2019 onwards. His background as an educationist and social worker has shaped his approach to governance, including promotion of natural farming, welfare schemes, and social harmony.
C. P. Radhakrishnan’s Move to Vice Presidency
His predecessor in Maharashtra, C. P. Radhakrishnan, vacated the Governor post upon election as Vice President of India. Such transitions are part of higher constitutional offices changing hands, triggering other shifts.
Sanskrit and Ceremonial Traditions
The administration of oath in Sanskrit — while not obligatory — echoes India’s cultural heritage and constitutional formalism. Similar practices are sometimes adopted in states or for high offices to emphasize tradition and solemnity.
Key Takeaways from “Acharya Devvrat Assumes Additional Charge as Governor of Maharashtra”
| S.No. | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| 1 | Appointment Date: Acharya Devvrat took additional charge as Governor of Maharashtra on 15 September 2025. |
| 2 | Predecessor: He succeeds C. P. Radhakrishnan, who vacated the office upon being elected Vice President of India. |
| 3 | Oath Details: The oath was administered by Justice Chandrashekhar, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, and was taken in Sanskrit. |
| 4 | Additional Charge While Holding Existing Office: Acharya Devvrat will continue as Governor of Gujarat while holding the additional responsibility for Maharashtra until a full-time Governor is appointed. |
| 5 | His Profile and Background: He is an educationist with degrees in history, Hindi, yoga; previously Governor of Himachal Pradesh; promotes natural farming and social welfare initiatives. |
FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Acharya Devvrat?
Acharya Devvrat is an educationist and social worker who has served as Governor of Himachal Pradesh (2015–2019) and Gujarat (2019–present). He has a background in history, Hindi, yoga, and naturopathy.
2. When did Acharya Devvrat take additional charge as Governor of Maharashtra?
He assumed additional charge on 15 September 2025 after C. P. Radhakrishnan vacated the position to become Vice President of India.
3. Who administered the oath to Acharya Devvrat?
Justice Chandrashekhar, the Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, administered the oath at the Raj Bhavan, Mumbai.
4. Why was Acharya Devvrat given additional charge?
The additional charge was given to maintain constitutional continuity in Maharashtra after the previous Governor vacated office. He will perform duties until a full-time Governor is appointed.
5. What are the main responsibilities of a Governor in India?
Governors assent to state legislation, summon or prorogue the legislature, oversee state administration under the Council of Ministers, and carry out ceremonial functions.
6. Has Acharya Devvrat taken the oath in any special way?
Yes, he recited the oath of office in Sanskrit, highlighting India’s cultural and constitutional traditions.
7. What ceremonial events were part of the swearing-in?
The ceremony included the National Anthem, Maharashtra state song, a ceremonial guard of honor, and presentation of bouquets by dignitaries including the Chief Minister and Deputy CM.
Some Important Current Affairs Links
