Each state copies the Union's design: an appointed Governor as formal head, a Chief Minister who needs
the assembly's confidence, and an elected Vidhan Sabha. Of the eight union territories, Delhi,
Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir have elected legislatures; the rest are run by the Union.
Governor
One per state (a Lieutenant Governor or Administrator in union territories)
Term Holds office 'during the pleasure of the President'; normally 5 years (Art. 156)
Chosen by Appointed by the President on the Union government's advice
The formal head of the state. Appoints the Chief Minister, summons the assembly, gives or withholds assent to state bills or reserves them for the President (Art. 200). How long a Governor may sit on a bill was litigated in State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor of Tamil Nadu (2025) and a presidential reference to the Supreme Court later that year.
Chief Minister & state Council of Ministers
One per state, plus Delhi, Puducherry and Jammu & Kashmir
Term While holding the assembly's confidence; at most 5 years per assembly
Chosen by Appointed by the Governor — the leader who commands an assembly majority
Mirrors the Union: collectively responsible to the Vidhan Sabha, capped at 15% of its strength (minimum 12). A disputed majority is settled by a floor test in the assembly, not at Raj Bhavan (S. R. Bommai, 1994).
Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha)
4,123 seats across 28 states and 3 union territories
Term 5 years unless dissolved
Chosen by Voters, in single-member assembly constituencies
First past the post, with seats reserved for SC and ST. Six states also have an indirectly chosen upper house (Legislative Council): Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.
President's Rule
Article 356
Term Up to 6 months at a time, at most 3 years
Chosen by The President, on the Union Cabinet's advice, approved by both houses within two months
If the constitutional machinery in a state fails, the Union takes over and the assembly is suspended or dissolved. Used more than 130 times; S. R. Bommai (1994) made the decision reviewable by courts. Manipur was under President's Rule from February 2025 to February 2026.