Odisha, formerly known as Orissa, holds a rich tapestry of history, culture, and governance within its bounds. As one of the eastern states of India, it has witnessed the stewardship of numerous leaders who have held the prestigious position of Governor. These individuals have played pivotal roles in shaping the trajectory of Odisha’s development and governance. In this article, we delve into the annals of history to compile a comprehensive list of former Governors of Odisha, highlighting their contributions and legacies.
The Governor of Odisha, currently Raghubar Das, serves as the state’s foremost representative and ensures the smooth functioning of its administration. They act as a vital link between the state and the central government. Here is a concise list of past Governors of Odisha, along with their respective terms of service, showcasing their contributions to the state’s governance.
Sir John Austen Hubback served as the inaugural Governor of Odisha, holding office from April 1, 1936, to August 11, 1938, and again from December 1938 to March 31, 1941. Appointed by the President for a 5-year term, he wielded executive authority over administration, appointments, and removals within the state.
Raghubar Das assumed office as the current Governor of Odisha on October 19, 2023, and remains in the position. Appointed by the President, he holds executive authority over the state’s affairs. As the incumbent, his tenure signifies a period of governance and representation at the helm of Odisha’s administration.
The Governor holds the highest position in the state and acts as the liaison between the central government and the state. According to the Indian Constitution, the Governor is considered the foremost citizen of the state, symbolizing its unity and representation at the national level.
Here is the complete list of former Governors of Odisha:
| Former Governors of Odisha | |||
| S. No. | Name | From | To |
| 1. | Sir John Austen Hubback | 01 Apr 1936 | 11 Aug 1938 |
| 2. | George Townsend Boag | 11 Aug 1938 | 07 Dec 1938 |
| 3. | Sir John Austen Hubback | 08 Dec 1938 | 31 Mar 1941 |
| 4. | Howthorne Lewis | 01 Apr 1941 | 31 Mar 1946 |
| 5. | Chandulal Madhavlal Trivedi | 01 Apr 1946 | 14 Aug 1947 |
| 6. | Kailash Nath Katju | 15 Aug 1947 | 20 Jun 1948 |
| 7. | Asaf Ali | 21 Jun 1948 | 05 May 1951 |
| 8. | V. P. Menon | 06 May 1951 | 17 Jul 1951 |
| 9. | Asaf Ali | 18 Jul 1951 | 06 Jun 1952 |
| 10. | Fazal Ali | 07 Jun 1952 | 09 Feb 1954 |
| 11. | P. S. Kumaraswamy Raja | 10 Feb 1954 | 11 Sep 1956 |
| 12. | Bhim Sen Sachar | 12 Sep 1956 | 31 Jul 1957 |
| 13. | Yeshwant Narayan Sukthankar | 31 Jul 1957 | 15 Sep 1962 |
| 14. | Ajudhia Nath Khosla | 16 Sep 1962 | 05 Aug 1966 |
| 15. | Khaleel Ahmed | 05 Aug 1966 | 11 Sep 1966 |
| 16. | Ajudhia Nath Khosla | 12 Sep 1966 | 30 Jan 1968 |
| 17. | Shaukatullah Shah Ansari | 31 Jan 1968 | 20 Sep 1971 |
| 18. | Sardar Yojendra Singh | 20 Sep 1971 | 30 Jun 1972 |
| 19. | Gati Krushna Misra | 01 Jul 1972 | 08 Nov 1972 |
| 20. | Basappa Danappa Jatti | 08 Nov 1972 | 20 Aug 1974 |
| 21. | Gati Krushna Misra | 21 Aug 1974 | 25 Oct 1974 |
| 22. | Akbar Ali Khan | 25 Oct 1974 | 17 Apr 1976 |
| 23. | Shiva Narayan Shankar | 17 Apr 1976 | 07 Feb 1977 |
| 24. | Harcharan Singh Brar | 07 Feb 1977 | 22 Sep 1977 |
| 25. | Bhagwat Dayal Sharma | 23 Sep 1977 | 30 Apr 1980 |
| 26. | Cheppudira Muthana | 30 Apr 1980 | 30 Sep 1980 |
| 27. | S. K. Ray | 01 Oct 1980 | 03 Nov 1980 |
| 28. | Cheppudira Muthana | 04 Nov 1980 | 24 Jun 1982 |
| 29. | Ranganath Misra | 25 Jun 1982 | 31 Aug 1982 |
| 30. | Chepuudira Muthana | 01 Sep 1982 | 17 Aug 1983 |
| 31. | Bishambhar Nath Pande | 17 Aug 1983 | 20 Nov 1988 |
| 32. | Saiyid Nurul Hasan | 20 Nov 1988 | 06 Feb 1990 |
| 33. | Yagya Dutt Sharma | 07 Feb 1990 | 01 Feb 1993 |
| 34. | Saiyid Nurul Hasan | 01 Feb 1993 | 31 May 1993 |
| 35. | B. Satya Narayan Reddy | 01 Jun 1993 | 17 Jun 1995 |
| 36. | Gopala Ramanujam | 18 Jun 1995 | 30 Jan 1997 |
| 37. | K.V. Raghunatha Reddy | 31 Jan 1997 | 12 Feb 1997 |
| 38. | Gopala Ramanujam | 13 Feb 1997 | 13 Dec 1997 |
| 39. | K. V. Raghunatha Reddy | 13 Dec 1997 | 27 Apr 1998 |
| 40. | C. Rangarajan | 27 Apr 1998 | 14 Nov 1999 |
| 41. | M. M. Rajendran | 15 Nov 1999 | 17 Nov 2004 |
| 42. | Rameshwar Thakur | 18 Nov 2004 | 21 Aug 2007 |
| 43. | Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare | 21 Aug 2007 | 09 Mar 2013 |
| 44. | S.C. Jamir | 09 Mar 2013 | 20 Mar 2018 |
| 45. | Satya Pal Malik | 21 Mar 2018 | 29 May 2018 |
| 46. | Prof. Ganesh Lal | 29 May 2018 | 19 October 2023 |
| 47. | Raghubar Das | 19 October 2023 | Incumbent |
Punjab's top order batter, Anmolpreet Singh, scripted a history by scoring a third fastest List…
Rohan Mirchandani, the co-founder of the popular brand Epigamia, tragically passed away at the age…
India clinched the inaugural U10 Women's Asia cup T20 title by defeating Bangladesh by 41…
The Indian government has decided to infuse ₹500 crore into the state-owned Industrial Finance Corporation…
Uttar Pradesh, a state in northern India, is home to many famous tourist attractions. From…
Arvind Kejriwal, the AAP supremo, unveiled the Dr Ambedkar Samman Scholarship, a scheme designed to…