West Bengal, a state rich in history and cultural heritage, has seen a succession of distinguished individuals serving as Governors over the years. These governors have played crucial roles in shaping the state’s governance, fostering development, and upholding its democratic values. Let’s delve into the list of former Governors who have left their mark on the annals of West Bengal’s history.
Since India gained independence, West Bengal has seen a total of 29 individuals serving as Governors. The inaugural Governor of Bengal was Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari, sworn in on August 15, 1947. Historically, the state has been predominantly governed by the Communist Party of India until the Trinamool Congress emerged victorious in 2012. Currently, C.V. Ananda Bose holds the position of Governor of West Bengal since 2022.
Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari made history as the first Governor of West Bengal, taking office on August 15, 1947. His appointment marked a significant moment in India’s post-independence era, symbolizing the beginning of a new chapter in the governance of the region. As the inaugural governor, Rajagopalachari laid the groundwork for the state’s administration and set the tone for subsequent leadership in West Bengal.
C.V. Ananda Bose has taken on the role of the Governor of West Bengal, commencing his tenure on November 23, 2022. His appointment signifies a new phase in the state’s governance, bringing with it expectations of leadership and stewardship. As the current governor, Bose is poised to guide West Bengal through its socio-political landscape, fostering development and progress during his incumbency.
Padmaja Naidu holds the distinction of being the longest-serving female governor in India, with an impressive tenure of 11 years in West Bengal. Her remarkable leadership and dedication left an enduring legacy in the state’s governance. Throughout her tenure, Naidu contributed significantly to West Bengal’s progress and development, leaving an indelible mark on its socio-political landscape. Her service remains a testament to her enduring commitment to public service and empowerment.
Since India gained independence, West Bengal has seen a total of 29 individuals serving as Governors. Here is the list of former Governors of West Bengal from 1947 to 2024:
| Former Governors of West Bengal | |||
| S. No. | Name | From | To |
| 1. | Chakravarti Rajagopalachari | 15 Aug 1947 | 21 Jun 1948 |
| 2. | Kailash Nath Katju | 21 Jun 1948 | 01 Nov 1951 |
| 3. | Harendra Coomar Mookerjee | 01 Nov 1951 | 08 Aug 1956 |
| 4. | Phani Bhusan Chakravarti | 08 Aug 1956 | 03 Nov 1956 |
| 5. | Padmaja Naidu | 03 Nov 1956 | 01 Jun 1967 |
| 6. | Dharma Vira | 01 Jun 1967 | 01 Apr 1969 |
| 7. | Deep Narayan Sinha | 01 Apr 1969 | 19 Sep 1969 |
| 8. | Shanti Swaroop Dhavan | 19 Sep 1969 | 21 Aug 1971 |
| 9. | Anthony Lancelot Dias | 21 Aug 1971 | 06 Nov 1979 |
| 10. | Tribhuvana Narayana Singh | 06 Nov 1979 | 12 Sep 1981 |
| 11. | Bhairab Dutt Pande | 12 Sep 1981 | 10 Oct 1983 |
| 12. | Anant Prasad Sharma | 10 Oct 1983 | 16 Aug 1984 |
| 13. | Satish Chandra | 16 Aug 1984 | 01 Oct 1984 |
| 14. | Uma Shankar Dikshit | 01 Oct 1984 | 12 Aug 1986 |
| 15. | Saiyid Nurul Hasan | 07 Feb 1990 | 12 Jul 1993 |
| 16. | B. Satyanarayan Reddy | 13 Jul 1993 | 14 Aug 1993 |
| 17. | K. V. Raghunatha Reddy | 14 Aug 1993 | 27 Apr 1998 |
| 18. | Akhlaqur Rahman Kidwai | 27 Apr 1998 | 18 May 1999 |
| 19. | Shyamal Kumar Sen | 18 May 1999 | 04 Dec 1999 |
| 20. | Viren J. Shah | 04 Dec 1999 | 14 Dec 2004 |
| 21. | Gopalkrishna Gandhi | 14 Dec 2004 | 14 Dec 2009 |
| 22. | Devanand Konwar | 14 Dec 2009 | 23 Jan 2010 |
| 23. | M. K. Narayanan | 24 Jan 2010 | 30 Jun 2014 |
| 24. | D. Y. Patil | 03 Jul 2014 | 17 Jul 2014 |
| 25. | Keshari Nath Tripathi | 24 Jul 2014 | 29 Jul 2019 |
| 26. | Jagdeep Dhankhar | 30 Jul 2019 | 18 Jul 2022 |
| 27. | C. V. Ananda Bose | 23 Nov 2022 | Incumbent |
Chakravarthi Rajagopalachari made history as the first Governor of West Bengal, taking office on August 15, 1947.
C.V. Ananda Bose has taken on the role of the Governor of West Bengal, commencing his tenure on November 23, 2022.
Padmaja Naidu holds the distinction of being the longest-serving female governor in India, with an impressive tenure of 11 years in West Bengal.
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