He is under an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution. As the first citizen of the State, the Governor is expected to give sagacious guidance in the governance of the State in accordance with the Constitutional provisions.

The Governor is expected to be a person of undoubted ability and position in public life. He is expected to be free from the passions and jealousies of the local party politics and hold the scales impartially between the various factors in the politics of the State. He not only represents the Centre, but as the head of the State, serves his people and faithfully fights their battles with the Centre. He keeps in mind the overall national interests, not partisan party interests. He is supposed to be in tune with the people of the State he represents. The Constitution empowers him to influence the decisions of an elected Government by giving him the right to be consulted, to warn and to encourage. His role is overwhelmingly that of a friend, philosopher and guide to his council of Ministers with unrivalled discretionary powers.

The functions and powers of the Governor may be conveniently dealt with under five heads- executive, legislative, financial, judicial and discretionary.