Shimla, March 10 — Kavinder Gupta was sworn in as the 30th Governor of Himachal Pradesh on Tuesday during a formal ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Shimla. The oath of office and secrecy was administered by Himachal Pradesh High Court Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia in the presence of senior political leaders, officials, and dignitaries.
Gupta took the oath in Hindi, marking the beginning of his tenure as the constitutional head of the state. The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, cabinet ministers, legislators, and senior government officers.
The appointment follows the transfer of the previous Governor, Shiv Pratap Shukla, who had served as Himachal Pradesh’s 29th governor since February 2023 and is set to assume another gubernatorial role.
Ceremony and Key Announcements
During the swearing-in ceremony, Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta read out the warrant of appointment issued by the President of India. The programme also featured the singing of the full six verses of the patriotic song Vande Mataram, which officials said was introduced at the event as part of new instructions encouraging its performance at government functions and educational institutions.
Speaking to the media after the ceremony, Governor Gupta said he would work for the welfare and overall development of Himachal Pradesh while taking all sections of society along.
He also indicated that issues affecting the state would be raised with the central government whenever required. According to Gupta, cooperation between the state government and the opposition would be essential for ensuring balanced development in the hill state.
Priorities as Governor
Gupta highlighted several areas that he intends to focus on during his tenure. These include youth welfare, tribal development, skill-based education, and campaigns against drug abuse.
He said that encouraging education and awareness among young people would remain a key priority and that institutions should promote values rooted in national heritage and civic responsibility.
List of Governors of Himachal Pradesh (1971-2026)Political and Administrative Background
Born on December 2, 1959, in Jammu, Kavinder Gupta has spent more than four decades in public life and politics. His early involvement in social and political activities began with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh and the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad.
Gupta later entered municipal politics and became the first elected mayor of the Jammu Municipal Corporation, serving three consecutive terms. In 2014, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Gandhinagar constituency in Jammu and Kashmir.
He went on to serve as Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly in 2015 and later held the post of Deputy Chief Minister of the state in 2018. In July 2025, he was appointed Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh before being named the Governor of Himachal Pradesh in March 2026.
Significance of the Appointment
The appointment places Gupta in charge of the constitutional responsibilities of the state, including overseeing legislative processes and representing the Union government at the state level. Observers say his administrative experience in both state and Union Territory governance may influence his approach to issues involving federal coordination and development policies.
With the swearing-in completed, Gupta formally assumes office as Himachal Pradesh’s 30th governor, beginning a new chapter in the state’s constitutional leadership.
