Sudha Yadav sworn in as Karnataka's 2nd woman Governor; CM Shivakumar welcomes her
Synopsis
Karnataka has its second woman Governor in over two decades — Dr. Sudha Yadav, a BJP heavyweight with a Parliamentary Board credential, took oath on her own birthday. CM Shivakumar's warm reception and disclosure that PM Modi personally called him about the appointment signal an unusually cooperative tone between Raj Bhavan and the Congress-led state government.
Key Takeaways
Sudha Yadav was sworn in as Karnataka's 20th Governor on 16 October 2026 at Lok Bhavan, Bengaluru .
She is only the second woman to serve as Karnataka Governor, after V.S.
Ramadevi (1999–2002).
The oath was administered by Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru of the Karnataka High Court — coinciding with Yadav's birthday.
Shivakumar revealed that PM Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah personally informed him of the appointment by phone.
Outgoing Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot served from 21 July 2021 , completing over five years in the role.
Sudha Yadav was inducted into the BJP's Parliamentary Board in August 2022 and served in the NCBC from 2019 to 2022 .
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Dr. Sudha Yadav was sworn in as the 20th Governor of Karnataka on 16 October 2026 at Lok Bhavan in Bengaluru, becoming only the second woman to hold the constitutional post in the state's history. Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar welcomed the new Governor at a reception held at the Banquet Hall of Vidhana Soudha, calling the occasion a significant day for Karnataka.
A Historic Milestone for Karnataka
Chief Justice of the Karnataka High Court, Vibhu Bakhru, administered the oath of office to Sudha Yadav in the presence of CM Shivakumar, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara, and other dignitaries. The occasion was doubly symbolic — the oath was administered on Yadav's birthday. Yadav is the first woman to serve as Karnataka Governor since V.S. Ramadevi, who held the post from 1999 to 2002.
Ahead of the ceremony, Yadav paid floral tributes at the National Military Memorial in Bengaluru. Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly R. Ashoka, Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Council Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, and outgoing Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot were among those present.
CM Shivakumar's Welcome Address
Speaking at the combined reception and farewell function, CM Shivakumar said: 'We have had the opportunity to work with Karnataka's first woman Governor, Ramadevi. Now, we have the opportunity to work with Dr. Sudha Yadav. Let us work together with renewed enthusiasm.' The Chief Minister also disclosed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah had personally informed him over the phone about Yadav's appointment, and that the state government had 'largely accepted the Governor's decisions.'
CM Shivakumar invited Governor Yadav to visit Mysuru during the Dasara festivities, describing the festival as a reflection of Karnataka's culture and traditions.
Farewell to Outgoing Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot
The event also served as a farewell to Thaawarchand Gehlot, who served as Karnataka Governor from 21 July 2021, completing a tenure of over five years. CM Shivakumar praised Gehlot for his cooperation and guidance, saying: 'Gehlot not only supported the government but also guided us on improving the lives of the people of the state.' Following the oath-taking ceremony, Gehlot felicitated the new Governor, while CM Shivakumar presented her with a bouquet.
Who Is Dr. Sudha Yadav
Dr. Sudha Yadav hails from Haryana and has had a long association with the BJP. She served as a Member of Parliament representing Mahendragarh from 1999 to 2004 and subsequently held the post of BJP national secretary. She also headed the party's Other Backward Classes (OBC) Morcha and was a member of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC) from 2019 to 2022. In August 2022, she was inducted into the BJP's Parliamentary Board — the party's highest decision-making body. President Droupadi Murmu formally appointed her as Karnataka Governor on 12 October 2026.
What Comes Next
With the transition of power at Raj Bhavan complete, the new Governor is expected to engage closely with the state administration on legislative and constitutional matters. CM Shivakumar's early emphasis on cooperation signals a desire for a smooth working relationship between the elected government and the Raj Bhavan — a dynamic that has, in several other states, been a source of political friction in recent years.
Point of View
Yet CM Shivakumar's conspicuously warm reception — including the disclosure of personal calls from Modi and Shah — suggests a deliberate effort to project cordiality ahead of what could be a contentious legislative session. The Centre's choice of a senior OBC leader for the post is also a calibrated signal in a state where caste arithmetic is always in play. What remains to be watched is whether the cooperative tone at the swearing-in translates into a genuinely friction-free Raj Bhavan relationship, or whether it is the customary diplomatic opening before harder disagreements surface.
NationPress
16 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Dr. Sudha Yadav, the new Governor of Karnataka?
Dr. Sudha Yadav is a senior BJP leader from Haryana who was sworn in as Karnataka's 20th Governor on 16 October 2026. She previously served as a Member of Parliament from Mahendragarh (1999–2004), headed the BJP's OBC Morcha, and was inducted into the BJP's Parliamentary Board — the party's highest decision-making body — in August 2022.
Why is Sudha Yadav's appointment historically significant for Karnataka?
She is only the second woman to serve as Governor of Karnataka. The first was V.S. Ramadevi, who held the post from 1999 to 2002 — a gap of over two decades between the state's two women Governors.
Who was the outgoing Governor of Karnataka and how long did he serve?
Thaawarchand Gehlot served as Karnataka Governor from 21 July 2021, completing a tenure of over five years. CM Shivakumar praised him for his cooperation and guidance to the state government during his tenure.
How was Sudha Yadav appointed as Karnataka Governor?
President Droupadi Murmu appointed Sudha Yadav as the Governor of Karnataka on 12 October 2026. CM Shivakumar has stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah personally informed him of the appointment over the phone.
What did CM Shivakumar say at the swearing-in reception?
CM Shivakumar called it a significant day for Karnataka and said he was looking forward to working with the new Governor with 'renewed enthusiasm.' He also invited Governor Yadav to attend the Dasara festivities in Mysuru, describing the festival as a reflection of Karnataka's culture and traditions.
