Similarities and Differences between President and Governor in India

February 24, 2016 May 25, 2021

The key similarities and differences between President and Governor are given below:

Both the President and Governor have the status of Constitutional Heads.
All executive decisions are taken in their name but actual power is exercised by Council of Ministers
All ordinary / money bills passed must get their assent before they become an act.
Both of them have powers to promulgate ordinances
All Money bills can be introduced with prior recommendation of President in the Lok Sabha and Governor in the state legislature.

The discretionary powers of Governor are with wider scope in the state than the President in the Union.
Governor cannot grant pardon to somebody convicted and sentenced to death, although he can commute such sentence. Only president has power to pardon someone sentenced to death.
President can nominate two members of Anglo-Indian Community in Lok Sabha, Governor can nominate one member of Anglo-Indian Community in State Legislature.
President nominates 12 members in Rajya Sabha. Governor nominates 1/6th members of State Legislative Council wherever bicameral legislatures exist in states.
Only President can declare war or peace.
Only President can pardon a person punished under Martial law.