RN Ravi Appointed West Bengal Governor Ahead of Assembly Elections

Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi has been appointed as the new Governor of West Bengal following the sudden resignation of CV Ananda Bose. The change comes just months before the 2026 West Bengal Assembly elections, drawing political attention across the country. Bose had served as the Governor of West Bengal since 2022, and his unexpected resignation has triggered debate over the timing of the leadership change. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee confirmed the appointment of Ravi and criticised the Union government for not consulting the state government before the decision.

Career Background of RN Ravi

Ravindra Narayan Ravi is a retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer from the 1976 batch of the Kerala cadre. He holds a postgraduate degree in Physics. During his long career in national security and intelligence, he served in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB). His work largely focused on internal security and strategic intelligence matters.

In 2014, Ravi was appointed Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee under the Prime Minister’s Office, a key body responsible for analysing intelligence inputs for national security decision-making.

Role in National Security and Diplomacy

RN Ravi also served as Deputy National Security Advisor in 2018. In this role, he handled several sensitive internal security issues and played a role in negotiations related to insurgent groups in Northeast India. His expertise in intelligence and conflict resolution helped shape government strategies dealing with security challenges in the region.

After retiring from active service, Ravi entered constitutional office when he was appointed Governor of Nagaland in 2019. During this period, he also held the additional charge as Governor of Meghalaya.

Tenure as Tamil Nadu Governor

Ravi was later appointed Governor of Tamil Nadu, where his tenure witnessed frequent disagreements with the DMK-led state government under Chief Minister MK Stalin. Several disputes arose over delays in granting assent to bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Assembly.

In 2023, Ravi briefly announced the dismissal of state minister V Senthil Balaji without the Chief Minister’s recommendation, a move that he later withdrew on the same day. He also drew attention after skipping a customary address to the Tamil Nadu Assembly during a controversy over the playing of the national anthem alongside the state anthem.

Important Facts for Exams

• The Governor of a state is appointed by the President of India under Article 155 of the Constitution.
• RN Ravi is a 1976 batch IPS officer of the Kerala cadre.
• The Joint Intelligence Committee functions under the National Security Council Secretariat.
• Governors can hold additional charge of multiple states when required.

Political Significance of the Appointment

RN Ravi’s appointment as the Governor of West Bengal comes at a politically sensitive time, just ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections. The move has sparked debate about Centre–state relations and the role of governors in Indian federal politics. The West Bengal government has raised concerns over the lack of consultation in the appointment process, highlighting continuing tensions between the state leadership and the Union government.