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How is Punjab governed under India’s Constitution?

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Amritsar, India: Harmandir Sahib — Punjab The Harmandir Sahib (Golden Temple; right), Amritsar, Punjab, India.

The government of Punjab is structured according to the Constitution of India, which establishes a framework similar to that of the national government.12

Executive Branch

The state is led by a governor, who is appointed by the president of India and serves primarily in a ceremonial capacity. The governor acts on the advice of a Council of Ministers, which is led by a chief minister. The chief minister is the head of the state government, responsible for policy-making, administrative decisions, and serving as the primary link between the council and the governor.123

Legislative and Judicial Branches

Punjab features a unicameral Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha), whose members are popularly elected for terms of up to five years. The judiciary is headed by the High Court in Chandigarh, which is shared with the state of Haryana. Appeals from this court are directed to the Supreme Court of India.12

Local Administration

The state is divided into districts, each headed by a deputy commissioner, and further subdivided into tehsils, blocks, and villages.12