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| List of Governors of Tamil Nadu |
The seat was established on 6 May 1946 when Tamil Nadu was known as Madras Presidency under British Rule. Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Edward Nye was the first Governor of the Madras Presidency. After Independece of India, Maharaja Sir Krishna Kumarasinhji Bhavsinhji became the first Governor of Tamil (then known as Governor of Madras State).
On 14 January 1969, Madras was rechristinized as Tamil Nadu (Land of Tamils). Sardar Ujjal Singh became then Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Banwarilal Purohit is the current Governor of Tamil Nadu. He joined the office on 6 October 2017.
Surjit Singh Barnala is the only appointed Governor to have served two terms in office (24 May 1990–15 February 1991 and 3 November 2004–31 August 2011). He is also the longest serving Governor of Tamil Nadu in a single term and as whole.
| # | Name (Notes) | Took Charge | Left Charge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lieutenant-General Sir Archibald Edward Nye | 6 May 1946 | 7 September 1948 | |
| 2 | Maharaja Sir Krishna Kumarasinhji Bhavsinhji | 7 September 1948 | 12 March 1952 | |
| 3 | Sri Prakasa | 12 March 1952 | 10 December 1956 | |
| 4 | A. J. John, Anaparambil | 10 December 1956 | 30 September 1957 | |
| 5 | Pakala Venkata Rajamannar (acting) | 1 October 1957 | 24 January 1958 | |
| 6 | Bhishnuram Medhi | 24 January 1958 | 4 May 1964 | |
| 7 | Maharaja Sir Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Bahadur | 4 May 1964 | 24 November 1964 | |
| 8 | P. Chandra Reddy (acting) | 24 November 1964 | 7 December 1965 | |
| 9 | Maharaja Sir Jayachamaraja Wodeyar Bahadur | 7 December 1965 | 28 June 1966 | |
| 10 | Sardar Ujjal Singh (acting till 16 June 1967) | 28 June 1966 | 27 May 1971 | |
| 11 | Kodardas Kalidas Shah | 27 May 1971 | 16 June 1976 | |
| 12 | Mohan Lal Sukhadia | 16 June 1976 | 8 April 1977 | |
| 13 | P. Govindan Nair (acting) | 9 April 1977 | 27 April 1977 | |
| 14 | Prabhudas Patwari | 27 April 1977 | 27 October 1980 | |
| 15 | M. M. Ismail (acting) | 27 October 1980 | 4 November 1980 | |
| 16 | Sadiq Ali | 4 November 1980 | 3 September 1982 | |
| 17 | Sundar Lal Khurana, IAS (Retired) | 3 September 1982 | 17 February 1988 | |
| 18 | P. C. Alexander, IAS (Retired) | 17 February 1988 | 24 May 1990 | |
| 19 | Surjit Singh Barnala | 24 May 1990 | 15 February 1991 | |
| 20 | Bhishma Narain Singh | 15 February 1991 | 31 May 1993 | |
| 21 | Marri Chenna Reddy | 31 May 1993 | 2 December 1996 | |
| 22 | Krishan Kant (additional charge) | 2 December 1996 | 25 January 1997 | |
| 23 | M. Fathima Beevi | 25 January 1997 | 3 July 2001 | |
| 24 | C. Rangarajan (additional charge) | 3 July 2001 | 18 January 2002 | |
| 25 | P. S. Ramamohan Rao, IPS (Retired) | 18 January 2002 | 3 November 2004 | |
| 26 | Surjit Singh Barnala | 3 November 2004 | 31 August 2011 | |
| 27 | Konijeti Rosaiah | 31 August 2011 | 30 August 2016 | |
| 28 | C. Vidyasagar Rao (additional charge) | 2 September 2016 | 6 October 2017 | |
| 29 | Banwarilal Purohit | 6 October 2017 | Incumbent |