The oath of office to the Governor is administered by:

Correct option is C

The correct answer is (C) Chief Justice of the High Court

Explanation:
• According to Article 159 of the Indian Constitution, every person appointed to be a Governor of a State must make and subscribe an official oath or affirmation before taking charge of office.
• This solemn oath of office and secrecy is administered directly by the Chief Justice of the High Court that exercises jurisdiction over that particular State.
• In the event that the Chief Justice of the High Court is absent or unavailable, the oath must be administered by the senior-most Judge of that High Court who is available at the time.
• The text of the oath requires the Governor to swear to faithfully execute the office, to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution and the law to the best of their ability, and to devote themselves to the service and well-being of the people of the State.
• This mechanism ensures that even though the Governor is an appointee of the Union executive, their induction into office is formalized under the supervision of the state's highest judicial authority, reinforcing constitutional checks and balances.

Information Booster:
• While the oath is administered by the state's Chief Justice, the Governor is appointed directly by the President of India under Article 155 via a warrant under the President's hand and seal, and holds office during the pleasure of the President for a normal term of five years.

Additional Knowledge:
• President (Option A): Though the President appoints the Governor and receives their official resignation letter, the President does not administer the Governor's oath. The President's own oath is administered by the Chief Justice of India.
• Prime Minister (Option B): The Prime Minister leads the Union Council of Ministers, which advises the President on who to appoint as a state Governor, but has no direct formal role in administering oaths of office.
• Chief Minister (Option D): The Chief Minister is the real executive head of the state government. Under Article 164, the Chief Minister is appointed by the Governor, and it is the Governor who administers the oath of office and secrecy to the Chief Minister, not the other way around.