Following elections to the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the lieutenant governor usually invites the party (or coalition) with a majority of seats to form the government.

The post was established after the 6th amendment to the state's constitution (effective 6 June 1965) abolished the title of Prime Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

The State of Jammu and Kashmir was bifurcated and reorganised as a union territory on 31 October 2019.

After the state was reorganised into a union territory in October 2019, the president's rule was discharged via the lieutenant governor.

The lieutenant governor served as the head of government of the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir until a new chief minister was in place following the 2024 Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly election.