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

The inaugural holder Edouard Goubert from the Indian National Congress has the shortest tenure (only 1 year, 71 days).

[3] Both these transfer days are official holidays within the union territory of Puducherry.

This introduced the same pattern of government that prevailed in the rest of the country, but subject to certain limitations.

[6] Under Article 239 of the Indian Constitution, the president of India appoints the lieutenant governor of Puducherry with such designation as he may specify to head the administration of the territory.