Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was sworn in as the 23rd Governor of Kerala on January 2, 2025, at a ceremony held at Raj Bhavan in Thiruvananthapuram. Kerala High Court Chief Justice Nitin Madhukar Jamdar administered the oath of office to Arlekar, marking the beginning of his tenure in the southern state.

The event was attended by several dignitaries, including Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, and senior political leaders. Arlekar's family members were also present at the brief but significant ceremony.

Arlekar's appointment comes after a five-year term of Arif Mohammed Khan, whose tenure was marked by a politically charged relationship with the Left-led government in Kerala. As the new Governor, Arlekar's arrival is being keenly observed, especially in light of the past friction between the office of the Governor and the state government.

A commerce graduate, Arlekar, 70, hails from Goa and has a long political career. Before his appointment as Kerala's Governor, he served as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh and Bihar. A member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Arlekar has also served as a minister and Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly. His political journey reflects his strong ties to the BJP and his contributions to public service.

Arlekar is married to Anagha Arlekar, and they have two children. His leadership will now shape Kerala's political landscape as he takes over from Arif Mohammed Khan in the state.