Shimla: Former Union minister Kalraj Mishra was sworn in as the Governor of Himachal Pradesh in a ceremony at Raj Bhawan on Monday (July 22).

He replaced Acharya Dev Vrat, the previous Governor of Himachal Pradesh, who has been transferred to Gujarat.

Mishra, the 78-year-old Governor of Himachal Pradesh, had resigned from the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government as minister for micro, small and medium enterprises in 2017 after he crossed the age of 75, the BJP's unofficial age limit for holding an elected post.

Himachal Pradesh high court Chief Justice V Ramasubramanian administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mishra.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Jai Ram Thakur and the new Governor's wife, Satyawati Mishra, were also present on the occasion.

Punjab Governor VP Singh Badnore, HP Vidhan Sabha Speaker Dr Rajiv Bindal, former chief minister Virbhadra Singh and Prem Kumar Dhumal were also present.

The new Governor was given an impressive guard of honour.

Chief secretary BK Agarwal read out the warrant of appointment. Secretary to the Governor Rakesh Kanwar obtained the signature of Mishra on the charge certificate.

Meanwhile, Dev Vrat was administered the oath of office by the Gujarat high court's acting Chief Justice Anant S Dave at a function held at the Raj Bhavan.

Dev Vrat, who is the 20th governor of Gujarat, took the oath in Sanskrit.

Outgoing Governor OP Kohli, chief minister Vijay Rupani, deputy chief minister Nitin Patel, state Assembly Speaker Rajendra Trivedi, several cabinet ministers, MLAs and senior officers were present at the function.