Nikhil Kumar, former Director-General of National Security Guards (NSG) and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), assumed office of the Governor of Kerala here on Saturday.
Kerala High Court Chief Justice Manjula Chellur administered the oath of office and secrecy to the new incumbent at a simple but grand function held in the Raj Bhavan.
A galaxy of dignitaries including chief minister Oommen Chandy, Speaker G Karthikeyan, Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan and Ministers were present at the swearing-in ceremony.
Syama Singh, wife of Nikhil Kumar and a few of his close friends and relatives also attended the function.
The 71-year-old former IPS officer is the son of Bihar former Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader Satyendra Narayan Sinha.
After his high profile official stint in various capacities, including Delhi Police Commissioner, he was appointed as member of the National Security Advisory Board for two years from 2001.
Nikhil Kumar was elected to the Lok Sabha in 2004 on a Congress ticket from the Aurangabad constituency, a seat represented by his late father and wife Syama Singh earlier.
In 2009, he was appointed as Governor of Nagaland. Nikhil Kumar succeeds Karnataka Governor H R Bhardwaj, who was holding additional charge of the state after the demise of M O H Farooq in January 2012.
He is the 20th Governor of the state, excluding five who had adorned the gubernatorial post holding additional charge including his predecessor.