New Delhi, September 2026 : President Droupadi Murmu has appointed senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Dr Dinesh Sharma as the new Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Rashtrapati Bhavan announced on Saturday.
According to an official press communique issued by Rashtrapati Bhavan, the appointment will come into effect from the date Dr Sharma assumes charge of the office. The announcement was made by the President’s Press Secretary, Dr Manisha Verma, and was released for immediate publication.
Dr Sharma, a prominent BJP leader from Uttar Pradesh, brings considerable political, administrative and academic experience to his new assignment. He served as Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh from 2017 to 2022 in the government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. During his tenure, he handled several important portfolios, including higher education, technical education, science and technology, and information technology.
Born in Lucknow on January 12, 1964, Sharma entered public life through student organisations and subsequently rose through the BJP’s youth wing. He later held several organisational responsibilities within the party before moving into electoral politics and government.
Sharma served as the Mayor of Lucknow for two terms, being elected first in 2006 and again in 2012. His second victory was particularly significant, as he won by a record margin. His long association with the University of Lucknow has also given him a strong academic background. He has served as a professor of commerce since the early 1990s and has guided several research scholars over the years.
His appointment assumes significance given the strategic and administrative importance of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Located in the Bay of Bengal, the Union Territory occupies a crucial position from the perspective of national security and maritime interests. The Lieutenant Governor oversees the territory’s administration and plays an important role in areas including infrastructure development, tourism, environmental conservation and coordination with the Union government.
Admiral (Retd) Devendra Kumar Joshi has been serving as the Lieutenant Governor of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands since October 2017. Dr Sharma’s appointment marks a change in the leadership of the strategically important Union Territory.
Dr Sharma is expected to assume charge of the office shortly. His extensive experience in state administration, politics, education and organisational affairs is expected to shape his approach to governance in the island territory.
