Unprecedented Step in Legislative History

Tamil Nadu Notifies 10 Acts Without Governor’s Assent: A Landmark Legislative Step: In a landmark development, the Tamil Nadu government notified 10 Acts in the State Gazette on April 11, 2025, without receiving assent from either the Governor or the President of India. This move, first-of-its-kind in Indian legislative history, came in the wake of a recent Supreme Court ruling that redefined the discretionary powers of Governors regarding state Bills.

Acts Aimed at University Governance

The majority of these Acts deal with Vice-Chancellor appointments in state-run universities. Previously, these appointments were under the exclusive purview of the Governor in his role as Chancellor. Now, the powers have been shifted to the Tamil Nadu government, signaling a major governance change in higher education. Among the 10 Acts notified are amendments to the Tamil Nadu Fisheries University Act, Veterinary University Act, Dr. Ambedkar Law University Act, and Dr. M.G.R. Medical University Act, spanning from 2020 to 2023.

Supreme Court’s Game-Changing Verdict

This legislative breakthrough was enabled by a Supreme Court verdict, which declared the Governor’s inaction as unconstitutional. The Court ruled that a Governor must act within 1 to 3 months on any Bill presented, depending on the nature of the action—whether to assent, withhold, or reserve for the President. More importantly, the judgment introduced the concept of “deemed assent”, stating that if a Governor fails to act within the prescribed time, the Bill would be considered passed.

National Implications

The Supreme Court’s decision not only impacts Tamil Nadu, but also sets a binding precedent across India. With a legal timeframe now imposed on Governors to act on Bills, other states facing delays in gubernatorial assent may also move forward with long-pending legislation. It also brings such decisions under judicial review, an area previously left ambiguous under Article 200 of the Indian Constitution.

Controversy Over Bench Strength

Though widely celebrated, the verdict has sparked debate over its constitutional legitimacy. Critics argue that such a pivotal matter should have been handled by a five-judge Constitutional Bench, as required under Article 145(3), rather than by a two-judge bench. Nonetheless, the implications of the verdict remain significant for centre-state relations and federal governance in India.

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Tamil Nadu Notifies 10 Acts Without Governor’s Assent: A Landmark Legislative Step: