GS2 · 10 marks · 150 words

The Supreme Court, in a recent verdict, prescribed a time period for the Governor's assent to state legislative bills. What are the implications of this judgment for cooperative federalism and legislative accountability in India?

Answered by 11 toppers · CSE 2023–2025

Centre-State RelationsFederalismJudiciaryExecutive

Syllabus: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

How toppers approached it

From all 11 answers · about 170 words · 55% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A constitutional or legal provision36%
  • No separate opening36%
  • A date or context18%
  • A direct answer9%

Body

  • Points and prose55%
  • Points45%

Close

  • A summary45%
  • No separate close27%
  • A way forward18%
  • A quotation9%

The toppers’ answers

Zinnia AuroraAIR 6 · CSE 2025 · 175 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a constitutional or legal provision

Article 200 and 201 lay down provisions and powers of Governors with regard to legislative assent powers, which the recent judgement was awarded.

Body · points and prose

Diagram
* Judgement * Tamil Nadu Governor vs Govt of Tamil Nadu * deadlock resolution via prescription of 60 days time * Judiciary passing laws thus blocked

Implications of judgement

cooperative federalism

  1. Friction between two tiers of government a) Governor labelled as 'centre's agent'
  2. Subvention of gubernatorial powers under state legislature a) state can send bill again - mandatory passing
  3. More space for 'reasons' → reasoned blockade by Governor hereafter
  4. Time-based exercise of legislative competence by state → eg Bills on NEET, etc passed by SC in given case
  5. Widening power tussle between Union and state → no mechanism of dialogue laid

Legislative Accountability 6) Constitutional scheme based working with enhanced legislative might → eg Article 200 teethed now. 7) Governor accountable to state legislature, not Union. → viable linkage.

However, questions remain

  1. President's power of assent → eg Advisory sought by President Murmu under Article 143.
  2. Discretionary power removed - constitutional puppetry of state by Governor.

Close · a way forward

With emphasis on ARC-1 recommendations on consensus-based Gubernatorial office, reformed Union-State relations can be fostered.

More on Centre-State Relations

Legislative, administrative and financial relations, and disputes between them.

All GS2 questions on Centre-State Relations