Governor’s actions and significance judgment 

• The Supreme Court of India, comprising Justice J.B. Pardiwala and Justice R. Mahadevan, reaffirmed the limits of gubernatorial authority in The State of Tamil Nadu vs The Governor of Tamil Nadu and Anr.

• The Court emphasized that the Governor of a State is not an independent power centre but is bound by legal norms and democratic principles.

• The case centered on the Governor’s failure to act on a Bill passed by the State’s legislature.

• The Court validated several Bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, each of which had languished without assent.

• The Governor’s inaction and delayed referral led to the State government’s case, claiming he undermined the people’s will.

• The Constitution of India categorizes legislative authority between the Union and the States, with the Union having exclusive authority over items in List I, List III, and List II.

• The Governor, appointed by the President, functions as the constitutional head of the State, acting on the advice of the State’s Council of Ministers.