Context: President Droupadi Murmu has withheld assent to Tamil Nadu’s Bill seeking exemption from the mandate of National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET)-based admissions for undergraduate medical courses in government medical colleges.

Meaning of the context: The Tamil Nadu Admission to Undergraduate Medical Degree Courses Bill was passed unanimously in the Assembly in September 2021. After the Bill was returned by the Governor, an all-party meeting was held in February 2022. The Bill was then re-adopted in the Assembly.

Learn More:

• When a Bill is passed by the Legislature of a State, it is presented to the Governor for assent. In certain cases, the Governor may reserve the Bill for the consideration of the President.

Step-by-Step Legislative Process and Presidential Role

• After a state legislature passes a Bill, the Governor has 4 options under Article 200:
  • Give assent to the Bill — it becomes law.
  • Withhold assent — the Bill fails.
  • Return the Bill (if not a money bill) for reconsideration. If passed again, must give or reserve assent.
  • Reserve the Bill for the President’s consideration.
• Some situations where the Governor must or may reserve a bill for the President’s consideration:
  • Bills that curtail the powers of the High Court  (mandatory reservation).
  • Bills Affecting Union-State Relations (Article 288 & 304) – If a state bill affects the powers of the Union Government (e.g., taxation, trade, or commerce under Article 288 or Article 304(b)), it requires Presidential assent.
  • Bills on Concurrent List (Article 254(2)) – If a state bill contradicts an existing Central law on a Concurrent List (List III) subject, the President’s assent is needed to override the Central law.
  • Bills Related to Certain Special Categories (Article 31A, 31C) – Bills involving compulsory acquisition of property (under Article 31A) or those implementing Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP) overriding Fundamental Rights (Article 31C).
• President’s Powers over Reserved Bills (Article 201) – Once a Bill is reserved, the President can:
  • Give assent — the Bill becomes law.
  • Withhold assent — the Bill is dead.
  • Return the Bill (if not a money bill) to the State Legislature with a message for reconsideration.
• If the Bill is passed again (with or without amendments), the President is not bound to give assent.

Source : Indian Express