NEWS:Supreme Court questions Tamil Nadu Governor’s delay in assenting to State Bills raising constitutional concerns and Centre State dynamics
GS-2 polity and governance
- A five-judge Presidential Reference Bench of the Supreme Court (SC), led by former Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud, reviewed the Tamil Nadu Governor case regarding assent to State Bills.
- The SC suggested its intervention, granting deemed assent to 10 Tamil Nadu State Bills, was to resolve an “egregious situation” caused by the Governor’s delay in assenting since 2020.
- The Attorney General argued that the Governor has the power under Article 200 to withhold assent and is not bound by the Council of Ministers’ advice.
- The SC is examining the President’s reference questioning the court’s power to set three-month deadlines for presidential and gubernatorial assent to State Bills.
Constitutional Provisions
- Article 200 – Assent to Bills
When a Bill is passed by a State Legislature (or both Houses in bicameral states), it is presented to the Governor. The Governor has four options:- Give assent → The Bill becomes an Act.
- Withhold assent → The Bill is rejected (called “absolute veto”).
- Return the Bill (if not a Money Bill) → Legislature reconsiders it; if passed again (with or without amendments) and sent back, the Governor must give assent.
- Reserve the Bill for the President’s consideration → Certain Bills must be reserved (e.g., those affecting the powers of the High Court, or contradicting Central law).
- Article 201 – Bills reserved for President
- The President may give assent, withhold assent, or return the Bill (if not a Money Bill).
- If returned and passed again by the State Legislature, the Bill still requires the President’s assent to become law.
Judicial Observations
- Shamsher Singh v. State of Punjab (1974): Governor is a constitutional head, bound by the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers.
- Nabam Rebia v. Deputy Speaker (2016): Governor cannot act as an independent authority except in areas where Constitution explicitly gives discretion.
- Recent SC observations (2023): Governors must act promptly on Bills; delaying assent indefinitely is against constitutional spirit.
NEWS:Ukraine peace talks gain momentum as Trump meets Zelenskyy and Putin with Europe seeking security guarantees amidst ongoing conflict
GS-2 international relation
- A multilateral summit was held at the White House between U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders, including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- The summit occurred after Trump’s meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska, signaling a renewed effort to end the Ukraine war.
- European leaders showed solidarity with Ukraine, but recognize their limitations if the U.S. cuts off weapon supplies to Kyiv.
- Trump signaled support for security guarantees to Ukraine, stating Europe would be the “first line of defence,” but not ruling out American involvement.
Alaska Summit (March 2021)
- Occasion: First high-level diplomatic meeting between the United States (Biden administration) and China after Joe Biden became President.
- Venue: Anchorage, Alaska (18–19 March 2021).
- Participants:
- U.S.: Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan.
- China: Yang Jiechi (senior diplomat), Wang Yi (Foreign Minister).
Key Issues Discussed
- Human Rights: U.S. raised concerns over Xinjiang (Uyghur Muslims), Hong Kong, and Tibet.
- Taiwan: U.S. reaffirmed support for Taiwan; China reiterated “One-China Principle.”
- South China Sea: U.S. criticized Chinese militarization and aggressive behavior.
- Cybersecurity & Technology: Concerns about cyberattacks, 5G, and Huawei.
- Trade & Economy: U.S. emphasized need for fair trade practices and opposition to coercive economic measures.
Outcome
- The talks were tense, combative, and highly publicized, with both sides trading sharp remarks in front of the media.
- No major agreements were reached, but the meeting set the tone for U.S.–China relations under Biden: competitive, confrontational, yet with areas of potential cooperation (like climate change).
NEWS:India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy needs robust review mechanism for credibility legal coherence and alignment with evolving climate finance ecosystem
GS-3 environment
- The Ministry of Finance released India’s draft Climate Finance Taxonomy in May for public consultation, aiming to mobilize climate-aligned investments and prevent greenwashing.
- The taxonomy is designed as a “living” framework, adaptable to India’s evolving priorities and international obligations.
- A structured review mechanism, drawing from the Paris Agreement’s Article 6.4 Mechanism, is proposed to ensure investor confidence and legal clarity.
- The review system should function on two levels: annual reviews for timely course correction and recurring five-year reviews for comprehensive reassessment.
Paris Agreement (2015)
Background
- Adopted at the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21) to the UNFCCC in Paris, December 2015.
- Entered into force on 4 November 2016.
- India ratified it in October 2016.
- Legally binding international treaty on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance.
Key Features
- Global Temperature Goal
- Limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Pursue efforts to limit to 1.5°C.
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- Each country submits its voluntary climate action plan (NDC).
- To be updated every 5 years with increasing ambition.
- Differentiated Responsibility
- Recognises principle of Common But Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities (CBDR-RC).
- Developed nations should take the lead.
- Climate Finance
- Developed countries to mobilize $100 billion per year (by 2020, extended till 2025).
- Financial support for mitigation & adaptation in developing countries.
- Technology & Capacity Building
- Support for green technologies, renewable energy, climate-resilient infrastructure.
- Transparency Framework
- Countries must report emissions, progress on NDCs, and climate finance provided/received.
- Global Stocktake
- Every 5 years (starting 2023 at COP28), to assess collective progress.
India’s Commitments (Updated NDCs, 2022)
- Reduce emission intensity of GDP by 45% by 2030 (from 2005 levels).
- Achieve 50% cumulative electric power capacity from non-fossil fuel sources by 2030.
- Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent through forests (earlier target).
- Achieve Net Zero by 2070 (declared at COP26, Glasgow).
NEWS:Union Cabinet approves Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 to ban real money gaming, targeting multi billion dollar industry
GS-2 governance
- The Union Cabinet approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 to prohibit real money games (RMGs) online.
- The Bill targets a multi-billion dollar industry including fantasy sports platforms like Dream11 and card game apps such as PokerBaazi.
- The Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament on Wednesday.
- The definition of “online money gaming” includes depositing money with the expectation of winning monetary returns.
Real Money Games (RMGs)?
- Online games where players stake real money with the potential to win monetary rewards.
- Examples: Online rummy, poker, fantasy sports, teen patti, ludo, online betting apps.
- Different from casual/skill-based games (like Candy Crush, PUBG etc.) that don’t involve cash stakes.
Types of RMGs
- Skill-based RMGs – Outcome depends on skill, strategy, or knowledge (e.g., chess, fantasy sports, rummy).
- Chance-based RMGs – Outcome depends largely on luck/chance (e.g., roulette, slot machines).
(Indian courts have often distinguished between skill and chance to decide legality.)
Current Status in India
- Legal Ambiguity:
- Gambling and betting are State subjects under the 7th Schedule.
- Some states (Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh) have banned RMGs including skill games; others (like Karnataka earlier) imposed restrictions but struck down by courts.
- Judicial Position:
- R.M.D. Chamarbaugwala case (1957) – Games of skill are business and protected under Article 19(1)(g).
- K.R. Lakshmanan case (1996) – Horse racing declared a game of skill.
- Taxation:
- Under GST (2023 amendment), full face value of RMG entry fees is taxed at 28%, not just platform fee.
- Central Regulation:
- In 2023, MeitY (Ministry of Electronics & IT) was made nodal ministry for online gaming (excluding gambling).
- Draft rules require self-regulatory bodies, KYC norms, grievance redressal, and prohibition of betting/wagering games.
MAINS MOCK QUESTION
“Examine the constitutional provisions regarding the Governor’s assent to a Bill. Critically analyse the issues arising from the exercise of this power in recent times.”
