Can a Governor Sit on a State Bill Forever? The 2025 Verdict

A Governor can assent, withhold, return once, or reserve a bill for the President under Article 200.

The 'pocket veto'—sitting on a bill indefinitely—was the core grievance behind the Tamil Nadu case.

April 2025: a 2-judge bench used Article 142 to 'deem' 10 stuck bills assented and set 1/3-month deadlines.

Nov 20, 2025: a 5-judge bench reversed that—no fixed timelines, no 'deemed assent', limited judicial review only.

Courts can still order a Governor to act in 'reasonable time'; indefinite, unexplained delay remains unconstitutional.