Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, in a significant announcement made during a state assembly session, revealed the formation of a high-level committee aimed at recommending measures to enhance the state’s autonomy. This initiative comes in the wake of repeated confrontations between the Tamil Nadu government and Governor RN Ravi.

The proposed panel will be chaired by former Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph and include two former Indian Administrative Service officers — Ashok Vardhan Shetty and M.U. Nagarajan. Their primary objective will be to explore and propose ways to improve the balance of power between the Centre and the state,ensuring a more equitable and harmonious federal structure.

Timeline and Objectives of the Panel

The Chief Minister elaborated that the panel will conduct in-depth research and consultations to suggest reforms that would strengthen the state's position within the Indian federal system. The committee has been tasked with submitting an interim report by January 2026, while the final recommendations are expected to be presented by 2028.

Speaking on the floor of the assembly, Stalin emphasized the importance of cooperative federalism and noted, “To strengthen the relationship between the state and the Union Government, this committee will do thorough research and provide recommendations.”

Criticism of NEET and the National Education Policy

During his address, MK Stalin also reiterated his government's strong opposition to the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) and the National Education Policy (NEP), both of which have been longstanding contentious issues between Tamil Nadu and the Union Government.

Stalin expressed deep concern over the impact of NEET on students in the state, pointing out that the exam has led to the loss of many young lives. He also accused the Centre of using the NEP as a vehicle to impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking states, particularly Tamil Nadu, which has consistently promoted the two-language policy based on Tamil and English.

"In the name of the triple language policy, the Union Government is attempting to impose Hindi in Tamil Nadu. Since we have firmly rejected NEP, the Centre has withheld ₹2,500 crore in funds due to the state," Stalin alleged, according to news agency ANI.

Ongoing Tensions Between State Government and Governor

MK Stalin’s remarks come amidst an ongoing and increasingly strained relationship with Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi. The tension between the two escalated when the Governor repeatedly withheld assent to several bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly. The state government, led by Stalin’s DMK, took the matter to the Supreme Court, arguing that the Governor's refusal to act on bills even after they were re-sent amounted to a constitutional violation.

The Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling on the matter, siding with the Tamil Nadu government. A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan deemed the Governor’s action of reserving ten bills for the President’s consideration as “illegal and arbitrary.” The court declared that all actions taken by the Governor in this regard were null and void, stating that the bills would be considered valid from the date they were re-submitted to the Governor.

Victory for Federalism

MK Stalin hailed the Supreme Court's decision as a major triumph, not just for Tamil Nadu but for all states advocating for greater federal balance in India. He described the ruling as a precedent that strengthens the role of state governments and ensures that democratic processes within the states are respected by constitutional authorities.

This move to form a dedicated committee on state autonomy reflects Stalin’s continued efforts to protect the rights of Tamil Nadu within the federal framework and signals a proactive approach to tackling centralization of power.