New Delhi/Chennai: The Tamil Nadu government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court opposing the establishment of Navodaya schools in Tamil Nadu.
A case related to allowing the establishment of ‘Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya’ schools in every district in Tamil Nadu recently came up for hearing in the Supreme Court.
At that time, the Supreme Court ordered that the Tamil Nadu government’s position on establishing Navodaya schools in every district and on identifying land for the schools be conveyed within 3 weeks.
Following this, the Tamil Nadu government has filed an affidavit in this case. It states: In the matter of Navodaya schools, the Tamil Nadu government had already informed the Central government of its position through a letter dated Jan. 5.
The educational structure in Tamil Nadu is highly excellent. Moreover, the proposal to establish Navodaya schools in Tamil Nadu cannot be regarded merely as an administrative proposal.
This case also raises legal questions relating to implementing educational policy within the Central government’s administrative framework and the State government’s use of administrative authority.
This case has also raised the question of whether the state can be compelled, through an administrative policy of the Central Government or through a court order, to act in a manner contrary to state law.
Since education is on the Concurrent List, the state legislature has full authority to enact laws and frame policy in this regard. Accordingly, under the Tamil Learning Act of 2006 in Tamil Nadu, the Tamil language has been made compulsory in all schools in Tamil Nadu.
Therefore, the Central Government cannot implement administrative policies that are contrary to a State Government’s own laws. Hence, the Central Government does not have the authority to compel the establishment of Navodaya schools or to force a State Government to implement the National Education Policy.
Furthermore, since land-related matters are subject to the State’s discretion, a court cannot issue an order compelling a State to hand over or allocate its land.
Therefore, the Supreme Court should withdraw the order issued in December 2025 directing the identification of land for Navodaya schools. That is what it states.
