The Tamil Nadu government has filed a suit in the Supreme Court under Article 131 of the Constitution, seeking the release of ₹2,151.59 crore in central funds under the Samagra Shiksha Scheme (SSS) for the 2024–25 fiscal year.

The State contends that the Union government’s refusal to disburse the funds stems from Tamil Nadu’s non-adoption of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its rejection of the three-language formula, which includes Hindi.

In the suit filed through Advocate Sabarish Subramanian, Tamil Nadu alleges that the Centre’s conditional linking of funds to the implementation of NEP 2020 and the PM SHRI Schools scheme constitutes “coercive federal overreach.” The total claim amounts to ₹2,291.3 crore, including interest.

The State argues that the Centre’s actions violate cooperative federalism, undermine State legislation such as the Tamil Nadu Uniform System of School Education Act, 2010, and disrupt the implementation of the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 (RTE Act). The move, the suit asserts, jeopardizes the educational rights of 43.94 lakh students, 2.21 lakh teachers, and over 32,000 support staff in Tamil Nadu’s government schools.

According to Tamil Nadu, the Project Approval Board of the Ministry of Education approved ₹3,585.99 crore for the State in February 2024, of which ₹2,151.59 crore was the Centre’s 60% share. However, no instalment has been released so far, allegedly due to the State’s refusal to sign an MoU for the PM SHRI scheme, which showcases NEP 2020 implementation.

Tamil Nadu maintains that NEP 2020 is a non-binding policy document without legislative or executive force. The State argues that the Union government’s insistence on implementing NEP provisions such as the three-language formula — opposed by Tamil Nadu since a 1968 Assembly resolution — violates constitutional provisions and State autonomy over education under Entry 25 of the Concurrent List.

The suit further claims that the Centre’s withholding of funds violates Articles 14, 21, 21A, 41, and 45 of the Constitution, as well as the statutory obligations under the RTE Act. It seeks:

• A direction to the Centre to disburse the withheld ₹2,151.59 crore along with interest.

• A declaration that the NEP 2020 and PM SHRI Schools scheme are not binding on Tamil Nadu unless voluntarily accepted through a formal agreement.

• A ruling that the Centre’s conditional linkage of Samagra Shiksha funds to the implementation of NEP 2020 and PM SHRI is unconstitutional and arbitrary.

• A directive that the Centre must release its statutory share of funds before the beginning of each academic year.

Citing responses in the Rajya Sabha, Tamil Nadu claims it is one of three States — along with Kerala and West Bengal — that have not received SSS funds for 2024–25. The delay, the State says, has disrupted teacher salaries, student entitlements, training, and school infrastructure support.