The PRS Legislative Research November 2025 Monthly Policy Review highlights the upcoming Winter Session of Parliament (December 1–19, 2025) and significant legislative and judicial developments in the governance sphere.

The Winter Session is expected to take up 10 new bills across critical sectors. Key proposed legislation includes: the Securities Markets Code (consolidating SEBI Act, SCRA, Depositories Act, and related laws into a unified code); Insurance FDI Amendment Bill (raising FDI limit in insurance sector from 74% to 100%); Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) Bill (replacing the University Grants Commission); Atomic Energy Amendment Bill (allowing private sector participation in nuclear energy); and amendments to the National Highways Act.

The PRS review also noted a landmark Supreme Court ruling on the constitutional question of presidential assent timelines. The Supreme Court held that the judiciary cannot prescribe fixed timelines within which the President or Governor must grant or withhold assent to state bills, reaffirming the principle of separation of powers. However, the Court clarified that indefinite delay in granting assent would be contrary to the constitutional scheme and subject to judicial review on grounds of constitutional convention.

This ruling came in the context of prolonged delays by Governors in several states — including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Telangana — in giving assent to bills passed by state assemblies, which had triggered political controversies and constitutional questions about the role of Governors as constitutional heads.

The PRS review serves as a key resource for tracking legislative activity, identifying bills likely to be passed, and understanding the policy implications of proposed laws — making it highly relevant for competitive examinations and public policy analysis.