Archive · 20 Nov 2025
SC Clarifies: No Timelines for President, Governors on Bills
The Supreme Court said that the President and Governors of states cannot be given fixed timelines to approve or reject bills passed by the legislature.
They have three options: give assent, send the bill back to the assembly, or refer it to the President.
While Governors can't hold bills indefinitely, the court can't set specific timelines for them.
The court's role is limited to cases of persistent inaction or delay.
Supreme Court ruled out fixing timelines for President, Governors to assent to bills
Court emphasized separation of powers, rejected 'deemed assent' concept
Governors can't hold bills indefinitely, must exercise options under Article 200
Judicial review available in cases of persistent inaction or delay
President need not seek advisory opinion under Article 143 each time a Bill is reserved
- Who
- Supreme Court of India
- What
- Ruled on President's reference regarding timelines for Governors' assent to bills
- When
- November 20, 2023
- Where
- Supreme Court
- Why
- To clarify the scope of Governors' powers and the role of the judiciary
Union Government's Stance
Attorney General's Stance
Timelines
Union Government's Stance
Opposes fixed timelines for President, Governors
Attorney General's Stance
Supports limited timelines for President, Governors
Court's Role
Union Government's Stance
Argues court cannot assume legislative duties
Attorney General's Stance
Believes court can clarify President, Governors' responsibilities
- Case Type
- Presidential Reference
- Article
- 143
- President
- Droupadi Murmu
- Constitutional Articles Affected
- 200, 201
- Arguments Heard From
- Union, States, Attorney General
Sources
Supreme Court To Pronounce Judgment In Presidential Reference Case Tomorrow
Presidential Reference on Governor’s timelines: SC to deliver advisory opinion on Thursday
Supreme Court to Rule on Presidential Reference Tomorrow Amid Row Over Governors’ Powers on State Bills
Presidential Reference Explained: What The SC Will Decide Today And Why It’s Significant
Timelines cannot be fixed for Governor for giving assent to bills passed by assembly: SC
Presidential reference on bills: Who argued what in Supreme Court
SC: No Fixed Timelines or Deemed Assent for Bills
No Timelines For President, Governors To Clear Bills: Supreme Court
Timelines cannot be given to President, Governors to clear bill
SC holds timelines cannot be fixed for President, Governor for giving assent to bills passed by assembly
Governors cannot indefinitely withhold assent to Bills: SC on Presidential reference
Courts cannot fix timeline for President, governor to act on bills passed by assembly: SC
Supreme Court rules that it cannot impose timelines on President and Governors to take decisions on pending bills, rejects concept of ‘deemed assent’
Courts cannot fix timeline for Governor, President to give assent to bills passed by assembly: Supreme Court
No timelines for governors, president to act on bills, says Supreme Court
No timelines for governors, president to grant assent to bills: SC
Governors cannot indefinitely withhold assent to Bills; fixing timelines antithetical: SC on Presidential reference
‘President, Governors Not Bound by Clock’: SC Says Courts Can Step In Against ‘Indefinite’ Delays on Stalled Bills
No timeline to okay bills, no deemed consent by courts: SC
'No Timelines For Governors, President To Grant Assent To Bills': SC
Supreme Court's Note On President, Governors, Bills Explained In 10 Points
SC clarifies Governor’s powers: How it answered 14 questions referred by President
Chief Justice's "Sacrifice" Quip As Top Court Answers President's Queries
What Changes For Tamil Nadu After Top Court's Note On Governors, Bills
No deadlines for President or Governors to act on bills: Supreme Court
Kapil Sibal interview: ‘SC opinion holds that subjective satisfaction of Governor, President not justiciable … It will be debated for years’
Here’s why Supreme Court decided to answer Presidential reference
Explained: Supreme Court judgment on Presidential reference case, the background and the change of stance
No fixed timelines for Governors or President to clear state bills, rules SC
Presidential Reference: No timelines for Governor/President to act on Bills for assent, no deemed assent; decisions under Articles 200 & 201 not justiciable, says SC
SC’s Clarity on Assent Disappoints Telangana Congress
Supreme Court’s view on governor’s assent timelines is a step backwards for democracy: Experts
No legal challenge to governor, President's action on bills: SC
WB Speaker says indefinite delay in clearing bills defeats purpose; calls for fixed timeline
Prez reference: Interpretation, working of constitutional text truly ‘swadeshi’, says SC
J’khand BJP welcomes Supreme Court’s verdict on Presidential Reference
Presidential reference: SC says it cannot impose timelines for Governors, President to act on Bills, also can’t grant ‘deemed assent’
Spectre of delays in economic bills returns with SC ruling? Experts see checks and balances
SC opines judiciary cannot shackle President, Governor to timelines nor assume ‘deemed assent’ of State Bills
