The Supreme Court is scheduled on Thursday (November 20, 2025) to pronounce its advisory opinion on a Presidential Reference questioning the apex court’s authority to “impose” timelines and prescribe the manner of conduct of Governors and the President while dealing with State bills sent to them for assent or reserved for consideration.
The marathon hearings had brought into sharp focus the dividing line between Opposition-ruled States and their Governors over delay in clearing crucial laws.
Presidential Reference verdict LIVE
The Presidential Reference was made in May when President Droupadi Murmu, under Article 143 of the Constitution, had referred 14 questions, seeking the Supreme Court’s opinion on the powers of the Governor and the President under Articles 200 and 201.
The bone of contention which led to these questions, all related to the authority to grant assent to Bills, followed the Supreme Court’s April 8 judgment in State of Tamil Nadu v. Governor of Tamil Nadu (2025), where the Court laid down timelines for constitutional authorities to act on Bills presented to them.
Published – November 20, 2025 10:40 am IST
