Story so far: Entertaining President Droupadi Murmu’s ‘Presidential reference’, the Supreme Court’s constitution bench on Tuesday (July 22, 2025) issued notices to the Union government and all States on the reference raised by her. The President has sought clarity on whether the apex court can impose timelines and lay down guidelines for the conduct of Governors and the President in dealing with State Bills submitted for their assent or consideration.
Ms. Murmu had invoked Article 143 of the Constitution on May 13 for a Presidential Reference, after the Supreme Court had deemed ten Bills awaiting Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s nod as having ‘received assent’. With this, President Murmu’s actions – assenting to one Bill, rejecting seven and not considering two – were voided. It also fixed time limits, of one to three months, for Governors to take action on future Bills.
