ARTICLE 143

CURRENT CONTEXT: The Supreme Court issued notices to the Union and all State Governments after a Presidential Reference by President Droupadi Murmu under Article 143(1).

• The reference seeks clarity on whether strict timelines can be imposed on Governors (Article 200) and the President (Article 201) for assenting to State Bills.

ABOUT ARTICLE 143:

• Grants the President of India the power to seek the opinion of the Supreme Court on important legal or factual questions.
• The President can act on this power with the advice of the Council of Ministers.
• The opinion given by the Supreme Court is advisory in nature and not binding on the President or Parliament.