SC states it cannot impose timelines on President and Governors
Following a series of marathon hearings, the Supreme Court on Thursday (November 20, 2025) pronounced its opinion advisory on whether it can “impose” timelines on the President and State Governors for acting on Bills passed by State Legislatures.
The unanimous opinion was that the concept of ‘deemed assent’ is alien to the Constitution.
The Supreme Court’s opinion noted that timelines cannot be imposed on the President or Governors to decide on pending Bills, however they will take a decision in a “reasonable time”.
Governors cannot sit on Bill endlessly; if so, limited judicial review kicks in. In September, the five-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India B.R. Gavai had reserved judgment and made it clear that the Centre should not expect the apex court to “sit idle” and powerless if a constitutional authority failed to discharge its duties.
The Union Government had used the platform of the Presidential Reference, made in May, to question the Supreme Court for encroaching on the domains of the Governors and the President.
The bone of contention was an April 8 judgment which imposed a three-month deadline on dealing with Bills placed for assent or consideration.