Article 143(1) of the Constitution allows the President to seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on matters of legal and public importance. In a rare move, the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, has invoked Article 143(1) of the Constitution of India to send a reference to the Supreme Court. This follows the Court’s recent ruling which set timelines for Governors and the President to grant assent to bills passed by legislatures. Under Article 143(1), the President may seek the Supreme Court’s opinion on questions of law or matters of public importance. Now, the Supreme Court must constitute a Constitution Bench to consider and answer the reference.

President Murmu has specifically raised concerns over the Supreme Court’s direction that deemed assent would apply if the timelines set for granting assent are not met. The reference argues that the concept of "deemed assent" for the President and Governors is alien to the constitutional framework and significantly restricts their powers. She has submitted 14 specific questions to the Supreme Court, emphasizing that Articles 200 and 201 of the Constitution—which deal with the assent to bills by Governors and the President—do not prescribe any time limits or specific procedures.