New Delhi: The Supreme Court has ruled that the President of India must take a decision within three months on any bill passed by a state legislature and sent for assent by Governor. If the President's decision is delayed beyond this timeframe, the reasons for the delay must be communicated to the state government in writing, the Court stated.

The apex court also clarified that if the President withholds assent to a bill reserved by a Governor, the state government has the right to challenge this action before the Supreme Court.

This is the first time the apex court has set a specific time frame for the President to act on bills under Article 201 of the Constitution. While the Article outlines the procedural steps after a Governor reserves a bill for the President’s consideration, it does not provide a time limit for the decision-making process.

The Supreme Court cited the recommendations of the Sarkaria and Punchhi Commissions and the guidelines of the Central Government, which emphasise that the President’s decision should not be unduly delayed. Accordingly, the bench comprising Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan held that a delay by a constitutional authority, without valid reason, can be subject to judicial scrutiny.

The judgment came during a case concerning ten bills passed by the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly, which were stalled and reserved by Governor R N Ravi for the President's consideration. The Court described this act as "illegal and erroneous in law".

The judgment was delivered in open court on April 8, and the full text was uploaded to the Supreme Court’s website at midnight on April 11. The Court directed that a copy of the verdict be sent to the Principal Secretaries of all State Governors and the High Courts across the country.

The Court also set timelines for Governors to act on bills. If the Governor decides to send the bill back to the Assembly or forward it to the President based on the advice of the state cabinet, it must be done within one month. If the Governor withholds assent to a bill against the advice of the state council of ministers, the bill must be returned with a message within three months. If a bill is re-presented to the Governor after reconsideration by the Assembly (under the first provison to Article 200), the Governor must grant assent within one month, treating it as a formal obligation.