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Article 143

Part V — The Union · Constitution of India

Article 143

Power of President to consult Supreme Court. (1) If at any time it appears to the President that a question of law or fact has arisen, or is likely to arise, which is of such a nature and of such public importance that it is expedient to obtain the opinion of the Supreme Court upon it, he may refer the question to that Court for consideration and the Court may, after such hearing as it thinks fit, report to the President its opinion thereon. ​ (2) The President may, notwithstanding anything in the proviso to article 131, refer a dispute of the kind mentioned in the said proviso to the Supreme Court for opinion and the Supreme Court shall, after such hearing as it thinks fit, report to the President its opinion thereon.

In plain wordsThe President can ask the Supreme Court for its opinion on any question of law or fact of public importance, and the Court reports its view back. This advisory route lets the government test a big legal question, such as a dispute or a proposed course of action, without waiting for someone to file a case.
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