{"id":6492,"date":"2025-08-02T11:48:00","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T11:48:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/?p=6492"},"modified":"2025-08-04T06:40:10","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T06:40:10","slug":"ordinance-making-power","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/","title":{"rendered":"Ordinance Making Power of the President &amp; Governor"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><em>The <strong>Ordinance Making Power of President and Governors<\/strong> stands as a unique feature of the Indian constitution. While this power is intended as a tool for efficiency and necessity, it walks a tightrope between pragmatic governance and potential overreach. This article of Next IAS aims to explain the meaning of the ordinance, related constitutional provisions, their significance, and related issues.<\/em><\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_56_1 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-transparent ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#What_is_Ordinance\" title=\"What is Ordinance?\">What is Ordinance?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Constitutional_Provisions_Regarding_Ordinance_in_India\" title=\"Constitutional Provisions Regarding Ordinance in India\">Constitutional Provisions Regarding Ordinance in India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Ordinance_Making_Power_of_President\" title=\"Ordinance Making Power of President\">Ordinance Making Power of President<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Ordinance_Making_Power_of_Governor\" title=\"Ordinance Making Power of Governor\">Ordinance Making Power of Governor<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Comparison_between_Ordinance_Making_Powers_of_President_Governors\" title=\"Comparison between Ordinance Making Powers of President &amp; Governors\">Comparison between Ordinance Making Powers of President &amp; Governors<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Utilities_of_Ordinances\" title=\"Utilities of Ordinances\">Utilities of Ordinances<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Limitations_of_Ordinance_Making_Power\" title=\"Limitations of Ordinance Making Power\">Limitations of Ordinance Making Power<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Views_of_Supreme_Court_on_Repromulgation_of_Ordinances\" title=\"Views of Supreme Court on Repromulgation of Ordinances\">Views of Supreme Court on Repromulgation of Ordinances<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\" title=\"Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)\">Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3'><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#When_can_the_President_issue_an_Ordinance\" title=\"When can the President issue an Ordinance?\">When can the President issue an Ordinance?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#What_is_the_Validity_of_an_Ordinance\" title=\"What is the Validity of an Ordinance?\">What is the Validity of an Ordinance?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Is_Ordinance_a_Discretionary_Power_of_the_President\" title=\"Is Ordinance a Discretionary Power of the President?\">Is Ordinance a Discretionary Power of the President?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Is_Ordinance_Making_Power_Subject_to_Judicial_Review\" title=\"Is Ordinance Making Power Subject to Judicial Review?\">Is Ordinance Making Power Subject to Judicial Review?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#When_an_Ordinance_can_be_Passed\" title=\"When an Ordinance can be Passed?\">When an Ordinance can be Passed?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#How_many_times_Ordinance_can_be_issued\" title=\"How many times Ordinance can be issued?\">How many times Ordinance can be issued?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Which_article_of_the_Indian_Constitution_allows_the_President_to_promulgate_ordinances\" title=\"Which article of the Indian Constitution allows the President to promulgate ordinances?\">Which article of the Indian Constitution allows the President to promulgate ordinances?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Who_promulgates_ordinances_in_states\" title=\"Who promulgates ordinances in states?\">Who promulgates ordinances in states?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#What_is_the_ordinance_power_of_the_President\" title=\"What is the ordinance power of the President?\">What is the ordinance power of the President?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Who_approves_the_ordinance_issued_by_the_Governor\" title=\"Who approves the ordinance issued by the Governor?\">Who approves the ordinance issued by the Governor?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#Who_promulgates_ordinances_in_India\" title=\"Who promulgates ordinances in India?\">Who promulgates ordinances in India?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/ordinance-making-power\/#What_is_an_ordinance_in_Parliament\" title=\"What is an ordinance in Parliament?\">What is an ordinance in Parliament?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fa0f2f33c8adf60ad1b7cef4b79439a1\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_Ordinance\"><\/span><strong>What is Ordinance?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An <strong>Ordinance<\/strong>, within the context of governance and law, is <strong>a piece of legislation enacted by a non-legislative authority<\/strong>, often the executive branch of government, under specific circumstances.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The provision of the Ordinance is mainly <strong>aimed<\/strong> at enabling the executive to make laws when the legislature is not in session or when an <strong>urgent matter<\/strong> demands immediate attention.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An Ordinance, usually, has the same force and effect as an Act enacted by the legislative body. The only difference between the two is that while an <strong>Act<\/strong> is <strong>permanent<\/strong>, an Ordinance is of a <strong>temporary nature<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-428445bcc3be1bc19f41780627fc39f2\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Constitutional_Provisions_Regarding_Ordinance_in_India\"><\/span><strong>Constitutional Provisions Regarding Ordinance in India<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/constitution-of-india\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/constitution-of-india\/\"><strong>Constitution of India<\/strong><\/a> provides for the promulgation of ordinances making power by the President of India as well as the Governors of states. The constitutional provisions regarding the same are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 123:<\/strong> empowers the <strong>President<\/strong> to <strong>promulgate ordinances<\/strong> during the recess of Parliament.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Article 213:<\/strong> empowers the <strong>Governor<\/strong> to <strong>promulgate ordinances<\/strong> during the recess of the State Legislature.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>The <strong>ordinance making power of President and the ordinance making power of Governor <\/strong>are discussed in detail in the sections that follow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-e453f6a55c3a3ff030e1e7461a7f8f74\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ordinance_Making_Power_of_President\"><\/span><strong>Ordinance Making Power of President<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 123<\/strong> of the Constitution <strong>empowers the President to promulgate ordinances<\/strong> during the recess of Parliament.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Constitution puts the following <strong>four limitations <\/strong>on the ordinance making power of President.&nbsp;\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The President can promulgate an ordinance <strong>only when either both or one<\/strong> <strong>of the Houses <\/strong>of Parliament are\/is <strong>not in session.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An ordinance promulgated by the President <strong>when both the Houses are in session is void<\/strong>. Thus, the power of the President to promulgate ordinances is <strong>not a parallel power of legislation.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The president can promulgate an ordinance only when he is <strong>satisfied <\/strong>that the <strong>circumstances <\/strong>exist that render it <strong>necessary <\/strong>for him to take <strong>immediate action<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Except <\/strong>for <strong>duration<\/strong>, the ordinance making power of the President is <strong>coextensive <\/strong>with regard to all matters, <strong>with <\/strong>the<strong> legislative powers of the Parliament<\/strong>. Thus:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>An ordinance can be issued <strong>only <\/strong>on those <strong>subjects <\/strong>on which the <strong>Parliament has the power<\/strong> to make laws.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An ordinance is subject to the <strong>same constitutional limitation<\/strong> as an act of Parliament. Hence, an ordinance cannot abridge or take away any of the fundamental rights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Every ordinance promulgated by the President during the recess of Parliament <strong>must be laid before both the Houses<\/strong> of Parliament when it reassembles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>Parliament has the following three options<\/strong> w.r.t ordinance making power so brought before it:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Approve the Ordinance: If both houses of the Parliament approve the ordinance, it becomes an act immediately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Disapprove the Ordinance<\/strong>: If both the Houses of Parliament pass resolutions disapproving the ordinance, it<strong> ceases to operate immediately.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Take No Action:<\/strong> If no action is taken by the Parliament w.r.t. the ordinance, it <strong>ceases to operate on the expiry of six weeks from the<\/strong> <strong>reassembly <\/strong>of Parliament.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>If the Houses of Parliament are summoned to reassemble on different dates, the period of six weeks is calculated from the later of those dates.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thus, <strong>in case of non-approval<\/strong> by the Parliament, the <strong>maximum life of an ordinance<\/strong> can be <strong>six months and six weeks.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This is because the maximum possible gap between the sessions of the Parliament can be six months.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The following points are to be noted w.r.t. an ordinance making power promulgated by the President:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>If<\/strong> an ordinance is <strong>allowed to lapse<\/strong> without being placed before Parliament, then the <strong>acts done and completed<\/strong> under it, before it ceases to operate, <strong>remain fully valid and effective.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The President can <strong>promulgate <\/strong>as well as <strong>withdraw <\/strong>an ordinance at <strong>any time.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>However, it is to be noted that the ordinance making power of the President is <strong>not a discretionary power.<\/strong> He can <strong>promulgate <\/strong>or <strong>withdraw <\/strong>an ordinance <strong>only on the advice of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/union-council-of-ministers\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/union-council-of-ministers\/\">Union Council of Ministers (CoM)<\/a>.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Like any other legislation, an ordinance <strong>can be retrospective.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Thus, it may come into force from a back date.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>As far as the <strong>Scope of the Ordinance<\/strong> is concerned, it\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Can <\/strong>modify or repeal any act of Parliament or another ordinance.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Can <\/strong>amend a tax law.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Cannot <\/strong>amend the Constitution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-4c8e7b3c1f3100202d48ffa40ce9e402\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Ordinance_Making_Power_of_Governor\"><\/span><strong>Ordinance Making Power of Governor<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Article 213<\/strong> of the Indian Constitution <strong>empowers the Governor of the State to issue ordinances when the State Legislative Assembly<\/strong> (or either of the two Houses in states with bicameral legislatures) is not in session.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The ordinance making power of Governor is more or less similar to that of the ordinance making power of President. The same can be better understood by making a <strong>comparative study of the ordinance making power of Governors <\/strong>with that of the <strong>President<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1fa104ac5d10ed0b9df6892bfbf9a10d\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Comparison_between_Ordinance_Making_Powers_of_President_Governors\"><\/span><strong>Comparison between Ordinance Making Powers of President &amp; Governors<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The comparison between the ordinance making power of the President and Governor can be seen as follows:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Similarities<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><thead><tr><th><strong>President (Article 123)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Governor (Article 213)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>&#8211; He can promulgate an ordinance only when <strong>either both or one of the Houses<\/strong> of Parliament are\/is <strong>not in session.<\/strong><\/td><td>&#8211; He can promulgate an ordinance only when <strong>either both or one of the Houses<\/strong> of the State Legislative Assembly are\/is <strong>not in session<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8211; He can promulgate an ordinance only when he is satisfied that <strong>circumstances exist<\/strong> that render it necessary for him to take <strong>immediate action<\/strong>.<\/td><td>&#8211; He can promulgate an ordinance only when he is satisfied that <strong>circumstances exist<\/strong> which render it necessary for him to take <strong>immediate action.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8211; His ordinance making power is <strong>co-extensive<\/strong> with the legislative power of the <strong>Parliament<\/strong>.<br>&#8211; This means that he can issue ordinances <strong>only on<\/strong> <strong>those subjects<\/strong> on which the <strong>Parliament <\/strong>can make laws.<\/td><td>&#8211; His ordinance making power is <strong>co-extensive<\/strong> with the legislative power of the<strong> State Legislature.&nbsp;<\/strong><br>&#8211; This means that he can issue ordinances <strong>only on those subjects<\/strong> on which the <strong>State Legislature<\/strong> can make laws.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8211; An ordinance issued by him has the <strong>same force and effect<\/strong> as an Act of the <strong>Parliament<\/strong>.<\/td><td>&#8211; An ordinance issued by him has the <strong>same force and effect<\/strong> as an Act of the <strong>State Legislature.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8211; An ordinance issued by him is subject to the <strong>same limitations<\/strong> as an Act of <strong>Parliament<\/strong>.<br>&#8211; This means that an ordinance issued by him will be invalid to the extent it makes any provision that the Parliament cannot make.<\/td><td>&#8211; An ordinance issued by him\/her is subject to the <strong>same limitations<\/strong> as an act of the <strong>State Legislature.<\/strong><br>&#8211; This means that an ordinance issued by him will be invalid to the extent it makes any provision that the State Legislature cannot make.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8211; He <strong>can withdraw<\/strong> an ordinance at <strong>any time.<\/strong><\/td><td>&#8211; He <strong>can withdraw<\/strong> an ordinance at <strong>any time.<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8211; His ordinance making power is <strong>not a discretionary power.<\/strong> This means that he can promulgate or withdraw an ordinance <strong>only on the advice of the Council of Ministers <\/strong>headed by the Prime Minister.<\/td><td>&#8211; His ordinance making power is <strong>not a discretionary power<\/strong>. This means that he can promulgate or withdraw an ordinance <strong>only on the advice of the Council of Ministers<\/strong> headed by the Chief Minister.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8211; An ordinance <strong>should be laid before<\/strong> both the Houses of <strong>Parliament <\/strong>when it reassembles.<\/td><td>&#8211; An ordinance issued by him <strong>should be laid before the Legislative Assembly <\/strong>or both the Houses of the State Legislature (in case of a bicameral legislature) when it reassembles.<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>&#8211; An ordinance issued by him <strong>ceases to operate on the expiry of six weeks<\/strong> from the reassembly of Parliament. It may cease to operate even earlier than the prescribed six weeks if both Houses of Parliament pass resolutions disapproving it.<\/td><td>&#8211; An ordinance issued by him <strong>ceases to operate on the expiry of six weeks <\/strong>from the reassembly of the State Legislature. It may cease to operate even earlier than the prescribed six weeks if a resolution disapproving it is passed by the Legislative Assembly and is agreed to by the Legislative Council (in case of a bicameral legislature).<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td class=\"has-text-align-center\" data-align=\"center\"><strong>Difference(s)<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><thead><tr><th><strong>President (Article 123)<\/strong><\/th><th><strong>Governor (Article 213)<\/strong><\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>&#8211; He <strong>needs no instruction<\/strong> to make an ordinance.<\/td><td>&#8211; He <strong>cannot make<\/strong> an ordinance <strong>without instructions from<\/strong> the <strong>President in three cases:<\/strong><br>&#8211; If a bill containing the same provisions would have required the previous sanction of the President for its introduction into the State Legislature.<br>&#8211; If he would have deemed it necessary to reserve a bill containing the same provisions for the consideration of the President.<br>&#8211; If an act of the State Legislature containing the same provisions would have been invalid without receiving the President\u2019s assent.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-918ed19389a169e5d6cc30ac94e8d9a3\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Utilities_of_Ordinances\"><\/span><strong>Utilities of Ordinances<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The utility of ordinance making power can be seen as follows:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Emergency Measure<\/strong>: It is a much-needed emergency measure in the hands of the executive to meet any unforeseen situation or an urgent matter. It allows the executive to respond promptly to such matters without waiting for the regular legislative process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unobstructed Governance<\/strong>: There may be instances where certain bills have been adequately deliberated upon in the Legislature, but could not be passed due to the obstructionist approach of the opposition. Promulgation of the ordinance ensures unobstructed governance in such cases.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-d7cf69d61b353f5ad7a186b7d9714c57\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Limitations_of_Ordinance_Making_Power\"><\/span><strong>Limitations of Ordinance Making Power<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The limitations of ordinance making power can be seen as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Violates Separation of Powers<\/strong>: As per the scheme of powers envisaged in the Indian Constitution, the law-making lies in the domain of the Legislature. By allowing the Executive to enter into the Legislature\u2019s domain, the provisions for the ordinance violate the principle of separation of powers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Undermines Democratic Principles<\/strong>: At times, the executive takes the ordinance route to avoid debate and deliberations in the legislature on contentious legislative proposals. This undermines the democratic principles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Misuse<\/strong>: There have been instances of <strong>successive re-promulgation<\/strong> of ordinances, without making any effort to table the corresponding bill in the Legislature.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As observed by the <strong>Supreme Court in the D.C. Wadhwa Case,<\/strong> during the period of 1967-98, <strong>some ordinances in Bihar<\/strong> were <strong>kept in<\/strong> <strong>force for 14 years<\/strong> by successive re-promulgation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fear of Ordinance Raj<\/strong>: Frequent issuance and re-issuance of ordinances create an atmosphere of &#8216;Ordinance Raj&#8217;, where the executive relies on ordinances rather than engaging in meaningful legislative processes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Vague Provisions<\/strong>: As per the constitutional provisions, the President or the Governors can issue an ordinance only when he is satisfied that circumstances exist which render it necessary for him to take immediate action. However, with no clear demarcation of urgent circumstances, the Executive has been taking regular reliance on this power instead of treating it as a last resort. Such examples are:-\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Securities Laws (Amendment) Ordinance, 2014<\/strong>: This ordinance was re-promulgated for the third time during the term of the 15th Lok Sabha which raised concerns about the circumvention of the legislative process and the lack of parliamentary scrutiny.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Indian Medical Council (Amendment) Ordinance, 2010<\/strong>: This ordinance was re-promulgated four times, indicating a persistent disregard for judicial pronouncements and democratic norms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-97df52c3c581d9281d08ed1b7ba8d791\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Views_of_Supreme_Court_on_Repromulgation_of_Ordinances\"><\/span><strong>Views of Supreme Court on Repromulgation of Ordinances<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/supreme-court\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/supreme-court\/\"><strong>Supreme Court<\/strong><\/a> has expressed its stance on the promulgation and re-promulgation of ordinances in various cases. Some of the prominent such cases are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>RC Cooper vs. Union of India Case (1970)<\/strong>: In this case, the Supreme Court held that the <strong>President\u2019s satisfaction<\/strong> regarding the \u2018existence of a circumstance that renders it necessary to promulgate an ordinance\u2019 <strong>can be challenged in a court of law.<\/strong> Thus, the President\u2019s satisfaction is <strong>not immune from judicial review.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>DC Wadhwa vs. State of Bihar Case (1987)<\/strong>: In this case, the court condemned the practice of <strong>re-promulgating ordinances,<\/strong> labelling it as a <strong>&#8216;fraud&#8217; on the Constitution<\/strong>. It rules that the Executive\u2019s power to promulgate ordinances is <strong>to be used sparingly only in exceptional circumstances<\/strong>. It is <strong>not a substitute for the legislative power <\/strong>of the legislature.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Krishna Kumar Singh vs. State of Bihar Case (2017):<\/strong> In this case, the Supreme Court <strong>reiterated <\/strong>that the <strong>authority to issue ordinances is not absolute<\/strong> but <strong>conditional <\/strong>upon the satisfaction that <strong>circumstances necessitate immediate action<\/strong>. The court emphasized that the re-promulgation of ordinances is unconstitutional and undermines the democratic process, highlighting the need for adherence to constitutional principles and norms.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>In conclusion, while the Ordinance Making Power is a desirable tool in the hands of the government, it must be used with caution. Balancing the need for addressing urgent matters with the imperatives of the doctrine of separation of powers is crucial. Only through such a balance can the Ordinance Making Power serve its intended purpose without undermining the democratic foundations it seeks to protect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#fff2cc\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>The Doctrine of Colorable Legislation<br><\/strong><br>This doctrine means that if a legislature lacks the jurisdiction to enact laws on a specific subject directly, it cannot make laws on it indirectly. This doctrine came into existence to check the transgression of legislative authorities.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-618812723183593a2c916a1fd5800128\" style=\"color:#015aa7\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Frequently_Asked_Questions_FAQs\"><\/span><strong>Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n<div id=\"rank-math-faq\" class=\"rank-math-block\">\n<div class=\"rank-math-list \">\n<div id=\"faq-question-1710761788897\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_can_the_President_issue_an_Ordinance\"><\/span><strong>When can the President issue an Ordinance?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The President can issue an ordinance when either of the House or both the Houses of Parliament are not in session.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1710761801286\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_Validity_of_an_Ordinance\"><\/span><strong>What is the Validity of an Ordinance?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The maximum validity of an ordinance is 6 months and 6 weeks. An ordinance will expire after 6 weeks once both houses of the Parliament are in session.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1710761812867\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Ordinance_a_Discretionary_Power_of_the_President\"><\/span><strong>Is Ordinance a Discretionary Power of the President?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The power of the President to issue ordinances is not discretionary. The ordinance can be passed on the recommendations and advice of the Council of Ministers which is headed by the Prime Minister.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1710761823054\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Is_Ordinance_Making_Power_Subject_to_Judicial_Review\"><\/span><strong>Is Ordinance Making Power Subject to Judicial Review?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Yes, the ordinance making power is subject to judicial review on the grounds of malafide.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1710761851030\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"When_an_Ordinance_can_be_Passed\"><\/span><strong>When an Ordinance can be Passed?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The ordinances can be passed by the President\/Governor of India when the Parliament\/State Legislature is not in session.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1710761865678\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_many_times_Ordinance_can_be_issued\"><\/span><strong>How many times Ordinance can be issued?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>There is no specific limit on the number of ordinances that can be issued by the President\/Governor.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1733233564709\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Which_article_of_the_Indian_Constitution_allows_the_President_to_promulgate_ordinances\"><\/span><strong>Which article of the Indian Constitution allows the President to promulgate ordinances?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Article 123 of the Indian Constitution allows the President to promulgate ordinances when Parliament is not in session.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1733233574957\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_promulgates_ordinances_in_states\"><\/span><strong>Who promulgates ordinances in states?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The Governor of a state promulgates ordinances under Article 213 of the Indian Constitution when the state legislature is not in session.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1733233586596\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_the_ordinance_power_of_the_President\"><\/span><strong>What is the ordinance power of the President?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The ordinance power of the President under Article 123 enables the President to make laws when immediate action is required, provided both Houses of Parliament are not in session. These ordinances must be approved by Parliament within six weeks of reassembly to remain valid.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1733233599589\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_approves_the_ordinance_issued_by_the_Governor\"><\/span><strong>Who approves the ordinance issued by the Governor?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>The ordinance issued by the Governor must be approved by the state legislature within six weeks of its reassembly to continue as a law.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1733233610229\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Who_promulgates_ordinances_in_India\"><\/span><strong>Who promulgates ordinances in India?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>Ordinances in India are promulgated by the President at the central level and by the Governor at the state level when the respective legislative bodies are not in session.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"faq-question-1733233622045\" class=\"rank-math-list-item\">\n<h3 class=\"rank-math-question \"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_is_an_ordinance_in_Parliament\"><\/span><strong>What is an ordinance in Parliament?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<div class=\"rank-math-answer \">\n\n<p>An ordinance in Parliament refers to a temporary law promulgated by the President when the legislature is not in session and immediate legislative action is necessary. It has the same force and effect as an act of Parliament but requires ratification by Parliament within a specified time frame to remain effective.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Ordinance Making Power of President and Governors stands as a unique feature of the Indian constitution.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":8202,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[64],"tags":[71],"class_list":["post-6492","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-polity","tag-gs-2"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6492","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6492"}],"version-history":[{"count":23,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6492\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":19976,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6492\/revisions\/19976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/8202"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6492"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6492"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6492"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}