Actual Article
Article 86: Right of President to address and send messages to Houses
- Presidential Address:
- The President may address either House of Parliament or both Houses assembled together and for that purpose require the attendance of members.
- Presidential Messages:
- The President may send messages to either House of Parliament, whether with respect to a bill then pending in Parliament or otherwise, and a House to which any message is so sent shall with all convenient dispatch consider any matter required by the message to be taken into consideration.
UPSC Notes for Article 86
Explanation:
- Right to Address: The President can address either House of Parliament or both Houses together, thereby communicating important information and policies directly to the legislature.
- Sending Messages: The President can send messages to either House of Parliament regarding any pending bill or other matters, prompting the House to consider the message promptly.
Key Points:
- Direct Communication: Article 86 allows the President to communicate directly with Parliament, ensuring that important issues and messages are conveyed efficiently.
- Prompt Consideration: When the President sends a message to either House, it is required to consider the matter promptly, ensuring that presidential communications are given due importance.
Important Cases and Commissions Related to Article 86
Cases:
- Ramdas Athawale vs. Union of India (2010): Though not directly about Article 86, this case discussed the President’s role and powers in the context of parliamentary proceedings, highlighting the importance of presidential messages and addresses.
- S.P. Anand vs. H.D. Deve Gowda (1996): This case touched upon the roles and responsibilities of the President in parliamentary affairs, indirectly reflecting on the President’s communication powers.
Commissions:
- National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (NCRWC) (2002): Suggested measures to enhance the effectiveness of presidential addresses and messages, ensuring better communication between the executive and the legislature.
- Sarkaria Commission: Recommended clearer guidelines for the President’s interaction with Parliament, emphasizing the importance of Article 86 in maintaining executive-legislative relations.
Previous Year Prelims Questions Related to Article 86
- (UPSC Prelims 2013) The President’s address to Parliament is a part of which constitutional provision?
- A. Article 72
- B. Article 86
- C. Article 110
- D. Article 112 Correct Answer: B. Article 86
- (UPSC Prelims 2018) The President can send messages to either House of Parliament with respect to:
- A. A bill then pending in Parliament
- B. Any matter requiring immediate attention
- C. Only budget-related issues
- D. Both A and B Correct Answer: D. Both A and B
Previous Year Mains Questions Related to Article 86
- Mains 2015: “Discuss the significance of the President’s right to address and send messages to Parliament as per Article 86. How does this provision ensure effective communication between the executive and the legislature?”
- Mains 2018: “Analyze the role of the President’s addresses and messages in the legislative process. How does Article 86 facilitate the functioning of parliamentary democracy in India?”
Additional Insights:
- Symbolic and Practical Role: The President’s address and messages serve both symbolic and practical roles, reinforcing the importance of executive-legislative dialogue.
- Annual and Special Addresses: The President addresses a joint session of Parliament at the beginning of the first session after each general election and at the first session of each year, outlining the government’s policies and priorities.
- Legislative Responsiveness: By requiring prompt consideration of presidential messages, Article 86 ensures that the legislature responds to executive communications efficiently.
Understanding Article 86 is crucial for UPSC aspirants as it highlights the mechanisms for direct communication between the President and Parliament, ensuring that key issues are conveyed and considered effectively. This knowledge is essential for both preliminary and main examinations, offering a comprehensive understanding of the roles and interactions within India’s parliamentary democracy.