The Constitution of India
Article 86
Right of President to address and send messages to Houses
(1) The President may address either House of Parliament or both Houses assembled together, and for that purpose require the attendance of members.
(2) 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 despatch consider any matter required by the message to be taken into consideration
Why this exists
This Article gives the President, as the constitutional head of the Union, a formal channel to communicate directly with Parliament — either through a live address or a written message — so that the executive's views or concerns can be placed before the legislature. It mirrors the President's annual address under Article 87 and draws on parliamentary traditions from Britain and other Commonwealth countries, where the head of state formally opens sessions or communicates with the legislature.
Common misconceptions
- Myth: The President's address or message under Article 86 lets her directly control what laws Parliament passes.
Fact: Article 86 only gives the President the power to speak or send messages to Parliament; it does not give her power to decide or vote on legislation. Under India's parliamentary system, she acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers (Article 74). - Myth: The President often personally decides to send messages to Parliament under Article 86(2).
Fact: In practice, this power is rarely used and, like other presidential powers, would ordinarily be exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers rather than the President's personal discretion.