In SR Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court held that Governor should conduct floor test before sending report recommending President's Rule, ensuring democratic verification of loss of majority.

Floor test timing under SR Bommai: (a) Context: Challenge to President's Rule imposition without floor test in multiple States, (b) Supreme Court holding: (i) Governor should conduct floor test before sending report recommending President's Rule, (ii) Floor test ensures democratic verification: Elected representatives, not appointed Governor, decide government fate, (iii) Governor cannot send report based on subjective assessment, media reports, political considerations without floor test, (c) Applications: (i) Post-1994: Courts more willing to strike down Article 356 proclamations without floor test, (ii) Federal balance: Protects State autonomy against arbitrary Centre overreach via gubernatorial discretion, (d) Rationale: (i) Democratic legitimacy: Elected Assembly represents people's will; floor test ensures Ministry reflects Assembly majority, (ii) Constitutional morality: Governor as constitutional functionary, not political agent, (iii) Judicial oversight: Courts ensure Article 356 used for genuine constitutional breakdown, not political ends, (e) Illustrates constitutional federalism: Floor test before report ensures State governments reflect Assembly majority; judicial review protects State autonomy against arbitrary Centre overreach.