What is Article 356 of the Indian Constitution?
Historical Background
Key Points
15 points- 1.
The core provision of Article 356 allows the President to issue a proclamation assuming all or any of the functions of the state government. This means the Governor, acting on behalf of the President, effectively runs the state. The state legislature can be suspended or dissolved.
- 2.
The President can declare that the powers of the State Legislature shall be exercisable by or under the authority of Parliament. This means that laws for the state can be made by the Parliament.
- 3.
A proclamation under Article 356 must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months. If approved, it remains in force for six months. If it is not approved within two months, it ceases to operate.
- 4.
The maximum period for which President's Rule can be imposed is three years, and this requires parliamentary approval every six months. However, beyond one year, it can only be extended if the Election Commission certifies that elections cannot be held in the state.
Recent Real-World Examples
1 examplesIllustrated in 1 real-world examples from Feb 2026 to Feb 2026
Source Topic
Redefining Federalism: Compact Based on Non-Domination for Cooperative Governance
Polity & GovernanceUPSC Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
121. What's the most common MCQ trap regarding the timeline for parliamentary approval of President's Rule?
Students often confuse the approval timeline. A proclamation imposing President's Rule must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months from the date of its issue. The trap is often setting the timeline to one month or three months. Also, remember that if Lok Sabha is dissolved during those two months, then it needs to be approved in the first sitting of the new Lok Sabha.
Exam Tip
Remember 'two months' for parliamentary approval. Visualize 'two' Houses of Parliament needing to act within 'two' months.
2. Why does President's Rule exist – what specific problem does it solve that no other constitutional mechanism addresses?
President's Rule addresses the failure of constitutional machinery in a state, meaning a situation where the state government is unable to function according to the Constitution. This is distinct from financial emergency (Article 360) or external aggression (Article 355). It provides a mechanism for the central government to step in when the state government can't maintain order or govern effectively, such as during severe political instability or breakdown of law and order.
