Under Article 356, a proclamation of President's Rule must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within ______ months, failing which the proclamation ceases to operate.
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Answer: 2
Article 356 Parliamentary approval: (a) Constitutional text: President's Rule proclamation must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within 2 months of issuance, (b) Majority requirement: Simple majority suffices for approval (not special majority as in Article 352), (c) Duration: If approved, President's Rule continues for 6 months; can be extended by Parliamentary resolution every 6 months, maximum 3 years (with conditions), (d) 44th Amendment safeguards (1978): (i) Extension beyond 1 year requires: (a) National Emergency in operation, or (b) Election Commission certification that elections cannot be held, (ii) Prevents indefinite President's Rule without genuine justification, (e) Applications: (i) Historical use: Article 356 used over 120 times; SR Bommai (1994) curbed political misuse, (ii) Post-1994: Duration more strictly monitored; floor test principle reinforced, (f) Illustrates democratic oversight: Parliamentary approval ensures President's Rule reflects democratic consensus, not executive whim; time limits prevent permanent centralization.