GK Question

polity hard mcq

During a National Emergency under Article 352, financial relations between Union and States can be modified under Article 354. Which of the following best describes this modification?

  1. Union can permanently take over State revenues
  2. President may modify revenue distribution, but modifications must be approved by Parliament and cease post-Emergency
  3. States lose all financial autonomy permanently
  4. Finance Commission recommendations become binding on Union

Answer: President may modify revenue distribution, but modifications must be approved by Parliament and cease post-Emergency

Financial relations during Emergency: (a) Article 354: During Emergency, President may modify distribution of revenues between Union and States (e.g., tax devolution, grants-in-aid), (b) Parliamentary approval: Modifications must be approved by Parliament within specified timeframe, (c) Temporal limitation: Modifications cease post-Emergency unless re-approved; federal fiscal normalcy restored, (d) Rationale: Enable coordinated fiscal response to crisis (e.g., war financing, disaster relief) while preserving Parliamentary oversight, State autonomy post-crisis, (e) Applications: (i) 1962, 1971 Emergencies: Fiscal adjustments for defence spending, resource mobilization, (ii) Post-Emergency: Modifications ceased; Finance Commission recommendations resumed normal operation, (f) Illustrates calibrated fiscal federalism: Enabling coordinated fiscal response to existential threats while preserving State autonomy through Parliamentary approval, time limits, sunset provisions.

Topic Article 352 - Effect on Financial Relations During Emergency
Exam Relevance Financial relations during Emergency critical for UPSC Mains and Judiciary exams