GK Question

polity medium fill_blank

Under Article 352, a National Emergency approved by Parliament continues for ______ months unless renewed by Parliamentary resolution, ensuring periodic democratic review.

  1. 3
  2. 6
  3. 9
  4. 12

Answer: 6

Emergency duration and renewal: (a) Constitutional text: If approved by Parliament, Emergency continues for 6 months, (b) Renewal mechanism: Can be extended indefinitely by Parliamentary resolution every 6 months, (c) 44th Amendment safeguards (1978): (i) Special majority required for approval/renewal, (ii) One-tenth of Lok Sabha members can requisition special meeting to consider revocation, (iii) Prevents indefinite Emergency without ongoing democratic consent, (d) Rationale: (i) Democratic oversight: Periodic renewal ensures Emergency reflects ongoing democratic consensus, not executive whim, (ii) Political accountability: Government must justify Emergency continuation to Parliament, people, (iii) Prevent misuse: Prevents ruling party from imposing indefinite Emergency without broad support, (e) Applications: (i) Post-1978: No National Emergency proclaimed, reflecting effectiveness of safeguards, (ii) Political accountability: Enhances democratic legitimacy of Emergency measures, (f) Illustrates democratic oversight: Periodic renewal ensures Emergency subject to continuous democratic scrutiny; balance between crisis response capacity and prevention of political misuse.

Topic Article 352 - Emergency Duration and Renewal
Exam Relevance Emergency duration and renewal frequently asked in UPSC Prelims and SSC exams