GK Question

polity hard fill_blank

In SR Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court emphasized that Governor's report recommending President's Rule must promote constitutional adaptation by enabling crisis response while preserving ______ identity.

  1. political
  2. constitutional
  3. administrative
  4. executive

Answer: constitutional

Constitutional adaptation under SR Bommai: (a) Context: Challenge to President's Rule imposition violating constitutional adaptation, (b) Supreme Court holding: (i) Governor's report must promote constitutional adaptation: Enabling crisis response while preserving constitutional identity, (ii) Constitutional breakdown narrowly defined: Genuine inability to function in accordance with Constitution, not mere political instability, (iii) Judicial review: Courts examine whether report promotes constitutional adaptation, not just procedural compliance, (c) Applications: (i) Post-1994: Courts more willing to strike down Article 356 proclamations violating constitutional adaptation, (ii) Federal balance: Protects State autonomy against arbitrary Centre overreach via gubernatorial discretion, (d) Rationale: (i) Democratic legitimacy: Elected State governments represent people's will; Article 356 exceptional measure, not routine tool, (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: Constitutional adaptation requirement protects State autonomy; judicial review ensures Article 356 used for genuine crises, not political convenience.

Topic Article 356 - Governor's Report and Constitutional Adaptation
Exam Relevance Constitutional adaptation under Article 356 critical for UPSC Mains and Judiciary exams
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