GK Question

polity medium true_false

President's Rule under Article 356 can remain in force for a maximum period of three years, subject to Parliamentary approval every six months, and extensions beyond one year require National Emergency in India/State and Election Commission certification that elections cannot be held.

  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

President's Rule duration safeguards (44th Amendment, 1978): (a) Initial period: 6 months from Parliamentary approval, (b) Extension: Can be extended by Parliamentary approval every 6 months, (c) Maximum duration: 3 years total, (d) Extensions beyond 1 year require: (i) National Emergency in India or that State (Article 352), AND (ii) Election Commission certification that elections cannot be held due to security/administrative constraints, (e) Rationale: Prevent indefinite suspension of State democracy; ensure return to normalcy, (f) Historical use: Article 356 used over 120 times; SR Bommai (1994) curbed political misuse. Illustrates federal safeguards: temporary Union intervention for genuine breakdown, not political convenience.

Topic State Emergency - Duration and Extension
Exam Relevance President's Rule duration procedure frequently asked in UPSC Prelims and SSC CGL