GK Question

polity medium fill_blank

During President's Rule under Article 356, the State Legislative Assembly may be suspended or dissolved; if suspended, it can be revived if the Proclamation is revoked, but if dissolved, fresh ______ must be held to constitute new Assembly.

  1. referendum
  2. elections
  3. appointments
  4. nominations

Answer: elections

State Legislature during President's Rule: (a) Article 356(1)(a): President may declare that State Legislature powers shall be exercisable by Parliament, (b) Assembly status options: (i) Suspended: Not dissolved; can be revived if Proclamation revoked (SR Bommai principle), (ii) Dissolved: Ceases to exist; fresh elections required to constitute new Assembly, (c) SR Bommai safeguard: Dissolution not automatic; Governor/President must justify based on objective material; courts can revive Assembly if Proclamation invalidated, (d) Rationale: Balance between administrative necessity (dissolution if no viable government possible) and democratic restoration (suspension allows revival if crisis resolved), (e) Practice: Post-SR Bommai, dissolution less frequent; courts emphasize floor test over gubernatorial assessment. Illustrates federal-democratic balance: temporary Union intervention with clear path to State democratic restoration.

Topic Emergency Powers - Article 356 State Legislature Status
Exam Relevance President's Rule legislative procedure frequently asked in UPSC and State PSC exams