GK Question

polity hard true_false

In SR Bommai case (1994), the Supreme Court held that the President's satisfaction under Article 356 for imposing President's Rule must be based on objective material and is subject to judicial review.

  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

SR Bommai safeguards on Article 356: (a) Presidential satisfaction must be based on objective material (e.g., Governor's report, Assembly proceedings, independent verification), not subjective opinion or political consideration, (b) Satisfaction subject to judicial review: Courts can examine if material relevant, if mala fide, if constitutional standards violated, (c) Floor test primary method to test majority; Governor cannot dismiss Ministry without testing majority on Assembly floor, (d) Assembly dissolution not automatic; can be revived if proclamation struck down, (e) Proclamation must be approved by Parliament within 2 months; if not, State government reinstated. Landmark judgment curbing arbitrary use of Article 356; strengthened federal balance by protecting State autonomy against political misuse while preserving Union power for genuine constitutional breakdown.

Topic Emergency Powers - Article 356 Presidential Satisfaction
Exam Relevance President's Rule judicial review critical for UPSC Mains and Judiciary exams