State Emergency Practice Questions
20 free State Emergency practice questions for the Indian Polity. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is 'President's Rule' imposed in a State?
- A Article 352
- B Article 356
- C Article 360
- D Article 365
Correct answer: Article 356
Article 356 empowers the President to issue a proclamation if he is satisfied that a situation has arisen in which the government of a state cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. It is commonly known as President's Rule.
Article 365 provides a specific ground for the imposition of President's Rule. What is it?
- A Armed rebellion within the state
- B Failure to comply with Union directions
- C A hung assembly after elections
- D Internal disturbance not amounting to rebellion
Correct answer: Failure to comply with Union directions
According to Article 365, whenever a state fails to comply with or give effect to any direction from the Centre, it is lawful for the President to hold that a situation has arisen in which the state government cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution.
A proclamation imposing President's Rule must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within what period?
- A One month
- B Two months
- C Six months
- D One year
Correct answer: Two months
A proclamation issued under Article 356 must be approved by both the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha within two months from the date of its issue. If the Lok Sabha is dissolved, the proclamation survives for 30 days after the first sitting of the reconstituted house.
What is the maximum period for which President's Rule can be extended in a state under normal circumstances (subject to periodic approval)?
- A One year
- B Two years
- C Three years
- D Indefinite
Correct answer: Three years
President's Rule can be extended for a maximum period of three years with the approval of Parliament every six months. Beyond three years, a constitutional amendment is required to continue the emergency in that specific state.
The 44th Amendment Act (1978) introduced a constraint on extending President's Rule beyond one year. Which condition must be met for such an extension?
- A The Governor must certify the need in writing
- B A National Emergency must be in operation or the Election Commission must certify election difficulties
- C The State Legislative Assembly must be dissolved
- D A special majority in both Houses of Parliament
Correct answer: A National Emergency must be in operation or the Election Commission must certify election difficulties
Beyond one year, President's Rule can only be extended if a National Emergency is in operation in the whole of India/State, or the Election Commission certifies that elections to the Legislative Assembly cannot be held.
When President's Rule is imposed, what happens to the State Legislative Assembly?
- A It is always dissolved immediately
- B It is always suspended
- C It is either suspended or dissolved by the President
- D It continues to function but cannot pass money bills
Correct answer: It is either suspended or dissolved by the President
The President may either suspend or dissolve the state legislative assembly. If suspended, the assembly can be reactivated later; if dissolved, fresh elections must be held to form a new government.
Which landmark Supreme Court case laid down comprehensive guidelines for the imposition of Article 356 to prevent its misuse?
- A Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973)
- B Minerva Mills Case (1980)
- C S.R. Bommai Case (1994)
- D Indira Gandhi vs. Raj Narain Case (1975)
Correct answer: S.R. Bommai Case (1994)
In the S.R. Bommai case, the Supreme Court ruled that the power under Article 356 is subject to judicial review and that the assembly should not be dissolved until Parliament approves the proclamation.
In the event of President's Rule, who typically carries on the administration of the state on behalf of the President?
- A The Chief Minister
- B The Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- C The Governor, assisted by the Chief Secretary or advisors
- D The Union Home Minister
Correct answer: The Governor, assisted by the Chief Secretary or advisors
During President's Rule, the Governor executes the executive functions of the state on behalf of the President. He is usually assisted by the state's Chief Secretary or advisors appointed by the President.
What is the requirement for the parliamentary resolution approving the proclamation of President's Rule?
- A Special majority in both Houses
- B Simple majority in both Houses
- C Simple majority in Lok Sabha and Special majority in Rajya Sabha
- D Special majority in Lok Sabha only
Correct answer: Simple majority in both Houses
Unlike a National Emergency, which requires a special majority, a resolution approving the proclamation of President's Rule or its renewal can be passed by a simple majority of either House of Parliament.
When President's Rule is in operation, who is empowered to make laws for the state?
- A The Governor
- B The Parliament
- C The President exclusively
- D The State Legislative Council
Correct answer: The Parliament
When the state legislature is suspended or dissolved, the Parliament is conferred the power to make laws for the state. The Parliament can also delegate this power to the President.
Which of the following is NOT a valid ground for the imposition of President's Rule as per the S.R. Bommai guidelines?
- A Constitutional direction being disregarded by the state
- B A situation of 'Hung Assembly'
- C Internal disturbances not leading to the breakdown of constitutional machinery
- D The state government acting against secularism
Correct answer: Internal disturbances not leading to the breakdown of constitutional machinery
The Supreme Court held that Article 356 cannot be invoked for internal disturbances that do not lead to a breakdown of constitutional machinery. Maladministration or allegations of corruption against the ministry are also not valid grounds.
A law made for a state by the Parliament during President's Rule:
- A Becomes inoperative immediately after the rule ends
- B Continues to be operative even after the rule ends until repealed
- C Is valid only for six months after the rule ends
- D Must be ratified by the new State Assembly within 30 days
Correct answer: Continues to be operative even after the rule ends until repealed
Laws made by Parliament or the President during President's Rule do not become inoperative on the expiry of the proclamation. They continue to stay in force until repealed, altered, or amended by the State Legislature.
Can the President take over the powers of the State High Court during President's Rule?
- A Yes, under Article 356
- B Yes, but only with the consent of the Chief Justice of India
- C No, the President cannot suspend the powers of the High Court
- D Only if the High Court is unable to function
Correct answer: No, the President cannot suspend the powers of the High Court
Article 356 specifically states that the President cannot assume to himself any of the powers vested in or exercisable by a High Court, nor can he suspend the operation of any provision of the Constitution relating to High Courts.
Which state has seen the maximum number of impositions of President's Rule since independence?
- A Punjab
- B Kerala
- C Uttar Pradesh
- D Manipur
Correct answer: Manipur
As of recent counts, Manipur has experienced the highest frequency of President's Rule impositions. Uttar Pradesh and Punjab have also seen a high number of instances since 1950.
In 1951, President's Rule was imposed for the first time in which state?
- A Punjab
- B Pepsu (Patiala and East Punjab States Union)
- C Andhra Pradesh
- D West Bengal
Correct answer: Punjab
The first instance of President's Rule was in Punjab in 1951. It was necessitated due to internal dissensions within the state Congress party, leading to a breakdown in stable governance.
Which Article of the Constitution ensures that the Union has a duty to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance?
- A Article 352
- B Article 355
- C Article 356
- D Article 358
Correct answer: Article 355
Article 355 imposes a duty on the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every state is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.
What happens if a proclamation under Article 356 is not approved by Parliament within two months?
- A It continues until the President revokes it
- B It automatically lapses
- C The Supreme Court must decide its validity
- D The Governor takes over as the sole authority indefinitely
Correct answer: It automatically lapses
The proclamation ceases to operate (lapses) at the expiration of two months unless it has been approved by resolutions of both Houses of Parliament before that period ends.
The President's power to revoke a proclamation of President's Rule:
- A Requires parliamentary approval
- B Does not require parliamentary approval
- C Requires the recommendation of the Governor
- D Can only be done after six months
Correct answer: Does not require parliamentary approval
A proclamation of President's Rule can be revoked by the President at any time by a subsequent proclamation. Such a revocation does not require the approval of Parliament.
The scope of judicial review for President's Rule extends to which of the following?
- A The wisdom of the President's decision
- B The adequacy of the material before the President
- C Whether the material was relevant and not malafide
- D The political motives of the Union Cabinet
Correct answer: Whether the material was relevant and not malafide
Judicial review does not question the 'adequacy' of the material but checks if the material used by the President was 'relevant' to the breakdown of machinery and that the decision was not based on 'malafide' or extraneous grounds.
If the Supreme Court finds the imposition of Article 356 unconstitutional, what can it do?
- A Only reprimand the Union Government
- B Order fresh elections immediately
- C Restore the dismissed state government and the dissolved assembly
- D Nothing, as the President's act is final
Correct answer: Restore the dismissed state government and the dissolved assembly
Following the S.R. Bommai case, the court has the power to restore the status quo ante. It can revive the dissolved or suspended legislative assembly and restore the ministry that was dismissed.