President’s Rule
Context: A delegation of 10 MLAs from the Manipur Assembly met the Governor of the State and pressed for the formation of a viable government in Manipur that has been under President’s Rule since February 2025.
Important Pointers:
Constitutional Basis: Can be imposed under Article 356 and Article 365.
Article 356: Allows the President to assume state administration when there's failure of constitutional machinery.
Article 365: Allows action if a State fails to comply with Union directions, often triggering Article 356.
Parliamentary Approval: Must be approved by both Houses within two months by a simple majority.
Initial Duration: Valid for 6 months once approved.
Extension Limit: Can be extended every 6 months, up to 3 years in total.
Special Conditions for Extension: Beyond 1 year, needs a National Emergency (Article 352) or EC certification that elections can't be held.
Judicial Review: Imposition is subject to judicial review (S. R. Bommai case, 1994).
Assembly Status: Until Parliament approval, the Assembly must be kept in suspended animation, not dissolved.
First Use: Imposed for the first time in Punjab in 1951.
Most Frequent States: Manipur and Uttar Pradesh faced it 11 times each.
Longest Duration: Jammu & Kashmir (over 12 years), Punjab (over 10 years), Puducherry (over 7 years).
Misuse Concerns: Used 134 times since 1950, raising concerns over political misuse.