Article 356

The Supreme Court has recently held that the declaration of State emergency under Article 356 and the actions of the President should have a “reasonable nexus”.

About Article 356 or President’s Rule:

• Article 356 empowers the President to withdraw the executive and legislative powers of a state when he feels that the government of the state cannot continue as per the provisions of the constitution.
• It lays down the conditions under which a president’s rule can be imposed.
• It is subject to the satisfaction of the President that the government of the state cannot function as per the constitutional provisions,
  • Firstly, on receipt of a report from the governor of the concerned state, or
  • Otherwise, the President on its own or in consultation with the Union may also use this power.
• The term satisfaction is not to be interpreted as the personal satisfaction of the president.
• It is the satisfaction of the union that plays an important role.
• This satisfaction can be challenged in court on the ground of mala fide intentions or irrelevant grounds.   

Conditions for Proclamation of a state of emergency:

• Article 356: When the President is satisfied that the state is unable to govern itself as per the constitutional provisions
• Article 365: When a state is held to have violated the constitutional machinery by not following the directions given to states by the union government under certain circumstances.

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