20. If the President exercises Article 356 powers over a State, which consequence follows?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2018, General Studies Paper I]
(A) The State Assembly automatically dissolves
(B) The State Legislature’s powers become exercisable by or under Parliament’s authority
(C) Article 19 automatically stands suspended in the State
(D) The President alone receives unrestricted legislative power
Answer: (B) The State Legislature’s powers become exercisable by or under Parliament’s authority
Explanation: Article 356 allows the functions of state government to be assumed and legislative authority to pass to Parliament or authorities it authorizes. State Assemblies are not automatically dissolved, and President’s Rule does not independently suspend Article 19.
19. Article 352 of the Constitution of India contains provisions relating to which of the following?
[UPSC NDA, 9 September 2018, General Ability Test]
(A) Financial Emergency
(B) Failure of constitutional machinery in States
(C) Suspension of enforcement of Part III rights
(D) General Emergency
Answer: (D) General Emergency
Explanation: Article 352 concerns what is commonly called a National or General Emergency, involving threats arising from war, external aggression or armed rebellion. Financial Emergency belongs to Article 360; President’s Rule belongs to Article 356.
18. On which date was the 1975 Emergency proclaimed on the ground of internal disturbance?
[RAS/RTS Prelims 2018]
(A) 26 October 1962
(B) 3 December 1971
(C) 25 June 1975
(D) 26 June 1975
Answer: (C) 25 June 1975
Explanation: The proclamation was signed on 25 June 1975, although news of the Emergency became widely known on 26 June. The proclamation invoked the then-existing ground of internal disturbance and continued until March 1977.
17. Which Amendment replaced “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion” in Article 352?
[MPPSC Forest Service Mains 2018, General Studies]
(A) 42nd Amendment
(B) 44th Amendment
(C) 48th Amendment
(D) 52nd Amendment
Answer: (B) 44th Amendment
Explanation: The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1978 narrowed the grounds for National Emergency by replacing internal disturbance with armed rebellion. This reduced the discretion to declare an Emergency solely on vaguely defined internal unrest.
16. Which consequences are NOT necessary when President’s Rule is proclaimed in a State?
1. Dissolution of State Assembly;
2. Removal of Council of Ministers;
3. Dissolution of local bodies.
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2017, General Studies Paper I]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 1 and 3 only
(C) 2 and 3 only
(D) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (B) 1 and 3 only
Explanation: President’s Rule entails removal of the elected State Council of Ministers, but the Assembly may remain suspended rather than dissolved. Local self-government institutions are not necessarily dissolved merely because Article 356 is invoked.
15. Which set correctly describes Article 352 Emergency?
i. Proclaimed by President;
ii. approval in two months;
iii. approval in one month;
iv. simple majority for approval;
v. two-thirds of members present and voting for approval;
vi. revocation through simple-majority resolution;
vii. two-thirds majority for revocation;
viii. joint sitting for approval.
[Chhattisgarh PSC Prelims 2017]
(A) i, ii, iv, viii
(B) i, iii, vi, viii
(C) i, iii, v, vi
(D) i, iv, vii, viii
Answer: (C) i, iii, v, vi
Explanation: A National Emergency is proclaimed by the President and requires parliamentary approval within one month. Approval requires a special majority, including two-thirds of those present and voting. Lok Sabha can trigger discontinuance through a simple-majority resolution.
14. Under Article 352, Emergency may be proclaimed when security is threatened by which grounds?
1. War;
2. External aggression;
3. Armed rebellion;
4. Internal disturbance.
[UPPCS Mains 2017]
(A) 1 and 2 only
(B) 2, 3 and 4
(C) 1, 2 and 3
(D) 1, 3 and 4
Answer: (C) 1, 2 and 3
Explanation: War, external aggression and armed rebellion are the three current grounds in Article 352. Internal disturbance was removed from this provision by the 44th Amendment because its wide meaning raised risks of misuse.
13. Which of the following is NOT a valid ground for declaring a National Emergency in India?
[UPPCS Mains 2016]
(A) War
(B) External attack
(C) Threat to internal peace
(D) Armed rebellion
Answer: (C) Threat to internal peace
Explanation: National Emergency is permitted only for war, external aggression or armed rebellion, including imminent danger. A generalized threat to internal peace does not itself satisfy Article 352 after the changes introduced by the 44th Amendment.
12. Emergency under Article 352 may be proclaimed only in which circumstances?
[UPSC NDA, 2015, General Ability Test]
(A) War, external aggression or internal disturbance
(B) War, external aggression or armed rebellion
(C) Failure of constitutional machinery in a State
(D) Financial instability in the country
Answer: (B) War, external aggression or armed rebellion
Explanation: Article 352 sets out the grounds for National Emergency as war, external aggression and armed rebellion. State constitutional failure is governed by Article 356, while threats to financial stability are dealt with by Article 360.
11. How many kinds of emergencies are provided for under the Indian Constitution?
[UPPCS Mains 2014]
(A) Two
(B) Three
(C) Four
(D) One
Answer: (B) Three
Explanation: The Constitution recognizes National Emergency under Article 352, President’s Rule following a breakdown of State constitutional machinery under Article 356, and Financial Emergency under Article 360. Their triggers, approval procedures and legal consequences differ.
