Emergency in India: 50 Years and Constitutional Provisions
Why in the news
On 25 June 2025 the Modi government marked 50 years of the 1975 Emergency as Samvidhan Hatya Divas. The 21-month phase under Indira Gandhi saw civil liberties curbed, opposition leaders jailed and the press muzzled.
Constitutional framework
Articles 352-360 in Part XVIII give extraordinary powers to safeguard sovereignty, unity, democratic order and financial stability.
| Feature | National Emergency | State Emergency (President’s Rule) | Financial Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Articles | 352-354, 358-359 | 355-357 (also 365) | 360 |
| Grounds | War, external aggression, armed rebellion | Failure of constitutional machinery; state ignoring Union directions | Threat to financial stability or credit |
| Declared by | President (Art. 352) | President | President |
| Parliament approval | Both Houses within 1 month | Both Houses within 2 months, simple majority | Within 2 months |
| Duration | 6 months, extendable every 6 months indefinitely by special majority | – | Indefinite until revoked; no repeat approval |
| Revocation | By President or simple majority resolution in Lok Sabha | – | – |
Effects of a National Emergency
- Centre-State: Centre directs states; Parliament legislates on state subjects; fund sharing can be altered.
- Legislatures: terms extendable one year at a time, up to 6 months post-Emergency.
- Rights: Article 19 suspended (Art. 358); enforcement of other rights suspended (Art. 359).
Effects of other emergencies
- President’s Rule: Governor runs the state for the President; Parliament exercises legislative powers.
- Financial Emergency: Centre controls state finances, may cut salaries of government and judicial officers; money bills need Presidential assent.
Exam angle
- Part XVIII; Articles 352-360.
- Article 356: President’s Rule; Article 360: financial emergency.