What is a president’s rule?

• The Union government has imposed President’s rule in Manipur, India, following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh.
• The rule was imposed due to the ongoing violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, which has claimed over 250 lives and displaced over 60,000 people.
• The conflict originated from the Meitei demand for Scheduled Tribe status, which the Kukis opposed, fearing job loss and other affirmative actions meant for STs.
• The State BJP leadership struggled to reach a consensus on his successor after Mr. Singh resigned on February 9.

Constitutional Emergency Provisions

• The Constitution provides for three types of emergencies: national (Article 352), state (Article 356), and financial (Article 360).
• In Manipur, the President has proclaimed a “state emergency” or “President’s Rule” by exercising powers under Article 356.
• The President can issue a proclamation if she is satisfied that the State government cannot function constitutionally.
• The proclamation must be laid before each House of Parliament and ceases after two months unless approved by a’simple majority’ in both Houses.
• Renewal beyond one year is allowed only if an Emergency has been declared in the country or any part of the State, and if the Election Commission certifies that President’s rule is necessary due to difficulties in conducting State elections.

Differences Between a ‘Constitutional Emergency’ and a ‘National Emergency’

• Article 352 governs the proclamation of a “national emergency,” which has been invoked thrice — during the 1962 India-China war, the 1971-armed conflict with Pakistan, and in 1975 on grounds of “internal disturbance.”
• The 44th Constitutional amendment (1978) introduced safeguards to prevent misuse, replacing “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion,” mandated a written recommendation from the Cabinet, and shortened the parliamentary approval window.

Understanding the President’s Rule in India

• The President’s Rule in India is a crisis-management tool and politically contentious measure, imposed nearly 134 times across 29 States and Union Territories (UTs) since the Constitution took effect in 1950.
• The first application of Article 356 occurred in June 1951 in Punjab, with Manipur tied with Uttar Pradesh for the most frequent imposition.
• The longest President’s Rule in Manipur lasted two years and 157 days (1969–1972).
• The Supreme Court (SC) has upheld the Centre’s frequent unusual imposition of President’s Rule, but the landmark S.R. Bommai versus Union of India (1994) judgment redefined these powers.
• The SC held that the President’s power under Article 356 is conditional, not absolute, and any proclamation is subject to judicial review.
• The President cannot dissolve the assembly without Parliament’s approval and the Centre must first issue a warning notice to the erring State.
• The SC clarified that President’s rule must be invoked only for breakdowns of “constitutional machinery” and never for political gains.