GS2 – Polity
Context:
Parliament has recently approved a second extension of President’s Rule in Manipur, extending it till February 2026.
Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 356: Allows President’s Rule when a state’s constitutional machinery fails.
- Parliamentary Approval: Required within two months of the proclamation.
- Duration & Extension:
- Initially valid for 6 months, extendable every six months.
- Maximum duration: 3 years, with each extension needing fresh approval.
- Extension beyond 1 year permitted only if:
- A National Emergency (Article 352) is in force across India or part thereof, or
- The Election Commission certifies that elections cannot be conducted in the state.
Governance Concerns:
- Tension between Security and Federalism: Repeated use of Article 356 may erode the spirit of cooperative federalism.
- Democratic Concerns: Extended central rule undermines electoral legitimacy and could establish problematic precedents for central overreach.