GS2 · 10 marks · 150 words

Under what conditions can the 'National' Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What are the consequences when such a proclamation remains in force? When was it last imposed in the country?

Answered by 4 toppers · CSE 2025

Syllabus: Indian Constitution—historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

How toppers approached it

From all 4 answers · about 190 words · 50% drew a diagram.

Opening

  • A constitutional or legal provision2 of 4
  • A definition1 of 4
  • No separate opening1 of 4

Body

  • Points and prose2 of 4
  • Points2 of 4

Close

  • A summary3 of 4
  • No separate close1 of 4

The toppers’ answers

Ujjwal PriyankAIR 10 · CSE 2025 · 94 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a constitutional or legal provision

The 'National' Emergency under article 352 can be proclaimed by the President of India when given a written advice by cabinet due to external aggression, wars or armed rebellion.

Body · points and prose

The 'National' Emergency under article 352 can be proclaimed by the President of India when given a written advice by cabinet due to external aggression, wars or armed rebellion.

Diagram
- Consequences - 1. Suspension of fundamental rights enforcement - Article 358 about Suspension of Article 19 - 2. The centre gains overriding powers to legislate on state list matters. - 3. The centre can advise state to follow certain rules - 4. The country tends to become "unitary".

• Prior to 44th constitutional amendment, there could have been emergency proclamation based on "internal disturbance", but it was changed to armed rebellion later.

Emergency in India Till date 3 times, with last time in 1975 on the ground of "internal disturbances"

Diagram
- Impact - 1. Suppression of voice of Opposition - 2. Censorship on media and journals - 3. Forced Sterilisation for family planning

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had proclaimed that part 18 of constitution was to protect country and to be used sporadically to uphold national interest.

Close

Till date 3 times, with last time in 1975 on the ground of "internal disturbances" Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had proclaimed that part 18 of constitution was to protect country and to be used sporadically to uphold national interest.

More on Constitution and Basic Structure

Historical underpinnings, evolution, salient features, amendments and the basic structure doctrine.

All GS2 questions on Constitution and Basic Structure