Q21. During a Financial Emergency, the President can issue directions for the reduction of salaries and allowances of which of the following?
Emergency Provisions: RAS Prelims MCQs
70 RAS Prelims MCQs on the emergency provisions cover the three kinds of emergency, their grounds, parliamentary approval and duration, the effects on federalism and rights, and the amendments that changed them. The Emergencies of 1962, 1971 and 1975 and the 38th, 42nd and 44th Amendments are asked as facts and sequences.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 70 questions
Q22. Which of the following emergencies does not prescribe a maximum time limit for its continuous operation once approved by the Parliament?
Explanation
Once approved by Parliament, both National Emergency and Financial Emergency can continue indefinitely until the President revokes them. However, a National Emergency requires periodic parliamentary approval every six months to stay in force. In contrast, President’s Rule under Article 356 has a maximum time limit of three years, beyond which it cannot be extended under any circumstances in a state.
Q23. Select the correct sequence of the types of emergencies proclaimed in India based on the number of times they have been invoked, from highest to lowest frequency.
Explanation
In India’s political history, President’s Rule has been invoked the most frequently, often exceeding a hundred times across various states. National Emergency has been declared three times: in 1962, 1971, and 1975. Financial Emergency has never been proclaimed. This sequence reflects the relative frequency and application of these different emergency provisions within the Indian federal and constitutional system.
Q24. Under which circumstance is it mandatory to reserve all money bills passed by the State Legislature for the consideration of the President?
Explanation
During a Financial Emergency, the President can direct a state to reserve all money bills or other financial bills for his consideration after they are passed by the State Legislature. This allows the Centre to exercise control over state finances to ensure stability. This is a significant shift in fiscal federalism, placing the Union in a supervisory role.
Q25. Consider the following statements about the effects of the imposition of Article 356:
I. The President assumes to himself all or any of the functions of the State Government.
II. The President can assume the powers vested in the High Court of the State.
III. The Parliament is empowered to make laws on subjects in the State List for that State.
IV. The President can suspend any provision of the Constitution relating to any body or authority in the State.
Which of the combinations given below correctly identifies the TRUE statements?
I. The President assumes to himself all or any of the functions of the State Government.
II. The President can assume the powers vested in the High Court of the State.
III. The Parliament is empowered to make laws on subjects in the State List for that State.
IV. The President can suspend any provision of the Constitution relating to any body or authority in the State.
Which of the combinations given below correctly identifies the TRUE statements?
Explanation
When President’s Rule is imposed, the President can assume the functions of the state government and the powers of the Governor. Parliament assumes the powers of the state legislature. The President can also suspend constitutional provisions related to any state authority, except those relating to High Courts. This ensures the High Court’s independence is maintained even during a state-level constitutional crisis.
Q26. Which Constitutional Amendment made it mandatory for the President to declare a National Emergency only on the written advice of the Cabinet?
Explanation
The Forty-fourth Amendment Act of 1978 made it mandatory for the President to declare a National Emergency only after receiving a written recommendation from the Union Cabinet.
Q27. Arrange the following steps regarding the imposition of Article 356 in a state in the correct sequential order according to the Bommai guidelines:
A. Floor test in the State Legislative Assembly
B. Governor sends a report to the President
C. Proclamation of President’s Rule
D. Approval of the proclamation by both Houses of Parliament
E. Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly
Select the correct sequence:
A. Floor test in the State Legislative Assembly
B. Governor sends a report to the President
C. Proclamation of President’s Rule
D. Approval of the proclamation by both Houses of Parliament
E. Dissolution of the State Legislative Assembly
Select the correct sequence:
Explanation
Following the S.R. Bommai guidelines, the correct sequence for imposing Article 356 involves the Governor sending a report, followed by a floor test to determine the majority. If the machinery fails, the President issues a proclamation. Parliament must then approve it within two months. Only after parliamentary approval can the State Legislative Assembly be formally dissolved by the President.
Q28. Identify the correct pair:
Explanation
Article 365 is a crucial provision stating that if a State fails to comply with Union directions, the President may hold that the state government cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. This serves as a ground for invoking President’s Rule under Article 356. It bridges the gap between administrative non-compliance and the failure of constitutional machinery.
Q29. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
| Emergency | Time given for Parliamentary Approval |
|---|---|
| A. National Emergency | i. 2 months |
| B. President’s Rule | ii. 1 month |
| C. Financial Emergency | iii. 2 months |
| D. Revocation of National Emergency | iv. No approval required |
Explanation
Proclamations of emergency require parliamentary approval within specific timeframes. National Emergency needs approval within one month. President’s Rule and Financial Emergency both require approval within two months. However, the revocation of a National Emergency by the President does not require any parliamentary approval, although the Lok Sabha can force a revocation through a resolution passed by a simple majority.
Q30. Which factor acts as a primary cause driving the balance of federalism towards a unitary structure during emergency provisions?
Explanation
During an emergency, the centralization of executive and legislative powers is the primary factor shifting the federal balance toward a unitary structure. This centralization is intended to ensure national security and a coordinated response to crises. It allows the Union to override state autonomy, ensuring that the country operates as a single unit to overcome the challenges posed.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (d) Any class of persons serving the Union, including Judges of the Supreme Court and High Courts. |
| 22 | (a) Both National Emergency and Financial Emergency |
| 23 | (b) President’s Rule, National Emergency, Financial Emergency |
| 24 | (b) During a Financial Emergency |
| 25 | (a) I, III and IV |
| 26 | (d) 44th Amendment |
| 27 | (c) A, B, C, D, E |
| 28 | (b) Article 365 - Effect of failure to comply with directions given by the Union |
| 29 | (d) A-ii, B-i, C-iii, D-iv |
| 30 | (a) Centralization of executive and legislative powers for national security |
Key facts from Emergency Provisions
- The emergency provisions exist to safeguard the sovereignty, unity, integrity and security of the country.
- Article 352 deals with National Emergency, Article 356 with President’s Rule (failure of constitutional machinery) and Article 360 with Financial Emergency.
- Article 355 makes it the Union’s duty to protect States, and it is the basis for Article 356.
- The 44th Amendment requires the President to act only on the written advice of the Cabinet before proclaiming an Emergency.
- The Emergencies of 1962, 1971 and 1975 were proclaimed by S. Radhakrishnan, V. V. Giri and Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed.
- The 38th, 42nd and 44th Amendments affected the Emergency provisions in that order; the Shah Commission inquired into the 1975 excesses.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Emergency Provisions?
This page has 70 practice MCQs on Emergency Provisions (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which Article deals with President’s Rule?
Article 356, which applies when the government of a State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution. Parliament must approve the proclamation within two months, and it can last up to three years in all.
What did the 44th Amendment change about Emergencies?
It required the President to act on the written advice of the Union Cabinet, replaced internal disturbance with armed rebellion as a ground and added safeguards, so that a Prime Minister could not impose an Emergency alone as in 1975.
Has a Financial Emergency ever been declared?
No. Article 360 provides for it, but none has been proclaimed, even in the economic crisis of 1991. In such an emergency the salaries of officials, including judges, could be reduced.