A National Emergency has been proclaimed three times. The first, in October 1962 during the Chinese aggression, lasted until January 1968. The second, in December 1971 during the war with Pakistan, was still in force when the third, on the ground of "internal disturbance", was proclaimed on 25 June 1975. Both the 1971 and 1975 proclamations were revoked in March 1977.
1962: external aggression (China).
1971: external aggression (Pakistan).
1975: internal disturbance.
Quick check: On what ground was the Emergency of June 1975 proclaimed?
Internal disturbance
Armed rebellion
Financial instability
External aggression
Answer: A.
25 June 1975 – 21 March 1977
The Emergency of 1975–77
Twenty-one months
On 12 June 1975 the Allahabad High Court set aside Indira Gandhi's election. On the night of 25 June 1975 President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed an Emergency on the ground of internal disturbance. Opposition leaders were detained under MISA, the press was censored, fundamental rights were suspended, and the 38th, 39th and 42nd Amendments were passed. The Emergency ended after the Congress lost the March 1977 elections.
Detentions under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), 1971.
Ended with the Janata Party victory in March 1977.
Quick check: Which law was most used to detain political opponents during the 1975 Emergency?
National Security Act
Defence of India Rules, 1939
TADA
Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA)
Answer: D.
25 June
Samvidhan Hatya Diwas
Remembering the Emergency
In July 2024 the Government of India notified 25 June, the anniversary of the proclamation of the 1975 Emergency, as Samvidhan Hatya Diwas ("Constitution Murder Day"), to commemorate those who suffered during the Emergency.
Notified in July 2024.
Quick check: Samvidhan Hatya Diwas is observed on:
26 January
25 June
12 June
26 November
Answer: B.
1977–78
The Shah Commission
Inquiry into Emergency excesses
The Janata government appointed a commission of inquiry headed by former Chief Justice J.C. Shah to investigate the excesses committed during the Emergency. Its reports documented abuses of power, including mass detentions and forced sterilisations and demolitions.
Headed by former Chief Justice J.C. Shah.
Quick check: The commission that inquired into the excesses of the Emergency was headed by:
J.C. Shah
H.R. Khanna
K.K. Mathew
R.S. Sarkaria
Answer: A.
Punjab, 1951
The First Use of Article 356
President's Rule begins
Article 356 was first invoked in Punjab on 20 June 1951, following internal differences within the ruling party. Among its most controversial early uses was the dismissal of E.M.S. Namboodiripad's Communist government in Kerala in 1959, the first democratically elected communist government in India.
First use: Punjab, 1951.
Kerala, 1959: dismissal of the first elected communist government.
Quick check: Where was President's Rule first imposed?
PEPSU (1953)
Kerala (1959)
Andhra (1954)
Punjab (1951)
Answer: D.
19 more entries under this heading
Mass Dismissals of 1977 and 1980 · State of Rajasthan v. Union of India
After Bommai: Floor Tests and Judicial Review · The case that tamed Article 356
Rameshwar Prasad v. Union of India · The Bihar assembly dissolution
Nabam Rebia and the Arunachal Crisis · Governors cannot act on their own
The Uttarakhand Floor Test · President's Rule reversed
Subhash Desai v. Principal Secretary, Governor of Maharashtra · The Maharashtra split
The Sarkaria Commission · On Centre–state relations
The Punchhi Commission · The second Centre–state review
The Rajamannar Committee · Tamil Nadu's review of federalism
The Anandpur Sahib Resolution · A demand for state autonomy
The Abrogation of Article 370 · Jammu and Kashmir reorganised
Delhi's Services Dispute · Who controls the bureaucracy in Delhi?
Article 365 · Failure to comply with Union directions
Effects of a National Emergency · Articles 250, 353, 358, 359
Dismissal of the Kerala Government · The first elected Communist government was dismissed
Makhan Singh Tarsikka v. State of Punjab · Limits on the suspension of rights in the 1962 Emergency
State of Rajasthan v. Union of India · The dissolution of nine state assemblies upheld
Article 355 · The Union's duty to protect states
Zonal Councils · Advisory bodies for regional cooperation
PlusAll 24 entries, and every heading in the LibraryYours from ₹1,499, till CLAT 2028See Plus
