Question

Describe the emergency powers of the President.

Answer 1

(a) National Emergency:

If the President is satisfied that the security of India or any part of its territory is threatened by a war or external aggression or armed rebellion, he can declare an Emergency for the whole of India or any of its parts. The declaration of Emergency cannot be challenged in court.

(b) Constitutional Emergency:

1. Based on report of the Governor, the President can declare constitutional emergency in that particular state.
2. He can establish ‘Presidential Rule’ by dissolving the state cabinet ministry.

(c) Financial Emergency

1. In case of this Emergency, the President can reduce salaries of all government officials, including judges of the Supreme Court and the High Court.
2. Thus, the President has vast executive and administrative powers and though all the administration can be considered in the hands of the President only and done in his name only.
3. Yet in reality, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers enjoy these powers.