The suspension of a State government and the assumption of its functions by the Centre when the constitutional machinery in the State fails, imposed under Article 356.
- Article 356 allows the President, on the Governor's report or otherwise, to proclaim that the State cannot be carried on as per the Constitution.
- The Union takes over the State's executive functions and Parliament exercises its legislative powers; the High Court is not affected.
- Must be approved by both Houses within two months; valid for six months at a time, extendable up to a maximum of three years (with conditions).
- The S. R. Bommai case (1994) made it subject to concept judicial review and required a floor test to decide majority.
- Often called the "failure of constitutional machinery" provision; frequently debated for misuse against opposition-ruled States.
Article 356, the Bommai safeguards, and the time limits are central to Centre-State relations and a high-frequency polity topic.
President's Rule (Art 356, State emergency) is different from the National Emergency (Art 352) and the Financial Emergency (Art 360); the High Court keeps functioning.
Art 356 Centre takeover of a State on failure of constitutional machinery; subject to Bommai (1994) safeguards and judicial review.