GK Question

polity hard true_false

Under Article 353(b), during a National Emergency, the Union executive power extends to giving directions to any State on the manner of exercise of its executive power, temporarily enhancing Centre's control for coordinated crisis response.

  1. True
  2. False

Answer: True

Emergency executive federalism: (a) Article 353(b): During National Emergency (Article 352), Union executive power extends to giving directions to any State on 'manner of exercise' of its executive power, (b) Scope: Directions can cover implementation of Union laws, resource allocation, administrative coordination for crisis response, (c) Limits: (i) Directions must relate to Emergency purposes, (ii) State executive not abolished; only manner guided, (iii) Post-Emergency, federal normalcy restored, (d) Rationale: Ensure unified national response to existential threats (war, external aggression, armed rebellion) while preserving State executive structure for post-crisis restoration, (e) Safeguards: Parliamentary approval, judicial review (SR Bommai), time limits prevent permanent centralization. Illustrates federal flexibility: temporary unitary features for crisis management within constitutional framework.

Topic Emergency Powers - Article 353 Executive Directions
Exam Relevance Emergency executive powers critical for UPSC Mains and Judiciary exams