Question

Read the following statements:
i. The first imposition of President's Rule in India was in Punjab in 1951.
ii. Manipur has experienced President's Rule the most times, with 11 instances.
iii. The longest period of President's Rule in Kerala was from 1964 to 1967.
iv. The President’s Rule in Kerala in 1956 was the first instance in a South Indian state.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

• A. All the above
• B. Only i, ii, and iii
• C. Only i and ii
• D. Only ii and iii

Answer 1

Answer:

B. Only i, ii, and iii

Understanding President's Rule (Article 356)

• President's Rule, also known as 'State Emergency' or 'Constitutional Emergency', is invoked under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution when the President is satisfied that the government of a state cannot be carried on in accordance with constitutional provisions.
• It aims to maintain constitutional order in states but has often been a subject of political controversy due to its potential misuse.

Evaluation of Statements

• Statement i: The first imposition of President's Rule in India was in Punjab in 1951.
  • Correctness: Correct.
  • Details: The very first instance of President's Rule in India was imposed in PEPSU (Patiala and East Punjab States Union) on June 20, 1951. This was primarily due to political instability in the region. PEPSU was later merged into the state of Punjab, making this statement accurate in a broader context.
• Statement ii: Manipur has experienced President's Rule the most times, with 11 instances.
  • Correctness: Correct.
  • Details: Manipur is indeed one of the states that has witnessed President's Rule for the highest number of times, commonly cited as 10 or 11 instances, reflecting persistent political volatility in the state. Uttar Pradesh also shares a similar record of frequent impositions.
• Statement iii: The longest period of President's Rule in Kerala was from 1964 to 1967.
  • Correctness: Correct.
  • Details: The state of Kerala experienced President's Rule from September 10, 1964, to March 6, 1967. This duration, spanning approximately 2 years and 6 months, marks the longest continuous spell of President's Rule in the state's history. Kerala has a history of coalition governments, often leading to instability and the invocation of Article 356.
• Statement iv: The President’s Rule in Kerala in 1956 was the first instance in a South Indian state.
  • Correctness: Incorrect.
  • Details: While President's Rule was imposed on March 23, 1956, in the geographical region that now constitutes Kerala, it was specifically imposed on the erstwhile state of Travancore-Cochin. The modern state of Kerala was formally formed only on November 1, 1956, following the States Reorganisation Act. Therefore, strictly speaking, this particular instance was not