 |
| What is Article 355 of indian constitution |
Article 355 of the
Indian Constitution
Title: Duty of the Union to protect States against
external aggression and internal disturbance
🔷 Explanation
of Article 355:
Article 355 places a constitutional duty on the
Union Government to:
1. Protect every State in India from:
o External aggression, and
o Internal disturbance.
2. Ensure that the government of every State is
carried on in accordance with the Constitution.
✅ Key
Provisions:
It shall be the duty of
the Union to:
- Protect every State against external
aggression and internal disturbance; and
- Ensure that the State
government functions constitutionally.
🟢 Key
Points:
|
Aspect |
Details |
|
Who has the duty? |
Union Government
(Centre) |
|
Protect States From |
🔹 External
aggression (e.g., attack by another country) 🔹 Internal disturbance (e.g.,
riots, rebellion, terrorism) |
|
Ensure What? |
That each State
government operates constitutionally |
|
Linked With |
Basis for
invoking Article 356 (President's Rule) or sending
central forces |
|
Nature |
A directive
responsibility, not enforceable by courts, but forms the basis of
action by the Union |
📌 Purpose
of Article 355:
- To maintain the unity,
security, and constitutional order across the country.
- Acts as a justification for
the Centre to intervene in State affairs in extreme
situations.
📝
Examples of Application:
- Sending armed forces to control large-scale
violence or rebellion in a State.
- Imposing President’s Rule in a State if constitutional
machinery breaks down (under Article 356), often justified using
Article 355.
Here is a comparison
chart between Article 354 and Article 355 of
the Indian Constitution:
🗂️ Comparison
Chart: Article 354 vs Article 355
|
Aspect |
Article 354 |
Article 355 |
|
Title |
Application of
revenue distribution provisions during Emergency |
Duty of the Union to
protect States |
|
Main Focus |
Financial powers of the President during a National
Emergency |
Obligation of the Union to protect States
from threats and maintain constitutional governance |
|
Type of Provision |
Economic/Financial |
Security and
constitutional obligation |
|
Who Acts? |
President via order |
Union Government (Centre) |
|
Applies When? |
Only during a National
Emergency (Article 352) |
Always applicable — not limited to Emergency |
|
What It Does |
Allows President
to alter distribution of revenues between Centre and States
(Articles 268–273) |
Makes it the Union's
duty to protect States and ensure proper functioning of State governments |
|
Impact Area |
Tax revenue and
fiscal arrangements |
Internal security, external aggression, governance,
and constitutional integrity of States |
|
Legal Nature |
Temporary financial
adjustment during crisis |
Foundational duty and justification for central
intervention |
|
Example |
During war, President
may reduce State share of tax to fund defense |
In case of violent
unrest in a State, Centre can send armed forces or impose President’s Rule |
📝
Summary:
- 💰 Article 354 =
Deals with temporary financial powers during a National
Emergency.
- 🛡️ Article 355 =
Imposes a permanent duty on the Centre to protect
and maintain order in every State.
MCQs on Article 355 –
Duty of the Union to Protect States
1. Article 355 of the
Indian Constitution is related to—
A) Imposition of
Emergency
B) Appointment of Governor
C) Protection of States by the Union
D) President's Rule
✅ Correct
Answer: C) Protection of States by the Union
2. According to Article
355, it is the duty of the Union to—
A) Protect every state
against external aggression and internal disturbance
B) Ensure the economic development of all states
C) Maintain communal harmony in states
D) Provide uniform law enforcement in all states
✅ Correct
Answer: A) Protect every state against external aggression and
internal disturbance
3. Article 355 empowers
which authority to protect the states?
A) Chief Minister
B) Governor
C) Parliament
D) Union Government
✅ Correct
Answer: D) Union Government
4. Article 355 is found
under which part of the Constitution?
A) Part XVIII –
Emergency Provisions
B) Part XVII – Official Language
C) Part XIX – Miscellaneous
D) Part XIX – Relations between the Union and the States
✅ Correct
Answer: A) Part XVIII – Emergency Provisions
5. Which of the
following is NOT a part of the duty mentioned in Article 355?
A) Protection against
external aggression
B) Ensuring that governance is carried on according to the Constitution
C) Providing police support to states
D) Protection against internal disturbances
✅ Correct
Answer: C) Providing police support to states
6. Article 355 provides
the basis for which of the following constitutional provisions?
A) Article 370 –
Special status of Jammu and Kashmir
B) Article 356 – President’s Rule
C) Article 352 – National Emergency
D) Article 360 – Financial Emergency
✅ Correct
Answer: B) Article 356 – President’s Rule
7. The phrase
"internal disturbance" in Article 355 has been replaced by which
phrase in later amendments or interpretations?
A) Armed rebellion
B) Civil unrest
C) Emergency situation
D) Breakdown of constitutional machinery
✅ Correct
Answer: A) Armed rebellion
8. Under Article 355,
the Union can intervene in a state’s affairs—
A) Without any
condition
B) Only during war
C) If there is a failure of constitutional machinery
D) If the state government requests
✅ Correct
Answer: C) If there is a failure of constitutional machinery
9. The primary intent
of Article 355 is to—
A) Strengthen Central
control
B) Promote cooperative federalism
C) Maintain law and order in rural areas
D) Allow Governor to take charge of state affairs
✅ Correct
Answer: B) Promote cooperative federalism
10. Which of the
following is true about Article 355?
A) It is enforceable by
courts
B) It provides powers to the judiciary
C) It is not enforceable but provides a constitutional obligation
D) It allows the President to make laws for states
✅ Correct
Answer: C) It is not enforceable but provides a constitutional
obligation
.jpg)
Follow Us