What is Article 357 of Indian constitution

www.hinsoli.com July 10, 2025

Article 357 of the Indian Constitution

Title: Exercise of legislative powers under Proclamation issued under Article 356

🔷 Explanation of Article 357:

Article 357 comes into effect after the imposition of President’s Rule (Article 356).
It specifies how the Union (Centre) will exercise legislative powers in a State when the State Assembly is suspended or dissolved.

✅ Key Provisions:

When a Proclamation under Article 356 is in operation, the President may:

Authorize Parliament to make laws for the State (normally done by the State Legislature).
Delegate the power to make laws or take administrative actions to:
- The President, or
- Any other authority (e.g., Governor or a Central officer).

🟢 Key Points:

Aspect	Details
Applies When?	President’s Rule (Article 356) is in force
Legislative Power	Parliament makes laws for the State
Executive Authority	President may assign powers to Governor or central officials
Purpose	To ensure smooth governance and lawmaking in the absence of a State Legislature
Limits	All laws made continue to be valid even after President’s Rule ends, until repealed or modified by the State Legislature
Type	Administrative and legislative framework during State Emergency

📝 Example:

If President’s Rule is imposed in West Bengal, Parliament can make laws for the State under Article 357.
The Governor or a Union officer can be authorized to run departments or implement laws temporarily.

🧭 Summary:

Before Article 356	State Legislature governs normally
After Article 356	State Assembly is dissolved/suspended → Centre steps in
Under Article 357	Parliament makes laws; President or delegated authority runs State administration

Here is a comparison chart between Article 356 and Article 357 of the Indian Constitution:

🗂️ Comparison Chart: Article 356 vs Article 357

Aspect	Article 356	Article 357
Title	Provisions in case of failure of constitutional machinery in States	Exercise of legislative powers during President’s Rule
Purpose	To impose President’s Rule in a State when constitutional machinery fails	To define how legislative and administrative powers are exercised during President’s Rule
Trigger	Breakdown of State Government functioning as per Constitution	Comes into effect after Article 356 is invoked
Main Provision	President can assume State functions, dismiss State Government, and dissolve or suspend Assembly	Allows Parliament to legislate for the State; President can delegate powers to authorities
Power Source	President of India, based on Governor’s report or other inputs	Parliament, and President acting through delegated authority
Effect on State	State Government is dismissed, Assembly dissolved or kept under suspension	Laws are made by Parliament instead of State Legislature
Type of Power	Emergency provision, constitutional takeover	Administrative mechanism to run the State without elected govt
Duration	Initially 6 months, extendable up to 3 years (with conditions)	Lasts as long as Article 356 is in force
Law Continuity	Ends with revocation of President’s Rule	Laws made continue to remain in force until modified by State Legislature
Example	Uttarakhand President’s Rule in 2016	Parliament legislated on State matters like finance, law and order during the Rule

📝 Summary:

🛑 Article 356 = Declares President’s Rule in a State.
⚙️ Article 357 = Executes and administers governance during President’s Rule, with Parliament legislating and the President delegating powers.