How does a President’s rule function?

1. President's rule was implemented in Manipur on February 13, 2024, following Chief Minister N. Biren Singh's resignation on February 9, as the state government could not function according to constitutional provisions amid ongoing violence between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities.

2. The Manipur conflict, which began in May 2023, has resulted in over 250 casualties and displaced more than 60,000 people, stemming from Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, opposed by Kukis who feared loss of job opportunities and affirmative action benefits.

3. The Indian Constitution provides for three types of emergencies under Part XVIII: National Emergency (Article 352), State Emergency/President's Rule (Article 356), and Financial Emergency (Article 360).

4. Under Article 356, President's Rule can be imposed when a state's constitutional machinery fails, with Article 355 obligating the Union to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbance, while Article 365 allows for Constitutional Emergency if states fail to comply with Union directions.

5. A President's Rule proclamation requires parliamentary approval by simple majority within two months and remains effective for six months, with possible extensions up to three years under specific conditions like declaration of Emergency or Election Commission's certification.

6. National Emergency under Article 352 has been invoked thrice: during the 1962 India-China war, 1971 India-Pakistan conflict, and in 1975 during Indira Gandhi's tenure following the Allahabad High Court's verdict in The State of Uttar Pradesh versus Raj Narain case.

7. The 44th Constitutional Amendment (1978) introduced safeguards including replacing 'internal disturbance' with 'armed rebellion', requiring written cabinet recommendation, and restoring judicial review of President's satisfaction in emergency proclamation.

8. During President's Rule, the state executive is dismissed and legislature suspended, while under National Emergency, state institutions continue functioning. In Manipur's case, the Assembly with tenure till 2027 is under 'suspended animation'.

9. President's Rule has been imposed approximately 134 times across 29 States and UTs since 1950, with Manipur and Uttar Pradesh tied at 10 impositions each. Jammu & Kashmir holds the record for longest cumulative duration at over 12 years.

10. The S.R. Bommai versus Union of India (1994) judgment established that President's power under Article 356 is conditional, subject to judicial review, and should be used as a last resort, with the Centre required to issue warning notices to erring states.