Key Terms & Concepts — UPSC Mains
Article 355
"Constitutional provision making it the duty of the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance, and to ensure that state governments are carried on in accordance with the Constitution."
Article 355 of the Indian Constitution imposes a mandatory duty on the Union in two respects: (1) to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance; and (2) to ensure that the government of every state is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution. Article 355 serves as the constitutional basis for Central intervention in state affairs during crisis situations — but short of imposing President's Rule (Article 356). It allows the Centre to deploy Central forces, impose restrictions, and take preventive measures in a state experiencing internal disturbance without displacing the elected state government. Relationship with Article 356: Article 356 (President's Rule) is the more drastic measure — it dissolves or suspends the state government. Article 355 is invoked as the justification for Central action that falls short of this: deploying CRPF, declaring an area disturbed under AFSPA, issuing directives, or sending Central observers. In the Manipur ethnic conflict (since May 2023), the Centre invoked its Article 355 obligations to justify deploying 50,000+ Central forces and maintaining AFSPA without imposing Article 356. Critics argued this created a constitutional limbo — Centre bearing responsibility but the elected state government remaining unaccountable. SR Bommai Case (1994): The Supreme Court held that the President's satisfaction under Article 356 is subject to judicial review, making it harder to misuse President's Rule. This strengthened the use of Article 355 as an alternative — the Centre acting on its duty without displacing an elected government. Article 356 requires parliamentary approval (within two months, then every six months); Article 355 action does not require parliamentary approval, giving the Centre more operational flexibility.
Critical for UPSC GS2 Polity — especially Centre-State relations, federalism, and President's Rule. Prelims: Article 355 is the duty; Article 356 is the discretionary power. The distinction between 355 and 356 is a standard MCQ trap. Mains: Manipur, NE insurgency, Naxal-affected states — all involve Centre acting under Article 355 obligations. SR Bommai case connects Articles 355-356 to judicial review of executive power. Also useful in federalism questions about where cooperative federalism ends and Central assertion begins.
- 1 Article 355: Union's DUTY — protect states from external aggression and internal disturbance
- 2 Article 356: Union's POWER (discretionary) — impose President's Rule
- 3 Article 355 does not require parliamentary approval; Article 356 requires approval within 2 months
- 4 SR Bommai Case (1994): Article 356 use is justiciable — subject to judicial review
- 5 In Manipur: Centre invoked 355 obligations to deploy Central forces without imposing 356
- 6 Constitutional basis for Central force deployment (CRPF, BSF, AR) in disturbed states
- 7 Article 355 action = Centre acts alongside state government; Article 356 = Centre replaces it
- 8 Article 352 = National Emergency (war/armed rebellion); Article 356 = State Emergency; Article 360 = Financial Emergency
In the Manipur ethnic conflict, the Centre deployed over 50,000 CRPF, BSF, and Assam Rifles personnel, citing its Article 355 duty to protect the state from internal disturbance — while declining to invoke Article 356 and impose President's Rule. Critics argued the Centre got the benefit of control without the political accountability that direct rule would have imposed.
