Provisions in case of failure of the constitutional machinery in a state (President's Rule) are given in:

Article 356 allows the President to take over the government of a state if he is satisfied, on the report of the Governor or otherwise, that the government of the state cannot be carried on according to the provisions of the Constitution. This is known as President's Rule or State Emergency, or "constitutional emergency".

When President's Rule is imposed:

• The President takes over the functions of the state government; in practice, the Governor runs the state on behalf of the President, with the help of advisers.
• The state legislature is either suspended or dissolved, and Parliament can make laws for the state.
• The High Court's powers are not affected.

The proclamation must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months by a simple majority. Once approved, it lasts for six months and can be extended by six months at a time, up to a maximum of three years. Extension beyond one year is allowed only if a National Emergency is in force or the Election Commission certifies that elections cannot be held.

Article 365 adds another ground: if a state fails to follow the directions of the Union, the President may treat it as a failure of the constitutional machinery.

Article 356 has been used more than 100 times since 1950, often for political reasons. Dr B.R. Ambedkar hoped it would remain a "dead letter" and be used only as a last resort. In the S.R. Bommai case (1994), the Supreme Court ruled that the imposition of President's Rule is open to judicial review and that a government's majority must be tested on the floor of the House. The Sarkaria Commission (1988) also recommended that it be used very sparingly.

The first use of Article 356 was in Punjab in 1951.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Article 352 deals with National Emergency.
• ✗Article 360 deals with Financial Emergency.
• ✗Article 365 deals with the effect of failure to comply with Union directions.