President’s Rule is a constitutional provision in India that allows the central government to take direct control of a state when governance fails to function as per constitutional norms. Recently, Manipur has been placed under President’s Rule due to political instability following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, coupled with ongoing ethnic violence.

This article explains what President’s Rule is, its constitutional provisions, implications, safeguards, and why it has been imposed in Manipur.

What Is President’s Rule?

President’s Rule refers to a situation where a state comes under the direct control of the central government. This happens when the state government is unable to function as per constitutional requirements. Article 356 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to impose this rule if the Governor of the state reports that the governance cannot proceed according to the Constitution.

When President’s Rule is imposed, the elected state government is dismissed, and the administration is taken over by the central government. The Governor, who represents the President in the state, assumes full control over its executive and legislative affairs. In such a scenario, the state assembly is either dissolved or kept in suspended animation.

Constitutional Provisions of President’s Rule

Article 356 of the Indian Constitution provides the legal basis for imposing President’s Rule in a state. The provision states that if the President is satisfied, based on a report from the Governor or other sources, that the state government is unable to function in accordance with the Constitution, a proclamation imposing President’s Rule can be issued.

Under this rule, the President can assume all or certain powers of the state government, including the Governor’s authority. Additionally, the state legislature’s powers are transferred to Parliament, which can make laws on behalf of the state. However, the President cannot take over the powers of the High Court, ensuring that the judiciary remains independent.

Who Controls the State Under President’s Rule?

Once President’s Rule is imposed, the administration of the state is handled by the Governor, who acts on behalf of the President. The Governor may be assisted by advisors appointed by the central government. These advisors are typically senior bureaucrats or experts in governance who help in managing the state's affairs.

The state legislative assembly is either dissolved or suspended, meaning it cannot function until President’s Rule is revoked. During this period, the state’s legislative powers are exercised by Parliament. Laws and financial decisions for the state are made by the central government, ensuring continuity in governance despite the absence of an elected state government.

For How Long Can President’s Rule Last?

President’s Rule can initially be imposed for six months but can be extended for a maximum period of three years. However, any extension beyond one year requires two special conditions to be met. First, a national emergency must be in place in the country or in the concerned state. Second, the Election Commission must certify that conducting state elections is not feasible due to extraordinary circumstances.

The proclamation imposing President’s Rule must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months. If not approved within this period, the rule automatically ceases to be in effect. Every six months, the Parliament must approve an extension of President’s Rule until either elections are conducted or the three-year limit is reached.

Judicial Safeguards Against Misuse

Since Article 356 grants significant powers to the central government, it has been misused in the past for political reasons. To prevent such misuse, the Supreme Court introduced safeguards through the landmark S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) case.

The Supreme Court ruled that the imposition of President’s Rule is subject to judicial review, meaning that courts can examine whether the decision to impose it was constitutionally valid. The judgment also stated that before imposing President’s Rule, the Governor must explore all possibilities of forming an alternative government within the state assembly. Additionally, a floor test in the assembly should be conducted to determine whether the ruling party has lost its majority.

Past Instances of President’s Rule in India

Since India’s independence, President’s Rule has been imposed more than 125 times in various states. Some of the most significant instances include Punjab (1987-1992), when it was imposed due to terrorism and insurgency, and Jammu and Kashmir (1990-1996), following the outbreak of separatist violence.

Other examples include Bihar (2005), where it was imposed due to a political deadlock after elections, and Uttarakhand (2016), when it was used following a constitutional crisis. In several of these cases, the imposition of President’s Rule was later challenged in court, leading to a reassessment of its use.

Why Is Manipur Under President’s Rule?

Manipur has been placed under President’s Rule due to a combination of political instability and ethnic violence. On February 13, 2025, the central government imposed President’s Rule following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh. This marks the 11th time Manipur has come under President’s Rule, the highest for any Indian state.

The situation in Manipur deteriorated due to ongoing ethnic clashes between the Kuki-Zo and Meitei communities. The violence, which began in May 2023, has resulted in over 250 deaths and thousands of people being displaced. The inability of the ruling party to contain the violence and restore normalcy led to growing demands for central intervention.

Political Crisis Leading to President’s Rule in Manipur

The resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in February 2025 further deepened the political crisis in Manipur. The ruling BJP was unable to reach a consensus on appointing a new chief minister, creating uncertainty in governance. Without a stable government, the Governor recommended the imposition of President’s Rule to the President.

As a result, the state legislative assembly has been placed under suspended animation. This means that while the assembly is not dissolved, it cannot function until the crisis is resolved. The central government will now oversee the administration of Manipur until stability is restored.

What Happens Next in Manipur?

With President’s Rule in place, the central government will manage the administration of Manipur until conditions are deemed suitable for elections. Law and order measures will be intensified to control the violence and restore peace in the state. Security forces are expected to take strong action against elements responsible for the ongoing ethnic tensions.

The central government has assured that fresh elections will be conducted as soon as the situation improves. If normalcy is restored, elections may be held earlier than the originally scheduled date in 2027. Until then, governance will remain under the control of the Governor and advisors appointed by the central government.