Prelims fact sheets
National Emergency (Article 352): UPSC Polity Fact Sheet
A National Emergency is proclaimed by the President under Article 352 when India's security is threatened by war, external aggression or armed rebellion, on the written advice of the Union Cabinet.
Pragnya IAS Academy, Hyderabad · Updated 16 October 2026 · 5 min read
Key facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Article | 352 (Part XVIII — Emergency Provisions, Articles 352–360) |
| Grounds | War, external aggression or armed rebellion |
| Advice | Written decision of the Union Cabinet (44th Amendment) |
| Approval | Both Houses within one month, by special majority; renewable every six months |
| Revocation | President may revoke anytime; Lok Sabha can disapprove by simple majority |
| Rights | Article 19 suspended only in war/external aggression (Art. 358); Articles 20 and 21 cannot be suspended (Art. 359) |
| Proclaimed | 1962, 1971, 1975 |
Why it matters for UPSC
- GS 2 polity: emergency turns the federal structure unitary — Parliament can legislate on State List subjects.
- The 1975–77 emergency and the 44th Amendment are standard Mains and essay examples of constitutional safeguards.
Prelims angle
Prelims asks the special majority requirement, the one-month approval window, which rights cannot be suspended and the three times emergency was proclaimed.
Frequently asked questions
Which rights cannot be suspended during a National Emergency?
Articles 20 and 21, after the 44th Amendment.
How often has a National Emergency been declared in India?
Three times: 1962, 1971 and 1975.