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The Crisis of Democratic Order

NCERT Class 12 · Political Science Based on NCERT Class 12 Political Science textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter examines the period between 1973 and 1977, focusing on the imposition of the Emergency in 1975, its consequences, and the subsequent restoration of democracy. It explores the political, economic, and constitutional crises that led to the suspension of democratic processes, the role of key actors like Indira Gandhi and Jayaprakash Narayan, and the lessons learned for Indian democracy. The one big idea is that the Emergency was a critical test of India's democratic resilience, revealing both the fragility and the strength of its institutions, and ultimately strengthening democratic foundations through the electoral verdict of 1977.
Key Concepts (14)
Emergency
A state of exception under Article 352 of the Constitution, proclaimed by the President on grounds of external threat or internal disturbance, which suspends federal distribution of powers and allows curtailment of Fundamental Rights.
e.g. The Emergency declared on 25 June 1975 by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, citing a threat of internal disturbance.
Article 352
The constitutional provision that allows the President to proclaim a state of Emergency on grounds of war, external aggression, or armed rebellion (originally 'internal disturbance').
e.g. The government invoked Article 352 on 25 June 1975 to declare a state of emergency due to perceived internal disturbance.
Garibi Hatao
The slogan of the Congress party in the 1971 elections, meaning 'remove poverty', which promised pro-poor welfare programmes.
e.g. Despite the slogan, economic conditions worsened after 1971-72 due to the Bangladesh crisis, war with Pakistan, and rising oil prices.
Total Revolution (Sampoorna Kranti)
The call given by Jayaprakash Narayan during the Bihar movement for a comprehensive transformation in social, economic, and political spheres to establish true democracy.
e.g. The slogan 'Sampoorna Kranti ab nara hai, bhavi itihas hamara hai' was used during the Bihar movement of 1974.
Naxalites
Marxist-Leninist (now Maoist) groups that did not believe in parliamentary politics and took to arms and insurgent techniques to overthrow the capitalist order and established political system.
e.g. Naxalites were particularly strong in West Bengal, where the state government took stringent measures to suppress them.
Kesavananda Bharati Case
A landmark Supreme Court case that established the 'basic structure' doctrine, ruling that Parliament cannot amend the basic features of the Constitution.
e.g. This case was the culmination of the conflict between the government and judiciary over the power to amend Fundamental Rights.
Preventive Detention
The arrest and detention of a person not for committing an offence, but on the apprehension that they may commit an offence in the future.
e.g. During the Emergency, the government made extensive use of preventive detention acts to arrest political workers without informing them of the reasons.
Habeas Corpus
A writ that requires a person under arrest to be brought before a court, to prevent unlawful detention. It was suspended during the Emergency.
e.g. In April 1976, the Supreme Court ruled that during Emergency, the government could take away the citizen's right to life and liberty, effectively closing the door on habeas corpus petitions.
Press Censorship
The requirement for newspapers to obtain prior approval for all material to be published, imposed during the Emergency to control information.
e.g. Newspapers like the Indian Express and The Statesman protested by leaving blank spaces where news items had been censored.
Forty-Second Amendment
A series of constitutional changes passed during the Emergency, including extending the duration of legislatures from five to six years and making elections of the Prime Minister, President, and Vice-President unchallengeable in court.
e.g. This amendment was intended to be permanent, not just for the Emergency period.
Janata Party
A new political party formed on the eve of the 1977 elections by merging major opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Congress (O), Bharatiya Lok Dal, and Socialist Party, under the leadership of Jayaprakash Narayan.
e.g. The Janata Party won 295 seats in the 1977 Lok Sabha elections, defeating the Congress for the first time since Independence.
Non-Congressism
The political strategy of opposition parties to avoid division of non-Congress votes and unite against the Congress party.
e.g. The formation of the Janata Party in 1977 was a successful example of non-Congressism, leading to the defeat of the Congress.
Shah Commission Report
A report by the commission appointed by the Janata Party government in 1977 to investigate the excesses of the Emergency, which found that the administration and police became vulnerable to political pressures.
e.g. The report highlighted that institutions like the police and bureaucracy were turned into political instruments of the ruling party during the Emergency.
Mandal Commission
A commission appointed by the Janata Party government to examine the issue of reservations for 'Other Backward Classes' (OBCs), which became a major political issue after the Emergency.
e.g. The issue of backward caste reservations became controversial in Bihar, leading to the appointment of the Mandal Commission.
How It Works
Imposition of Emergency under Article 352
  1. Step 1: The Prime Minister recommends the imposition of Emergency to the President, citing a threat of internal disturbance or external aggression.
  2. Step 2: The President issues the proclamation, which suspends federal distribution of powers and allows curtailment of Fundamental Rights.
  3. Step 3: The Cabinet is informed after the proclamation, as happened on 26 June 1975 at 6 a.m.
  4. Step 4: The government uses special powers to arrest opposition leaders, impose press censorship, ban strikes, and suspend civil liberties.
💡 Students often forget that the Cabinet was informed after the proclamation, not before, which was a controversial aspect of the 1975 Emergency.
The 1977 Lok Sabha Elections as a Referendum on Emergency
  1. Step 1: In January 1977, the government decides to hold elections after 18 months of Emergency.
  2. Step 2: All political leaders and activists are released from jails.
  3. Step 3: Opposition parties merge to form the Janata Party, accepting Jayaprakash Narayan's leadership.
  4. Step 4: The Janata Party campaigns on the slogan 'save democracy', focusing on the non-democratic character of the Emergency.
  5. Step 5: The Congress is defeated, winning only 154 seats, while the Janata Party and its allies win 330 seats.
  6. Step 6: The verdict is seen as a clear rejection of the Emergency, especially in north India.
💡 Students often think the 1977 elections were a nationwide rejection of the Congress, but the Congress retained seats in the south, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Orissa.
Conflict between Parliament and Judiciary (Pre-Emergency)
  1. Step 1: The Supreme Court rules that Parliament cannot abridge Fundamental Rights.
  2. Step 2: The Court also rules that Parliament cannot curtail the right to property through amendments.
  3. Step 3: Parliament amends the Constitution to abridge Fundamental Rights for Directive Principles, but the Supreme Court rejects this.
  4. Step 4: The Kesavananda Bharati Case (1973) establishes the 'basic structure' doctrine, limiting Parliament's amending power.
  5. Step 5: The government supersedes three senior judges to appoint Justice A.N. Ray as Chief Justice, escalating tension.
💡 Students often confuse the Kesavananda Bharati Case with the Golaknath Case. Kesavananda Bharati established the basic structure doctrine, while Golaknath earlier said Fundamental Rights were unamendable.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing 'Internal Disturbance' with 'Armed Rebellion'
✗ The Emergency was declared because of armed rebellion in the country.
→ The original Article 352 allowed Emergency on grounds of 'internal disturbance', not specifically 'armed rebellion'. The term 'armed rebellion' was substituted only after the Emergency, through the 44th Amendment.
✓ The Emergency was declared on the ground of 'threat of internal disturbance', as per the original Article 352. Later, the Constitution was amended to replace 'internal disturbance' with 'armed rebellion'.
⚠ Thinking the Emergency Suspended All Fundamental Rights for All Time
✗ During the Emergency, all Fundamental Rights were permanently suspended.
→ Fundamental Rights were suspended only during the period of Emergency, and the suspension was not permanent. Also, not all rights were suspended; the right to life and personal liberty was effectively suspended through the Supreme Court's habeas corpus ruling.
✓ During the Emergency, the government suspended the enforcement of Fundamental Rights, including the right to move the court for restoration of rights. The suspension was temporary and ended with the Emergency.
⚠ Attributing the Emergency Solely to the Allahabad High Court Verdict
✗ The Emergency was declared because the Allahabad High Court declared Indira Gandhi's election invalid.
→ While the High Court verdict was the immediate trigger, the Emergency had deeper causes: economic crisis (inflation, unemployment), political protests (Gujarat and Bihar movements), conflict with the judiciary, and the railway strike of 1974.
✓ The immediate cause was the Allahabad High Court verdict declaring Indira Gandhi's election invalid, but the background included economic hardship, mass protests, and a growing confrontation between the government and the judiciary.
⚠ Assuming the Janata Party Government Was Stable and Effective
✗ The Janata Party government was a strong and united government that successfully restored democracy.
→ The Janata Party government was far from cohesive. It suffered from internal power struggles among Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, and Jagjivan Ram, lacked a common programme, and fell within 28 months due to splits.
✓ The Janata Party government was unstable due to factional infighting and lack of direction. It lost its majority in less than 28 months, leading to fresh elections in 1980.
⚠ Thinking the 1977 Election Was a Nationwide Anti-Congress Wave
✗ The Congress lost the 1977 elections all over India because of the Emergency.
→ The Congress did not lose everywhere. It retained many seats in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Orissa, and swept through the southern states. The impact of the Emergency was felt most strongly in north India.
✓ The Congress lost heavily in north India (Bihar, UP, Delhi, Haryana, Punjab) but retained support in the south and parts of the west. The election results were regionally varied.
Compare & Contrast
Nature of governance and civil liberties
Emergency of 1975
Normal Democratic Governance
During Emergency, federal distribution of powers is suspended, Fundamental Rights are curtailed, press is censored, and preventive detention is used without judicial review. In normal times, the Constitution guarantees Fundamental Rights, federalism, and an independent judiciary.
Leadership and scope
Gujarat Movement (1974)
Bihar Movement (1974-75)
The Gujarat movement was led by students and joined by opposition parties like Congress (O) under Morarji Desai, leading to fresh elections in June 1975. The Bihar movement was led by Jayaprakash Narayan, who gave a call for 'Total Revolution' and aimed to spread the movement nationally, demanding the dismissal of the Congress government in Bihar.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 Short Answer (3 marks), 1 Long Answer (5 marks), and occasionally a Source-Based Question (4 marks). Total: approximately 13-14 marks.
Most asked: Reasons for the imposition of Emergency (economic, political, judicial conflict) · Consequences of Emergency (suspension of rights, press censorship, preventive detention) · The 1977 Lok Sabha elections and the formation of the Janata Party · Lessons of the Emergency for Indian democracy · The conflict between Parliament and Judiciary (Kesavananda Bharati case) · The role of Jayaprakash Narayan and the Bihar movement
Don't skip: Long Answer (5 marks): 'Analyse the reasons for the imposition of Emergency in 1975 and its consequences on Indian democracy.'; Short Answer (3 marks): 'What were the lessons of the Emergency for Indian democracy?'; Source-Based Question: 'Read the passage and answer: What made the party system look like a two-party system in 1977?'
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. The Emergency was imposed on 25 June 1975 under Article 352 on grounds of internal disturbance.
  2. The immediate trigger was the Allahabad High Court verdict declaring Indira Gandhi's election invalid.
  3. Economic causes of the Emergency included high inflation (23% in 1973, 30% in 1974), unemployment, and the 1972-73 monsoon failure.
  4. The Gujarat and Bihar movements were major political protests against rising prices, corruption, and the Congress government.
  5. Jayaprakash Narayan gave the call for 'Total Revolution' (Sampoorna Kranti) during the Bihar movement.
  6. The railway strike of 1974, led by George Fernandes, paralysed the country and was declared illegal.
  7. The Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) established the 'basic structure' doctrine, limiting Parliament's power to amend the Constitution.
  8. During the Emergency, Fundamental Rights were suspended, press censorship was imposed, and preventive detention was used extensively.
  9. The Supreme Court's habeas corpus ruling in April 1976 allowed the government to detain people without informing them of the reasons.
  10. The 1977 elections were a referendum on the Emergency, leading to the defeat of the Congress and the formation of the Janata Party.
  11. The Janata Party government was unstable and fell within 28 months due to internal factionalism.
  12. The 42nd Amendment during the Emergency extended the duration of legislatures from five to six years.
  13. The Shah Commission Report found that the administration and police were turned into political instruments during the Emergency.
  14. The Mandal Commission was appointed by the Janata Party government to address reservations for Other Backward Classes.
  15. The Emergency strengthened Indian democracy by making voters punish anti-democratic governments.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. In which year did the inflation rate reach 23-30 percent, causing widespread economic hardship?

  • A. 1972
  • B. 1973-1974 ✓
  • C. 1975
  • D. 1976

Answer: B — The study material explicitly states prices increased by 23 per cent in 1973 and 30 per cent in 1974 due to international oil crisis and Bangladesh War aftermath.

Q2. Which justice of the Allahabad High Court delivered the judgment on June 12, 1975 that declared Indira Gandhi's election void?

  • A. Justice Sinha ✓
  • B. Justice Hidayatullah
  • C. Justice Beg
  • D. Justice Chandrachud

Answer: A — Justice Sinha delivered the Allahabad High Court judgment declaring Indira Gandhi's 1971 election void for electoral malpractices, triggering the crisis.

Q3. What does 'garibi hatao' mean and in which election was it used as a slogan?

  • A. Remove corruption—1967 elections
  • B. Remove poverty—1971 elections ✓
  • C. Remove unemployment—1973 elections
  • D. Remove inflation—1975 elections

Answer: B — Congress used 'garibi hatao' (remove poverty) as the slogan in 1971 elections, but socio-economic conditions did not improve afterward.

Q4. Which state's Congress government was defeated in June 1975 elections after students' protests?

  • A. Bihar
  • B. West Bengal
  • C. Gujarat ✓
  • D. Uttar Pradesh

Answer: C — Gujarat students protested against rising prices and corruption in January 1974, leading to assembly elections in June 1975 where Congress was defeated.

Q5. Who led the Bihar movement of 1974 and demanded total revolution (Sampoorna Kranti)?

  • A. Morarji Desai
  • B. Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) ✓
  • C. George Fernandes
  • D. Madhu Dandavate

Answer: B — Jayaprakash Narayan, who had quit active politics, was invited to lead the Bihar student movement and gave the call for total revolution with national appeal.

Q6. Which constitutional article was invoked by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed to declare Emergency on June 25, 1975?

  • A. Article 256
  • B. Article 352 ✓
  • C. Article 370
  • D. Article 356

Answer: B — Article 352 was invoked citing the perceived threat of internal disturbance to national security, allowing Emergency declaration.

Q7. Assertion: Press censorship during Emergency meant newspapers could not print editorials. Reason: Many newspapers left blank editorial spaces to protest the censorship.

  • A. Both assertion and reason are correct; reason explains assertion ✓
  • B. Both are correct; reason does not explain assertion
  • C. Assertion is correct, reason is incorrect
  • D. Both assertion and reason are incorrect

Answer: A — Both statements are true—press was censored so newspapers couldn't print editorials, and they left blank spaces as protest, with blank spaces later also banned.

Q8. What was the impact of the Bangladesh War (1971) on India's economy that contributed to the Emergency crisis?

  • A. Increased exports and foreign investment
  • B. 8 million refugees crossed into India; US stopped all aid; international aid increased
  • C. 8 million refugees crossed into India; US stopped all aid; followed by increased inflation ✓
  • D. Improved agricultural productivity and reduced unemployment

Answer: C — The Bangladesh crisis brought 8 million refugees, US aid stopped, oil prices surged internationally, leading to 23-30% inflation in 1973-74 and contributing to the crisis.

Q9. Which of the following is NOT a reason mentioned in the text for the imposition of Emergency in June 1975?

  • A. Allahabad High Court judgment declaring Indira's election void
  • B. Widespread student agitation and JP's movement
  • C. Economic crisis with high inflation and unemployment
  • D. India's defeat in the Sino-Indian War of 1962 ✓

Answer: D — The 1962 Sino-Indian War occurred 13 years before Emergency and is not mentioned as a reason for the 1975 Emergency declaration.

Q10. According to the study material, what was the connection between the failed monsoons of 1972-73 and the Emergency crisis?

  • A. Failed monsoons led to increased agricultural productivity and surplus food
  • B. Failed monsoons caused 8% decline in food grain output, contributing to inflation and public dissatisfaction ✓
  • C. Failed monsoons were directly responsible for the constitutional crisis
  • D. There was no connection between monsoon failure and Emergency

Answer: B — Failed monsoons 1972-73 resulted in 8% decline in agricultural productivity, worsening food scarcity and inflation that fuelled public dissatisfaction and protests.

Flashcards

What was the economic inflation rate in 1973 and 1974?

Prices increased by 23 per cent in 1973 and 30 per cent in 1974, causing severe hardship to common people.

Who was Jayaprakash Narayan (JP) and what was his role in 1974?

A former freedom fighter who led the Bihar student movement of 1974, demanding total revolution and spread of agitation nationwide.

What was the Allahabad High Court judgment of June 12, 1975?

Justice Sinha declared Indira Gandhi's 1971 election void for electoral malpractices, triggering the constitutional crisis leading to Emergency.

Define garibi hatao.

The slogan 'remove poverty' given by Congress in 1971 elections, but socio-economic conditions did not improve after 1971-72.

Which state government's failure in 1975 elections marked a major political turning point?

Gujarat's Congress government was defeated in June 1975 elections after students' protests against rising prices and corruption.

What does MISA stand for and how was it used during Emergency?

Maintenance of Internal Security Act used to arrest opposition leaders and activists without trial under preventive detention powers.

What were the consequences of the Bangladesh War on India's economy?

About 8 million refugees crossed into India, US stopped all aid, and oil prices increased manifold causing widespread inflation.

Name three opposition parties that supported Jayaprakash Narayan in 1975.

Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Congress (O), Bharatiya Lok Dal, and Socialist Party were among the non-Congress opposition parties.

Which article of the Constitution was invoked to declare Emergency on June 25, 1975?

Article 352 was invoked, citing the perceived threat of internal disturbance to national security.

What does the blank editorial space in Nai Dunia newspaper on June 27, 1975 symbolise?

It symbolises press censorship during Emergency—editorials were censored and many newspapers left blank spaces to protest.

Important Board Questions

What does the term 'garibi hatao' mean? Give one example of how the promise was not fulfilled after 1971. [2 marks]

Define as Congress's 1971 election slogan meaning 'remove poverty'. Example: inflation 23-30% in 1973-74, unemployment high, or agricultural decline after Bangladesh War despite promise.

Explain the role of Jayaprakash Narayan in the Bihar student movement of 1974. How did his participation transform it into a national issue? [4 marks]

JP joined in March 1974 with condition of non-violence and national appeal. His involvement attracted opposition parties (Jana Sangh, Congress(O), Socialists). Demands: dismiss Bihar govt, total revolution. 1975 parliament march—largest rally. Opposition united behind him.

Analyse the causes that led to the imposition of Emergency on June 25, 1975. What were its immediate consequences on Indian democracy and politics? [6 marks]

Causes: (1) Allahabad judgment June 12, 1975 voiding Indira's election; (2) JP-led nationwide agitation with opposition unity; (3) economic crisis—inflation 23-30%, unemployment; (4) railway strike threat; (5) constitutional crisis between Court and Executive. Consequences: Article 352 invoked, Fundamental Rights suspended except Article 21, press censorship, MISA arrests, 42nd Amendment added socialist/secular. Result: Congress lost 1977 elections to Janata Party (542 seats), Indira lost Rae Bareli.

Assertion-Reason Questions for The Crisis of Democratic Order

Q1. Assertion (A):

The Supreme Court's decisions against government initiatives during 1973-1975 were based on constitutional grounds, not political opposition to Indira Gandhi.

Reason (R):

The Court found many government initiatives to be violative of the Constitution, particularly those affecting individual rights and federalism.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true and the reason directly explains the assertion. The Court's constitutional review function is separate from its effect of seeming to oppose the government's policy agenda.

Q2. Assertion (A):

Jayaprakash Narayan's 'Sampoorna Kranti' movement remained purely a student agitation without political dimensions.

Reason (R):

JP accepted leadership with conditions that the movement remain non-violent and extend beyond Bihar, after which major opposition parties joined.

Answer: D — A is false but R is true — The assertion is false—the movement quickly became political when opposition parties joined and JP gave the call for total revolution in social, economic, and political spheres. The reason is true and directly contradicts the assertion.

Q3. Assertion (A):

The garibi hatao slogan of 1971 failed because Indira Gandhi deliberately mismanaged the economy for political gain.

Reason (R):

External factors like global oil price surges and the Bangladesh war created economic strains that inflation reached 23-30%, which were beyond the government's direct control.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — Both statements are true. The slogan did fail (assertion true), and the reason provides legitimate external economic causes. However, the reason does not fully explain why the assertion is true—other internal policy failures also contributed, so the reason is not the complete explanation.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for The Crisis of Democratic Order

Case Study:

In June 1975, newspapers across India faced unprecedented censorship under the newly proclaimed Emergency. The editorial page of 'Nai Dunia' on June 27, 1975, appeared completely blank—not due to lack of content, but because the government had censored the editorial using emergency powers. Many other newspapers also carried blank spaces, sometimes as deliberate protest against the emergency, until even this form of dissent was banned. The government justified these measures as necessary to maintain internal stability amid alleged threats to national security. This marked a dramatic shift from India's initial decades of democratic openness and free press.

Q1. What was the primary method used by newspapers to initially protest against Emergency-imposed censorship?

  • A. Publishing articles criticizing the government
  • B. Leaving blank editorial spaces ✓
  • C. Organizing public rallies
  • D. Going on indefinite strike

Answer: B

Q2. Which newspaper example is specifically mentioned in the passage to illustrate Emergency censorship?

  • A. The Times of India
  • B. Indian Express
  • C. Nai Dunia ✓
  • D. Hindustan Times

Answer: C

Q3. According to the passage, what happened to the practice of leaving blank spaces as protest?

  • A. It became more widespread
  • B. It was also subsequently banned ✓
  • C. Newspapers voluntarily stopped it
  • D. The government encouraged it

Answer: B

Q4. How did the government justify Emergency censorship measures?

  • A. To promote national unity
  • B. To improve India's international image
  • C. To maintain internal stability and address alleged security threats ✓
  • D. To support pro-poor welfare programmes

Answer: C

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Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for The Crisis of Democratic Order

Real CBSE board exam questions from past papers — free to attempt.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/3/2 · 1 mark

In which year did the largest public sector undertaking, Railways, go on a strike?

  • 1974
  • 1973
  • 1972
  • 1971

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/1 · 2 marks

Name any four political parties that had merged to form Janata Party in 1977.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/2 · 2 marks

State any two reasons for the Students' Movement in Gujarat in 1974.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/3 · 2 marks

State any two reasons for the Students' Movement in Bihar in 1974.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/1 · 1 mark

[Diagram/Map-based question — skipped]

The state related to student movement against inflation and corruption in 1974.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/3 · 4 marks

[Diagram/Map-based question — skipped]

In the given political outline map of India, four states have been marked as A, B, C and D. Identify these on the basis of the information given below: (i) The state related to student movement against inflation and corruption in 1974.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/1 · 1 mark

Arrange the following events in chronological order: (i) Declaration of National Emergency on the basis of internal disturbances. (ii) Railway strike by government employees under the leadership of George Fernandes. (iii) Sixth General Election held in India. (iv) Declaration of the doctrine of 'basic structure' of the Constitution in the 'Keshavananda Bharti' case by the Supreme Court.

  • (iv), (ii), (i), (iii)
  • (i), (iii), (iv), (ii)
  • (iii), (ii), (i), (iv)
  • (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/3 · 1 mark

Arrange the following events in chronological order: (i) Declaration of National Emergency on the basis of internal disturbances. (ii) Railway strike by government employees under the leadership of George Fernandes. (iii) Sixth General Election held in India. (iv) Declaration of the doctrine of 'basic structure' of the Constitution in the 'Keshavananda Bharti' case by the Supreme Court. Choose the correct option:

  • (iv), (ii), (i), (iii)
  • (i), (iii), (iv), (ii)
  • (iii), (ii), (i), (iv)
  • (iv), (iii), (ii), (i)

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/3/1 · 1 mark

Which one of the following was the decision of the Supreme Court given on 24 June, 1975 about the Indira Gandhi case?

  • Election of Indira Gandhi was invalid.
  • Indira Gandhi used the services of the government officials in her election campaign which is against the concept of 'basic structure' of the Constitution.
  • Indira Gandhi was ordered to resign from her post immediately.
  • Indira Gandhi was granted a partial stay on the High Court order, allowing her to remain a member of the Parliament, but could not take part in the Lok Sabha proceedings.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/3/1 · 2 marks

Which two reasons were given by the Government for declaring the National Emergency in 1975?

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/3/3 · 2 marks

Explain any two effects of the National Emergency declared in June 1975.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/4/1 · 4 marks

Explain any four steps taken by the government to control the opposition to Emergency imposed in 1975.

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Class 12 Political Science Previous Year Questions, Chapter-wise

All 761 CBSE board questions from 2022–2026, sorted by chapter and question type. Free PDF download.

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Class 12 Political Science Map Work

Every state-identification clue for the map question, chapter-wise, with answers, marked with the board years (2022–2026) each was asked. Free PDF download.

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