Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Article 360.
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
The Constitution of India provides for different types of emergencies, including National Emergency, President rule in states and Financial Emergency. Each of these is governed by specific articles. This question focuses on Financial Emergency and asks you to identify the correct article that empowers the President to declare it. Knowing the distinctions between Articles 352, 356 and 360 is very important for answering emergency related questions in Indian polity effectively.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The Constitution contains three main emergency provisions. Article 352 deals with Proclamation of Emergency in case of war, external aggression or armed rebellion. Article 356 allows President rule in a state when there is failure of the constitutional machinery there. Article 360 specifically deals with Financial Emergency, which can be declared if the financial stability or credit of India or any part of its territory is threatened. Article 350 does not concern emergencies. Therefore, the correct approach is to recall this mapping and choose Article 360 as the article related to Financial Emergency.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that there are three types of emergencies: National Emergency, President rule and Financial Emergency.
Step 2: Remember that Article 352 is about National Emergency for war, external aggression or armed rebellion.
Step 3: Remember that Article 356 concerns President rule in a state due to failure of constitutional machinery.
Step 4: Financial Emergency is specifically mentioned in Article 360, which empowers the President to make such a proclamation.
Step 5: Article 350 deals with language related matters and is not related to emergencies.
Step 6: Therefore, among the options, Article 360 is the correct article for Financial Emergency.
Verification / Alternative check:
A useful way to verify the answer is to remember the grouping of emergency provisions. Articles in the 352 series focus on National Emergency and related matters, while Article 356 focuses on states. Article 360 stands slightly apart and is often mentioned specifically in summary tables of the Constitution as the article for Financial Emergency. Polity textbooks and exam preparation material consistently repeat that Financial Emergency falls under Article 360, making it easy to double check from memory. If you recall that 360 is linked with finances, you can confidently choose this option in the exam.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B: Article 356 deals with President rule, also called State Emergency, and not with Financial Emergency.
Option C: Article 352 deals with National Emergency, not Financial Emergency.
Option D: Article 350 relates to language matters and has no connection with emergency provisions.
Common Pitfalls:
Many learners remember that all emergency provisions are grouped in the same general area of the Constitution but mix up the specific article numbers. Some confuse Article 356 with Financial Emergency because it deals with disruption in states, while others simply guess among 352, 356 and 360. To avoid such mistakes, it is helpful to create a small mnemonic or chart: 352 for war related National Emergency, 356 for state level constitutional failure and 360 for financial distress. A little memorisation effort here ensures you can quickly answer multiple questions on emergencies correctly.
Final Answer:
Article 360.
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