Answer:
President’s Rule refers to the suspension of a state government and the imposition of direct rule of the Centre. The central government takes direct control of the state in question and the Governor becomes the chief executive of the state. The State Assembly is either dissolved or prorogued. Such a situation forces the Election Commission to conduct a re-election within six months.
President’s rule can be imposed on two grounds:

• Under Article 356, i.e., failure of constitutional machinery in the States. If the President receives a report from the state’s Governor or otherwise is convinced or satisfied that the State’s situation is such that the state government cannot carry on the governance according to the provision of the Constitution.
• Under Article 365, the President of India gets the power to suspend a state government under the following conditions:
  • The state legislature is not able to elect a leader as the Chief Minister for a time prescribed by the state’s Governor.
  • If a coalition government in the state breaks down, the CM ends up having a minority.
  • A no-confidence vote is passed in the Legislative Assembly.
  • Elections of the state are postponed due to unavoidable reasons like natural disasters.

Procedure to impose President’s rule in a state:

• On the fulfilment of above conditions, the President proclaims the President’s rule in a state. However, this proclamation should be approved within two months by both the House of Parliament. This approval takes place through simple majority in either House.
• Thereafter, it remains in force for six months. It can be extended for a maximum period of three years with the approval of Parliament every six months.

Effects of imposition of the President Rule:

• When the President’s rule is imposed in a state, the President dismisses the State Council of Ministers, headed by the Chief Minister.
• The state Governor, on behalf of the President, carries on the State administration with the help of Chief Secretary of the state, or the advisors appointed by the President.
• Further, the President either suspends or dissolves the State Legislative Assembly. The powers of the State Legislature in that case are exercised by the Parliament. The Parliament may also delegate these powers to the President.

President rule has been criticized for its misuse in the past. The 44th Constitutional Amendment Act has provided that such a proclamation can be challenged in a court of law to check its misuse. In the SR Bommai case, the Supreme Court held that the Presidential proclamation imposing state emergency is subject to judicial review.