Fill in the blanks: During a Financial Emergency, the salaries of judges can be reduced by the ______.
- A.President
- B.PM
- C.Chief Justice
- D.Finance Commission
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is President. Under Article 360(4), while a Financial Emergency is in operation, the President can issue directions for reducing the salaries and allowances of all or any class of persons serving the Union, including the judges of the Supreme Court and the High Courts. This is a striking exception, because in normal times a judge's salary cannot be varied to his or her disadvantage after appointment, a protection meant to keep the judiciary independent.
The Prime Minister leads the government that would advise such a step, but the power is given to the President. The Chief Justice has no power to cut judges' salaries; he or she heads the judiciary but does not control its pay. The Finance Commission, set up under Article 280, recommends how tax revenue is shared between the Centre and the States and has no role in an emergency. During a Financial Emergency the Centre can also require State money bills to be reserved for the President's consideration.
Read the full article: Emergency Provisions (Articles 352–360): Notes and PYQs
Practice Questions
View allHow many types of emergencies are provided in the Constitution?
- A.2
- B.3
- C.4
- D.5
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Part XVIII of the Constitution provides for three kinds of emergency. A National Emergency under Article 352 can be declared on the ground of war, external aggression or armed rebellion.
Read the full explanation →Which article of the Indian constitution provides for proclamation of Emergency?
- A.Article 364
- B.Article 352
- C.Article 350
- D.Article 362
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It allows the President, if satisfied that a grave emergency exists whereby the security of India or any part of it is threatened by war, external aggression or armed rebellion, to make a Proclamation of Emergency.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following amendment act of the Indian constitution replaced the term "internal disturbance" with "armed rebellion" in the context of a national emergency?
- A.41st Amendment act, 1976
- B.44th Amendment act, 1978
- C.42nd Amendment act, 1976
- D.43rd Amendment act, 1977
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The Emergency of June 1975 was declared on the ground of "internal disturbance", a phrase so vague that almost any political unrest could be brought under it.
Read the full explanation →A Proclamation of National Emergency must be approved by each House within how many months?
- A.1
- B.3
- C.6
- D.9
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A Proclamation of National Emergency must be laid before both Houses of Parliament and approved by each of them within one month of its issue; otherwise it ceases to operate.
Read the full explanation →'Effect of Proclamation of Emergency' is explicitly provided in which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India?
- A.Article 353
- B.Article 350
- C.Article 256
- D.Article 252
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While a National Emergency is in force, it extends the executive power of the Union to giving directions to any State on the manner in which its executive power is to be exercised, and it allows Parliament to make laws on any matter, even one in the State List.
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