Context and Extension
President’s Rule in Manipur: The Rajya Sabha on August 5, 2025, approved a motion to extend President’s Rule in Manipur by another six months, starting from August 13, 2025. This decision came after the Lok Sabha had already cleared the proposal on July 30, 2025.
Constitutional Provision
Under Article 356 of the Indian Constitution, the President can assume direct control of a state if its administration fails to operate in line with constitutional norms. Such action may follow a Governor’s recommendation or other credible inputs. Once imposed, the state legislature’s powers are suspended, and the authority to legislate passes to Parliament.
Static GK fact: The maximum permissible duration of President’s Rule is three years, subject to Parliamentary approval every six months.
Reason for Continuation
The Union government justified the extension by pointing to the ongoing law and order challenges in the state, primarily due to the prolonged ethnic conflict between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that began in May 2023. The political vacuum intensified after Chief Minister N. Biren Singh stepped down in February 2025.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, a contentious High Court ruling aggravated community tensions. Authorities claimed that the central rule had restored relative calm, with only a single incident of violence reported since its enforcement.
Criticism from Opposition
Opposition parties, especially the Congress, have objected to the extension. They contend that prolonged central rule denies citizens the right to an elected government, undermines federal principles, and delays the restoration of normal democratic functioning in Manipur.
Constitutional Safeguards
The S.R. Bommai case of 1994 set important judicial safeguards, ensuring that the proclamation of President’s Rule can be reviewed by the Supreme Court to prevent arbitrary or politically motivated use of Article 356.
Outlook
With the latest extension, central administration in Manipur is set to continue until February 13, 2026, unless elections are held and a new state government takes office earlier.
Static Usthadian Current Affairs Table
President’s Rule in Manipur:
| Fact | Detail |
| Date of imposition | February 13, 2025, after CM’s resignation and worsening ethnic violence |
| New extension period | From August 13, 2025, for six months |
| Legal provision | Article 356; renewable every six months, maximum of three years |
| Government’s reason | Persistent ethnic clashes and governance breakdown |
| Opposition’s stand | Threat to democracy and delay in elected governance |
| Judicial safeguard | S.R. Bommai judgment allows Supreme Court oversight |
| Expected end date | February 13, 2026, unless revoked or replaced by an elected government |
