BharatNotes Proclamation
nounUsage in a UPSC answer
By invoking Article 356, the Union government issues a Proclamation of President's Rule, suspending the elected state machinery — a step the Supreme Court in S.R. Bommai held to be subject to judicial review to guard against political misuse.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
proclaim (v), proclaimed (adj), proclaimer (n), proclamatory (adj)
Root
Latin prōclāmāre = to shout forth; prō- = forth; clāmāre = to cry out; via Old French
Etymology
From late Middle English, via Old French from Latin prōclāmātiō, from prōclāmāre ("to shout forth"), from prō- ("forth") + clāmāre ("to cry out").
Memory Hook
PRO- (forth) + CLAIM (to cry out): think of a herald who steps forth to publicly CLAIM and cry out the king's word — a proclamation is a "crying-out-forth" for all to hear.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
A formal declaration issued by the President under constitutional authority, and three kinds exist whose procedural conditions differ, which is precisely what questions test. A Proclamation of Emergency under Article 352 requires the written advice of the Cabinet, must be approved within a month by each House by a special majority, and thereafter continues six months at a time. A Proclamation under Article 356 imposing President's Rule requires approval within two months by simple majority, continues six months at a time and may not ordinarily exceed three years. A Proclamation of Financial Emergency under Article 360 requires approval within two months by simple majority and then continues until revoked. The judicial control is equally examinable, since S.R. Bommai held that a Proclamation under Article 356 is subject to judicial review, that a government's majority must be tested on the floor of the House rather than in the Governor's assessment, and that dissolution of the Assembly should await parliamentary approval.
Don’t Confuse It With
A Proclamation under Article 352 declares a national emergency, under Article 356 imposes President's Rule and under Article 360 declares a financial emergency, and the approval thresholds differ, a special majority for the first and a simple majority for the other two. Promulgation is the distinct act of bringing an ordinance into force under Article 123. A notification is an executive instrument published in the Gazette. Revocation ends a Proclamation, and one under Article 352 must be revoked if the Lok Sabha passes a resolution to that effect.
Hindi Meaning
उद्घोषणा (udghoshanā).
Common Questions
- What are the three kinds of Proclamation under the Constitution?
- A national emergency under Article 352, President's Rule under Article 356, and a financial emergency under Article 360, each with different approval requirements.
- What did S.R. Bommai decide?
- That a Proclamation under Article 356 is subject to judicial review, that a government's majority must be tested on the floor of the House, and that the Assembly should not be dissolved before Parliament approves.
Seen in UPSC Question Papers
- Prelims 2017 — Federalism
- Prelims 2014 — Modern India
Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Proclamation” — proof this word earns its place on your list.
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