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The Crisis of Democratic Order – Class 12 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Political Science, chapter 13. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

The early 1970s saw economic difficulties, rising prices and popular movements in Gujarat and Bihar led by students and Jayaprakash Narayan. After the Allahabad High Court set aside Indira Gandhi's election in June 1975, a national Emergency was declared on 25 June 1975 on the ground of internal disturbance. Civil liberties were suspended, the press was censored and opposition leaders were arrested. In 1977 elections were held and the Janata Party defeated Congress, forming the first non-Congress government at the centre.

Background to the Emergency

After 1971, high inflation, unemployment, oil price rises and drought caused economic distress.
The Navnirman movement in Gujarat (1974) and the Bihar movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan called for 'Total Revolution'.
Conflicts arose between the government and the judiciary over amendments and the supersession of judges in appointing the Chief Justice.

The Emergency (1975–77)

On 12 June 1975 the Allahabad High Court declared Indira Gandhi's election invalid on a petition by Raj Narain.
Emergency was proclaimed under Article 352 on the ground of internal disturbance; fundamental rights were curtailed and press censorship imposed.
Opposition leaders were detained under preventive detention laws; the 42nd Amendment (1976) made extensive changes to the Constitution.

Aftermath and lessons

In the 1977 elections the Janata Party won, and Morarji Desai became the first non-Congress Prime Minister.
The Shah Commission inquired into excesses during the Emergency.
The 44th Amendment (1978) changed 'internal disturbance' to 'armed rebellion' as a ground for national emergency and strengthened safeguards for civil liberties.

Key terms

Emergency: a period when normal constitutional rights and processes are suspended because of a grave threat
Total Revolution: Jayaprakash Narayan's call for comprehensive social and political change
Preventive detention: arresting a person to prevent a possible offence, without trial
Censorship: control by the government over what is published
Shah Commission: the commission set up in 1977 to inquire into Emergency excesses

Important questions with answers

What was the Shah Commission?2 marks

The Shah Commission was appointed by the Janata government in 1977, headed by Justice J. C. Shah, to inquire into the abuse of authority and excesses committed during the Emergency.

What were the lessons of the Emergency?3 marks

The Emergency showed that it is difficult to do away with democracy in India, since people rejected it in 1977. It exposed ambiguities in the emergency provisions, which were corrected by the 44th Amendment. It also made people more aware of civil liberties and showed the need for an independent judiciary, a free press and strong institutions.

Explain the causes and consequences of the Emergency of 1975.5 marks

Several factors led to the Emergency. After the 1971 victory, economic conditions worsened due to the costs of the Bangladesh war, oil price rises, drought and inflation, causing widespread discontent. Student-led movements in Gujarat and Bihar, the latter led by Jayaprakash Narayan with a call for Total Revolution, demanded the removal of governments and attacked corruption. A railway strike in 1974 added to the tension. The government was also in conflict with the judiciary over constitutional amendments and the supersession of senior judges. On 12 June 1975 the Allahabad High Court declared Indira Gandhi's election invalid on grounds of electoral malpractice. Facing mass protests, the government declared a national Emergency on 25 June 1975 under Article 352 on the ground of internal disturbance. Consequences followed quickly: fundamental rights were curtailed, the press was censored, opposition leaders and activists were arrested under preventive detention laws, and the 42nd Amendment made sweeping changes to the Constitution. Excesses such as forced sterilisation and slum demolitions were reported. In 1977 elections were announced; the opposition united as the Janata Party and defeated Congress, and Morarji Desai became Prime Minister. The Shah Commission investigated excesses, and the 44th Amendment strengthened safeguards. The episode reinforced the commitment of Indians to democracy and civil liberties.

Quick revision

Economic distress; Gujarat and Bihar movements; JP.
Allahabad judgment; Emergency under Article 352.
Censorship, detentions, 42nd Amendment.
Janata victory 1977; Shah Commission; 44th Amendment.

Exam tips

Remember the key dates: 12 June 1975 judgment; 25 June 1975 Emergency; March 1977 elections.
List three lessons of the Emergency for Indian democracy.

Practice MCQs

The national Emergency was declared in
1. 1971
2. 1975
3. 1977
4. 1980
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1975. It lasted until 1977.
'Total Revolution' was called for by
1. Jayaprakash Narayan
2. Morarji Desai
3. Charan Singh
4. Raj Narain
Show answer
Answer: (a) Jayaprakash Narayan. He led the Bihar movement.
The first non-Congress Prime Minister was
1. Charan Singh
2. Chandra Shekhar
3. V. P. Singh
4. Morarji Desai
Show answer
Answer: (d) Morarji Desai. He led the Janata government from 1977.
The court that set aside Indira Gandhi's election in 1975 was the
1. Supreme Court
2. Bombay High Court
3. Allahabad High Court
4. Delhi High Court
Show answer
Answer: (c) Allahabad High Court. The petition was filed by Raj Narain.
The Emergency of 1975 was declared under
1. Article 356
2. Article 370
3. Article 360
4. Article 352
Show answer
Answer: (d) Article 352. It deals with national emergency.
The commission that inquired into Emergency excesses was the
1. Mandal Commission
2. Sarkaria Commission
3. Shah Commission
4. Kothari Commission
Show answer
Answer: (c) Shah Commission. It was set up in 1977.
The 44th Amendment changed the ground for national emergency from internal disturbance to
1. armed rebellion
2. economic crisis
3. foreign aid
4. election defeat
Show answer
Answer: (a) armed rebellion. This made misuse harder.
A key lesson of the Emergency was that
1. civil liberties need strong safeguards and people value democracy
2. democracy cannot survive in India
3. elections are unnecessary
4. the press should always be controlled
Show answer
Answer: (a) civil liberties need strong safeguards and people value democracy. Voters rejected the Emergency in 1977.

All chapters of Class 12 Political Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.