Article 392 of Indian Constitution: Power of the President to Remove Difficulties

12/21/20233 min read

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Introduction

The Indian Constitution is a comprehensive document that lays down the framework for the functioning of the Indian government. It consists of various articles that define the powers and responsibilities of different branches of the government. One such article is Article 392, which grants the President of India the power to remove difficulties that may arise during the implementation of the Constitution.

Understanding Article 392

Article 392 of the Indian Constitution empowers the President to take necessary steps to remove any difficulties that may arise in giving effect to the provisions of the Constitution. This provision allows the President to make any adaptations, modifications, or exceptions that may be necessary to ensure the smooth implementation of the Constitution.

The power conferred upon the President under Article 392 is crucial as it enables the government to address unforeseen challenges or obstacles that may hinder the effective implementation of the Constitution. It provides flexibility to the government to make necessary changes without having to go through the lengthy process of amending the Constitution.

Scope of Power

The scope of power under Article 392 is broad and allows the President to take any action that is deemed necessary to remove difficulties. The President can issue orders or make regulations to address any specific difficulty that arises in the implementation of the Constitution.

However, it is important to note that the power of the President under Article 392 is not absolute. The President can only exercise this power when there is a genuine difficulty that needs to be resolved. The exercise of this power is subject to judicial review, and any action taken by the President under Article 392 can be challenged in a court of law.

Examples of Difficulties

There have been instances where the President has exercised the power under Article 392 to remove difficulties that have arisen in the implementation of the Constitution. Some examples of such difficulties include:

  1. Adapting laws: The President can adapt existing laws to conform to the provisions of the Constitution. This may involve modifying certain provisions of the law or making exceptions to ensure compatibility with the Constitution.
  2. Implementing new policies: The President can issue orders or regulations to implement new policies or initiatives that are in line with the objectives of the Constitution. This may involve making changes to existing administrative procedures or creating new mechanisms to achieve the desired goals.
  3. Resolving conflicts: In situations where there is a conflict between different provisions of the Constitution or between the Constitution and other laws, the President can intervene to resolve the conflict and ensure harmony in the legal framework.
  4. Addressing unforeseen circumstances: The President can take necessary steps to address unforeseen circumstances that may arise during the implementation of the Constitution. This may involve making temporary provisions or exceptions to deal with specific situations.

Judicial Review

While the power of the President under Article 392 is significant, it is not absolute. The exercise of this power is subject to judicial review, which means that any action taken by the President can be challenged in a court of law. The courts have the authority to examine the legality and validity of the President's actions and can strike down any action that is found to be unconstitutional or beyond the scope of Article 392.

This judicial review ensures that the power of the President is not misused or abused. It acts as a check on the executive and ensures that the President's actions are in accordance with the principles of the Constitution.

Conclusion

Article 392 of the Indian Constitution grants the President the power to remove difficulties that may arise during the implementation of the Constitution. This power allows the President to make necessary adaptations, modifications, or exceptions to ensure the smooth functioning of the Constitution. However, the exercise of this power is subject to judicial review, which ensures that the President's actions are in line with the principles of the Constitution. The power conferred upon the President under Article 392 is essential in addressing unforeseen challenges and ensuring the effective implementation of the Constitution.