The National Emergency under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution has been declared three times in India’s history
1. First National Emergency (1962–1968)
Reason: Chinese aggression (Indo-China War, 1962)
Declared by: President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan
Prime Minister: Jawaharlal Nehru
Duration: October 26, 1962 – January 10, 1968
Ground: External aggression
Details: Declared during the war with China; continued during the Pakistan war of 1965 as well.
2. Second National Emergency (1971–1977)
Reason: Indo-Pakistan War (Bangladesh Liberation War)
Declared by: President V. V. Giri
Prime Minister: Indira Gandhi
Duration: December 3, 1971 – March 21, 1977
Ground: External aggression
Details: Declared during the war with Pakistan; continued even after the war ended.
3. Third National Emergency (1975–1977)
Reason: Internal disturbance (Political instability and opposition movements)
Declared by: President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed
Prime Minister: Indira Gandhi
Duration: June 25, 1975 – March 21, 1977
Ground: Internal disturbance (now replaced by “armed rebellion” after 44th Amendment, 1978)
Details: This was the most controversial emergency, marked by suspension of fundamental rights and press censorship.
Summary Table:
1 1962–1968 China war (External aggression) 352 Jawaharlal Nehru First Emergency
2 1971–1977 Pakistan war (External aggression) 352 Indira Gandhi Continued long after war
3 1975–1977 Internal disturbance 352 Indira Gandhi Most controversial
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