NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 – The Crisis of Democratic Order

NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 explains one of the most controversial and critical phases in the history of Indian democracy — the Emergency period from 25 June 1975 to 21 March 1977. Students should refer to the official NCERT website for authentic textbooks and syllabus updates. In NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6, students learn about the political and economic conditions that led to the declaration of Emergency and its impact on democratic institutions in India.

NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 begins with the economic and political crisis of the early 1970s. India faced serious challenges such as inflation, unemployment and economic slowdown, which led to growing dissatisfaction among citizens. Several protest movements emerged during this period, including the Nav Nirman Movement in Gujarat (1973–1974) and the Bihar Movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan in 1974, which demanded political reforms and greater accountability from the government.

Another major development discussed in NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 is the conflict between the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the Indian judiciary. The political crisis intensified when the Allahabad High Court on 12 June 1975 declared Indira Gandhi’s 1971 election from Rae Bareli invalid. Shortly after this judgment, the National Emergency was declared on 25 June 1975 by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 also explains the events that took place during the Emergency period. Civil liberties were restricted, opposition leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Lal Krishna Advani were arrested, and strict press censorship was imposed. The chapter also discusses the 1977 general elections, in which the Janata Party led by Morarji Desai formed the first non-Congress government at the national level.

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1. Background to Emergency

• During the early 1970s, India faced growing political unrest and dissatisfaction with the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1917–1984) despite the Congress victory in the 1971 Lok Sabha elections and the success of the Bangladesh War in December 1971.
• After the 1971 war and the creation of Bangladesh on 16 December 1971, expectations among the public increased, but soon the country began facing serious economic and political problems.
• The Fourth Five Year Plan (1969–1974) did not achieve the expected economic results, and the country experienced slow economic growth, rising unemployment and increasing prices of essential commodities.
• Political dissatisfaction grew in many parts of the country, especially among students, middle classes and opposition parties, who criticised the government for corruption, authoritarian leadership and failure to control inflation.
• Several political movements emerged during 1973–1974, particularly the Nav Nirman Movement in Gujarat (1973–1974) and the Bihar Movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan (1902–1979) in 1974, demanding major political reforms and resignation of governments.
• The situation became more serious when the Allahabad High Court on 12 June 1975 found Prime Minister Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractice in the 1971 Lok Sabha election from Rae Bareli constituency, creating a major political crisis.
• The growing protests, opposition mobilisation and the court verdict created a serious challenge to the authority of the central government in 1975, which eventually led to the declaration of the National Emergency on 25 June 1975.

1.1 Economic context

• During the early 1970s, India faced serious economic difficulties, which created widespread dissatisfaction among the public and contributed to the political crisis that led to the Emergency in 1975.
• The global oil crisis of 1973, caused by the decision of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) to increase oil prices, led to a sharp rise in the cost of petroleum products, affecting the Indian economy.
• As a result of the 1973 oil shock, India experienced high inflation and a steep increase in the prices of essential commodities, which placed a heavy burden on ordinary citizens and the middle class.
• The economy was also affected by poor agricultural performance and food shortages in the early 1970s, which further increased economic hardship and unemployment.
• These economic problems led to public protests and strikes across different parts of the country, including major labour movements such as the All India Railway Strike of May 1974 led by George Fernandes (1930–2019).
• The economic crisis weakened public confidence in the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, encouraging student organisations, opposition parties and social activists to organise political movements against the government.

1.2 Gujarat and Bihar movements

• One of the earliest mass protests against the government occurred in Gujarat in 1973–1974, where students began an agitation against rising food prices, corruption and economic mismanagement by the Congress government led by Chief Minister Chimanbhai Patel.
• The student protest in Gujarat soon developed into a large political movement known as the Nav Nirman Movement (1974), which demanded the resignation of the state government.
• As the protests intensified, the Government of India dissolved the Gujarat Legislative Assembly in 1974, and fresh elections were later conducted in the state.
• Inspired by the Gujarat movement, a similar protest movement emerged in Bihar in 1974, led by veteran socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan (1902–1979).
• The Bihar movement involved students, youth organisations and opposition parties, who demanded major political reforms and the resignation of the state government.
• Jayaprakash Narayan, popularly known as JP, called for a “Total Revolution” (Sampoorna Kranti) in 1974, which aimed at transforming political, social and economic systems in India.
• The movement gained national attention when Jayaprakash Narayan appealed to the police and armed forces in 1975 to follow their conscience rather than obey unjust government orders, which intensified the conflict between the government and opposition leaders.

1.3 The Naxalite Movement

• The Naxalite Movement began in 1967 in the village of Naxalbari in Darjeeling district of West Bengal, where a group of radical communist leaders and peasants launched an armed uprising against landlords.
• The movement was led by communist leaders such as Charu Mazumdar (1918–1972), Kanu Sanyal (1929–2010) and Jangal Santhal (1925–1981), who believed that violent revolution was necessary to overthrow the existing political and economic system.
• The Naxalite leaders were inspired by the Chinese Communist Revolution of 1949 led by Mao Zedong (1893–1976) and advocated a similar strategy of peasant-based armed struggle in rural areas.
• The movement attracted support mainly from poor peasants, agricultural labourers and tribal communities, especially in regions suffering from land inequality and exploitation by landlords.
• The Naxalite groups rejected parliamentary democracy and electoral politics, arguing that real change could be achieved only through revolutionary violence.
• The Government of India responded with strong police and military action during the late 1960s and early 1970s, which suppressed the movement in many areas, although Naxalite organisations continued to exist in several regions of India.

1.4 Conflict with Judiciary

• During the late 1960s and early 1970s, serious tensions developed between the Government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and the Judiciary of India, particularly the Supreme Court of India.
• One major issue of conflict was the government’s attempt to amend the Constitution to implement socio-economic reforms, especially those related to land reforms and property rights.
• In the Golaknath Case of 1967 (I. C. Golaknath vs State of Punjab), the Supreme Court ruled that Parliament could not amend Fundamental Rights, which limited the government’s ability to introduce certain reforms.
• In response, the government passed the 24th Constitutional Amendment Act in 1971, which restored the power of Parliament to amend any part of the Constitution, including Fundamental Rights.
• Another major legal conflict emerged after the 1971 Lok Sabha election, when Raj Narain, a socialist leader who contested against Indira Gandhi from Rae Bareli constituency, challenged her election in court.
• On 12 June 1975, the Allahabad High Court declared Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractice, invalidated her election to the Lok Sabha and barred her from holding elected office for six years.
• This court judgment created a major political crisis in India in 1975, intensifying opposition protests and increasing pressure on the government.

2. Declaration of Emergency

• On the night of 25 June 1975, the Government of India declared a National Emergency under Article 352 of the Constitution, citing the reason of “internal disturbance.”
• The Emergency proclamation was issued by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed (1905–1977) on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
• The declaration came shortly after the Allahabad High Court judgment of 12 June 1975, which had declared Indira Gandhi’s 1971 election from Rae Bareli invalid and created a major political crisis.
• On the same day, 25 June 1975, opposition leader Jayaprakash Narayan (1902–1979) organised a large public rally in Delhi, calling for nationwide peaceful protests against the government.
• Immediately after the Emergency was declared, the government suspended many fundamental rights, imposed strict press censorship, and arrested thousands of opposition leaders and political activists.
• Prominent leaders arrested during the Emergency included Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani, George Fernandes and many other opposition leaders.
• The Emergency remained in force from 25 June 1975 until 21 March 1977, becoming one of the most controversial periods in the history of Indian democracy.

2.1 Crisis and response

• After the Emergency was declared on 25 June 1975, the government introduced several measures to control political opposition and maintain administrative order.
• The government suspended civil liberties and fundamental rights, allowing authorities to detain individuals without trial under laws such as the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) of 1971.
• Strict press censorship was imposed, and newspapers were required to obtain government approval before publishing political news or criticism of the government.
• The government also introduced economic and administrative reforms through the Twenty-Point Programme announced by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in July 1975, aimed at reducing poverty, controlling inflation and improving economic discipline.
• Sanjay Gandhi (1946–1980), the son of Indira Gandhi, became politically influential during the Emergency and promoted a Five-Point Programme, which included family planning, tree plantation, abolition of dowry, eradication of illiteracy and slum clearance.
• While supporters of the government claimed that the Emergency improved administrative efficiency, reduced strikes and restored economic stability, critics argued that it seriously damaged democratic institutions and civil liberties.

2.2 Consequences

• The Emergency period from 25 June 1975 to 21 March 1977 had profound effects on Indian politics, civil liberties and democratic institutions.
• Thousands of political leaders, activists and journalists were arrested and detained without trial under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), 1971, including leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and George Fernandes.
• Press freedom was severely restricted, and strict censorship of newspapers and media was imposed by the government to prevent criticism of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s administration.
• Political activities such as public protests, strikes and demonstrations were largely banned during the Emergency, weakening the functioning of opposition parties and civil society organisations.
• Several controversial programmes were implemented during this period, including the forced sterilisation campaign under the family planning programme, which became particularly associated with Sanjay Gandhi (1946–1980).
• The Emergency created widespread debate about the balance between governmental authority and individual freedoms, raising serious concerns about the future of democracy in India.

3. Controversies regarding Emergency

• The Emergency declared on 25 June 1975 became one of the most controversial political events in the history of independent India.
• Supporters of the government argued that the Emergency was necessary to restore political stability, control rising protests and maintain national unity during a period of economic and political crisis.
• According to government supporters, the Emergency helped reduce strikes, improve administrative discipline and bring temporary economic stability.
• However, critics strongly argued that the Emergency represented an authoritarian misuse of constitutional powers by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to maintain political control after the Allahabad High Court judgment of 12 June 1975.
• Opposition leaders and many intellectuals believed that the suspension of fundamental rights, press censorship and mass arrests of political opponents seriously damaged the democratic character of the Indian political system.
• The debate over the Emergency continued long after it ended on 21 March 1977, becoming a major topic in discussions about constitutional safeguards and protection of democratic institutions in India.

3.1 Was the Emergency necessary?

• Supporters of the government argued that the National Emergency declared on 25 June 1975 by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi was necessary to restore political stability and maintain order in the country.
• According to the government, the student protests in Gujarat (1973–1974), the Bihar Movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan in 1974, and increasing strikes and political agitations had created a situation of administrative paralysis and political instability.
• Supporters also claimed that opposition leaders such as Jayaprakash Narayan (1902–1979) had called upon the police and armed forces in 1975 to disobey government orders, which the government interpreted as a threat to constitutional authority and national stability.
• Government supporters argued that the Emergency helped restore discipline in administration, reduce strikes and control inflation, and they believed that temporary restrictions on political activities were necessary for national stability.
• However, critics strongly disagreed and argued that the Emergency was primarily declared to protect the political position of Indira Gandhi after the Allahabad High Court judgment of 12 June 1975, which invalidated her election from Rae Bareli in the 1971 Lok Sabha election.
• Critics maintained that the government used the Emergency to suppress opposition parties, silence critics and restrict democratic freedoms, rather than to address genuine national security threats.

3.2 What happened during Emergency?

• During the Emergency period from 25 June 1975 to 21 March 1977, the government suspended many fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India, including the right to freedom of speech and expression.
• Thousands of political leaders and activists were arrested without trial under the Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA), 1971, including Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and George Fernandes.
• The government imposed strict censorship on newspapers, radio and other media, requiring journalists to obtain government approval before publishing political news.
• Several constitutional amendments were passed during this period, including the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1976, which increased the powers of the central government and Parliament.
• Administrative campaigns such as family planning programmes and slum clearance drives were carried out aggressively, especially under the influence of Sanjay Gandhi (1946–1980).
• The forced sterilisation campaigns during 1976, particularly targeting poor and rural populations, became one of the most controversial aspects of the Emergency period.

3.3 Lessons of the Emergency

• The experience of the Emergency (25 June 1975 – 21 March 1977) demonstrated the importance of protecting democratic institutions and civil liberties in India.
• It showed that even though the Constitution of India provided emergency provisions, these powers could be misused by the government if proper safeguards were not maintained.
• After the end of the Emergency, there was a strong public demand to strengthen constitutional protections for fundamental rights and democratic processes.
• As a result, the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1978, passed during the Janata Party government led by Prime Minister Morarji Desai (1977–1979), introduced several safeguards against the misuse of emergency powers.
• The amendment made it more difficult for future governments to declare an Emergency, especially by replacing the term “internal disturbance” with “armed rebellion” in Article 352 of the Constitution.
• The Emergency period also made citizens more aware of the importance of press freedom, judicial independence and the role of opposition parties in protecting democracy.

4. Politics after Emergency

• The Emergency officially ended on 21 March 1977, when Prime Minister Indira Gandhi advised President B. D. Jatti (Acting President of India in 1977) to withdraw the Emergency.
• Shortly before ending the Emergency, Indira Gandhi announced fresh elections to the Lok Sabha in January 1977, hoping to regain public support.
• Opposition leaders who had been imprisoned during the Emergency were released, and they united to form a new political party called the Janata Party in 1977.
• The Janata Party brought together several opposition groups, including leaders from the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Congress (O), Bharatiya Lok Dal and Socialist Party.
• Prominent leaders of the Janata Party included Jayaprakash Narayan, Morarji Desai, Charan Singh, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Lal Krishna Advani and George Fernandes.
• The political environment before the 1977 general elections became highly charged, with the Emergency becoming the central issue of the election campaign.

4.1 Lok Sabha Elections, 1977

• After the end of the Emergency (25 June 1975 – 21 March 1977), the Sixth General Election for the Lok Sabha was held in March 1977.
• The election became a historic referendum on the Emergency and the leadership of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi (1917–1984).
• The newly formed Janata Party (1977) united several opposition groups, including leaders from Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Congress (Organisation), Bharatiya Lok Dal and Socialist parties.
• Major leaders of the Janata Party included Morarji Desai (1896–1995), Jayaprakash Narayan (1902–1979), Charan Singh (1902–1987), Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1924–2018), Lal Krishna Advani (born 1927) and George Fernandes (1930–2019).
• The election campaign focused heavily on the controversial policies of the Emergency period, including mass arrests, censorship of the press and forced sterilisation campaigns.
• In the 1977 Lok Sabha elections, the Janata Party achieved a major victory, while the Indian National Congress suffered a historic defeat, especially in North India.

4.2 Janata Government

• After the victory of the Janata Party in the 1977 general elections, Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister of India on 24 March 1977, forming the first non-Congress government at the national level.
• The Janata Party government (1977–1979) included leaders from different political backgrounds such as Bharatiya Jana Sangh, Bharatiya Lok Dal, Congress (O) and Socialist groups.
• One of the main objectives of the Janata government was to restore democratic institutions and reverse the authoritarian measures introduced during the Emergency (1975–1977).
• The government ordered investigations into the abuses of power during the Emergency, including the controversial actions associated with Sanjay Gandhi (1946–1980).
• The Janata government passed the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act in 1978, which introduced safeguards to prevent misuse of Emergency powers in the future.
• However, internal conflicts and ideological differences among leaders such as Morarji Desai, Charan Singh and other Janata Party leaders weakened the stability of the government.

5. Legacy

• The Emergency period (25 June 1975 – 21 March 1977) left a deep and lasting impact on Indian politics, democratic institutions and public attitudes toward government power.
• One of the most important outcomes was the 1977 general election, where the Indian National Congress led by Prime Minister Indira Gandhi suffered a major defeat, demonstrating the strength of democratic accountability in India.
• The formation of the Janata Party government on 24 March 1977 under Prime Minister Morarji Desai (1896–1995) showed that peaceful transfer of power through elections was firmly established in Indian democracy.
• The experience of the Emergency also led to important constitutional reforms, especially the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1978, which introduced safeguards against the misuse of emergency provisions in Article 352 of the Constitution.
• The Emergency strengthened public awareness about the importance of civil liberties, press freedom, judicial independence and the role of opposition parties in a democratic system.
• Political parties, civil society groups and citizens became more vigilant about protecting democratic rights and preventing concentration of excessive power in the executive branch of government.
• The events of 1975–1977 therefore remain an important reminder of the need to safeguard democratic institutions and constitutional values in India.

NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 provides a critical understanding of the Emergency and its impact on Indian democracy. Studying NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 helps students understand how democratic institutions were challenged and how the Indian political system responded to the crisis.

A careful study of NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 also highlights the importance of constitutional safeguards, civil liberties and judicial independence. The lessons from the Emergency led to important reforms such as the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act of 1978, which introduced safeguards against the misuse of emergency powers. Understanding NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 is important for CBSE board exams and competitive exams such as UPSC and BPSC, where questions about the Emergency and democratic institutions are frequently asked.

Continue reading NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 7 – Rise of Popular Movements to understand how social movements such as the Chipko Movement, Dalit Panthers movement and Narmada Bachao Andolan influenced Indian politics.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. What is NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 about?
NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 explains the political crisis that led to the Emergency declared on 25 June 1975, its impact on democracy and the political developments that followed.

Q2. Why is NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 important for exams?
NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6 is important because it explains major events such as the Emergency (1975–1977), Gujarat and Bihar movements, and the Janata Party government of 1977, which are frequently asked in CBSE and competitive exams like UPSC and BPSC.

Q3. When was the Emergency declared in India according to NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6?
According to NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6, the Emergency was declared on 25 June 1975 by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed on the advice of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Q4. What role did Jayaprakash Narayan play in NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6?
In NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6, Jayaprakash Narayan led a major political movement in 1974 demanding democratic reforms and opposing government policies.

Q5. Which party formed the government after the Emergency according to NCERT Class 12 Indian Polity Chapter 6?
After the 1977 general elections, the Janata Party formed the government, and Morarji Desai became the Prime Minister of India on 24 March 1977.

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