Article 369 of Indian Constitution

Article 369 of Indian Constitution – Allows Parliament temporary powers to legislate on stat… Learn definition, status, related articles, UPSC relevance.
📅 Part XII – Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits
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📚 UPSC Relevant

Article Number

369

part

Part XII – Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits

Status

Active

Full Definition & Explanation

Article 369 grants temporary powers to the Indian Parliament to legislate on certain matters that are usually under the jurisdiction of state governments. This power was designed to facilitate uniformity in laws related to trade, commerce, and specific goods like textiles and foodstuffs across the country. It allows Parliament to intervene in state matters for a limited time, which was initially set for five years from the commencement of the Constitution. This temporary measure aimed to create a coherent legal framework during the formative years of independent India.

The article specifically mentions various commodities, such as cotton, coal, and foodstuffs, where Parliament can legislate as if these matters were part of the Concurrent List. The Concurrent List allows both Parliament and state legislatures to make laws on a subject, providing flexibility in governance. However, it’s key to note that laws made under this article will cease to be effective after the five-year period unless they are continued or amended by future legislation. This provision ensures that Parliament’s legislative power is not permanent but is a response to specific needs of the time.

The impact of Article 369 can be seen in how it enabled the central government to take necessary actions during a period of transition. It helped prevent legal confusion and provided a platform for economic development. For instance, during the early years, managing trade and commerce regulations was necessary for growth. Thus, Article 369 played a major role in establishing a framework that supported economic activities and protected the interests of consumers across states, which was key for integrating India’s diverse economy.

Historical Context

Article 369 was included in the Indian Constitution when it was adopted in 1950. It was meant to address immediate post-independence challenges of governance and economic integration. Although it was originally temporary, it has not been amended significantly since then. The Supreme Court case of State of Madhya Pradesh vs. Ramesh Chandra (1970) highlighted the need for clarity on legislative powers between states and the center, showcasing the article’s relevance even decades later. This historical evolution demonstrates the responsive nature of the constitutional framework in addressing the nation’s changing needs over time This ensures clarity under the law. This historical evolution demonstrates the responsive nature of the constitutional framework in addressing the nation’s changing needs over time.

Key Features

– Parliament can legislate on specific state matters temporarily.
– It focuses on trade, commerce, and certain goods like textiles.
– The temporary power is valid for five years from 1950.
– Laws made under this article will expire after five years.
– It allows for a unified legal framework across states.

Importance & Impact

– Enables Parliament to create uniform laws for specific commodities for administrative efficiency.
– Helps maintain consistency in trade regulations across states for administrative efficiency.
– Provides a mechanism for addressing immediate governance challenges for administrative efficiency.
– Supports economic integration in the early years of independence for administrative efficiency.
– Allows for legal clarity in matters between states and the center.

Sample UPSC Question

Which of the following statements about Article 369 of the Indian Constitution is correct? A) It permanently empowers Parliament to legislate on state matters. B) It was introduced in the 42nd Amendment. C) Its provisions are applicable only to the Supreme Court. D) It allows Parliament to legislate on certain state matters temporarily. Choose the correct answer.? Which of the statements given above are correct in the context of the federal structure of India? This ensures clarity under the law.

Answer

The correct answer is D. Article 369 allows Parliament to legislate temporarily on specific matters usually managed by states. This provision was meant to create a uniform legal framework during the early years of India. Understanding these details is helpful for analyzing how the constitution balances power and state responsibilities.

Key Takeaways

✓ Parliament’s power under Article 369 is temporary across the country.
✓ It covers specific commodities like cotton and coal.
✓ Laws made under it last for five years.
✓ Uniformity in state laws was a goal of this article.
✓ It helped integrate India’s economy post-independence across the country.

FAQs

Article 369 allows Parliament to make laws on certain state matters temporarily. This was to ensure uniformity in laws across states during India’s early years. It focuses on trade and commerce among other areas. These rules help maintain a consistent and fair approach to public administration and governance across the country.

The temporary power of Article 369 was intended to last for five years. This period started from the commencement of the Constitution in 1950. After five years, laws made under this article would cease to have effect. These rules help maintain a consistent and fair approach to public administration and governance across the country.

Laws made under Article 369 will expire after five years unless extended or amended. This ensures that Parliament’s temporary powers do not last indefinitely. It allows for legislative review and adaptation to changing needs. These rules help maintain a consistent and fair approach to public administration and governance across the country.

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Founder and Editor-in-Chief at StudyHub. Pramod has spent over 7 years tracking Indian government recruitments and analyzing exam trends. He oversees the StudyHub editorial board, managing a dedicated team of subject-matter experts across History, Polity, Geography, Geology, and General Sciences. His mission is to ensure that every job alert and study resource published on StudyHub is 100% verified, accurate, and helpful for competitive exam aspirants.
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