The Crisis of Democratic Order Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6 CBSE Notes 2025-26

The period between 1973 and 1977 marked a critical turning point in Indian political history, testing the resilience and depth of its democracy. During these years, Indira Gandhi's leadership and the Congress Party faced severe economic, judicial, and political challenges that eventually culminated in the declaration of a National Emergency in June 1975. 

This chapter explores the causes, events, and repercussions of this Emergency – a phase when democratic processes were severely impacted, and the Constitution itself came under unprecedented strain.

By the early 1970s, the Congress had regained power nationally under Indira Gandhi but had changed its character, becoming more centralized around her leadership. Economic crises, such as the aftermath of the Bangladesh war, the oil price hike, rising inflation (23% in 1973 and 30% in 1974), rural unemployment, failed monsoons, and food shortages created widespread hardship among the masses. This led to growing discontent and increased political opposition.

Dissatisfaction was also aggravated by confrontations with the judiciary. The Supreme Court struck down several government initiatives that were seen as violating the Constitution. Tension between the judiciary and executive peaked, especially following the landmark Kesavananda Bharati case, which established the basic structure doctrine, restricting Parliament’s power to amend certain parts of the Constitution.

Mass mobilizations became a striking feature of this era, with non-Congress opposition parties organizing student protests and strikes. Two significant movements were the Gujarat agitation (1974) against price hikes and corruption, leading to the defeat of Congress in the state, and the Bihar movement led by Jayaprakash Narayan ("JP"), which called for a “Total Revolution.” These protests widened their reach beyond students and included all sections of society, directly challenging the Congress’s dominance.

• The railway strike of 1974, led by George Fernandes, became one of the largest industrial actions in Indian history and paralyzed the country for 20 days before failing under government pressure.
• Naxalite and other Marxist groups grew more active through armed struggle, especially in West Bengal.

The government’s tension with the judiciary escalated after the Supreme Court’s 1973 verdict. Indira Gandhi’s government bypassed the traditional seniority system and appointed Justice A. N. Ray as Chief Justice, raising doubts about executive overreach. The final blow came when the Allahabad High Court found Indira Gandhi guilty of electoral malpractice, declaring her 1971 Lok Sabha election invalid – a judgment that sparked massive calls for her resignation.

In response, opposition parties united under JP’s leadership, organizing one of the biggest demonstrations in Delhi’s Ramlila Grounds and urging government officials to defy "illegal" orders. Political unrest, mass protests, and strikes became widespread, threatening to paralyze the government’s functioning.

On June 25, 1975, President’s Rule was declared under Article 352 due to "threats of internal disturbance." This concentrated authority at the central level, suspending the federal division of power and key fundamental rights. Strikes were banned, opposition leaders were jailed, the press was censored, and organizations like the RSS and Jamait-e-Islami were banned. Preventive detention laws were widely misused, with many dissenters detained without trial.

• Habeas corpus petitions were disallowed.
• Parliament enacted the 42nd Amendment, extending legislative terms to six years and making electoral challenges to the offices of PM, President, and Vice-President impossible.
• While most voices remained silent out of fear, a few journalists, writers, and political activists resisted through protests, underground newsletters, or surrendering awards in protest.

Despite the heavy curtailment of rights and constitutional processes, the Emergency also highlighted the enduring strength of Indian democracy. Normal democratic processes were restored soon after its withdrawal in 1977. The experience led to important constitutional safeguards: Internal Emergency can now only be declared for armed rebellion and must be approved in writing by the Union Cabinet. The judiciary became more vigilant in defending civil liberties post-Emergency, and numerous civil rights organizations emerged.

The Emergency revealed deep conflicts between democratic governance and continuous political protests and demonstrated the vulnerability of bureaucracy and police to political influences. The Shah Commission, appointed to investigate abuses during the Emergency, reported that administrative and police institutions became political tools, a legacy that continued to trouble governance even after the Emergency.

The withdrawal of Emergency was soon followed by the 1977 Lok Sabha elections. For the first time since independence, the Congress was soundly defeated. The newly-formed Janata Party, a coalition of several opposition groups, campaigned on the promise of restoring democracy and won a landslide, especially in northern India. This election is often seen as a referendum on the Emergency and a testament to the Indian voter’s rejection of authoritarianism.

• Congress retained strength in southern and some western states, as the impact of Emergency excesses varied regionally.
• Prominent Janata leaders included Morarji Desai (eventually PM), Charan Singh, and Jagjivan Ram.

However, unity within the Janata Party quickly eroded due to ideological and leadership rivalries. In less than 28 months, the party split, leading to the brief Charan Singh government and then fresh elections in 1980, in which the Congress (led again by Indira Gandhi) returned to power with a huge majority.

The Emergency period transformed the Indian political landscape. The Congress transitioned from an umbrella party to one rooted in a particular ideology and a charismatic leader. Non-Congressism – uniting disparate parties against the Congress – became a notable feature of post-Emergency politics. The events also gave greater prominence to the issues of backward classes, with the Mandal Commission being set up soon after to address reservations for OBCs.

The Emergency and its aftermath constituted a period of constitutional crisis (regarding the powers and limits of Parliament, judiciary, and executive) and a political crisis (when a majority government suspended democratic norms). The endurance and subsequent revival of democracy demonstrated that Indian political institutions and public sentiments favored a return to democratic processes and accountability, even after periods of grave challenge.

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6 Notes – The Crisis of Democratic Order: Key Points for Quick Revision

These Class 12 Political Science Chapter 6 revision notes on "The Crisis of Democratic Order" neatly summarize the events and lessons of the 1975 Emergency. With clear explanations of economic, political, and judicial challenges, they help students master every crucial topic for their board exams.

Use these notes for a quick recap of cause-and-effect relationships, major personalities, and the impact on party politics in India. Our concise points offer easy revision, focusing on the consequences of Emergency and shifts in the Indian party system.