What is the meaning of national emergency?

National emergency can be declared on the basis of war, external aggression or armed rebellion. The Constitution employs the expression ‘proclamation of emergency’ to denote an emergency of this type. Under Article 352, the President can declare a national emergency when the security of India or a part of it is threatened by war or external aggression or armed rebellion. The phrase ‘armed rebellion’ was inserted by the 44th Amendment Act of 1978, replacing the original phrase ‘internal disturbance’. 

Further Reading:

• Article 356 – President’s Rule
• 42nd Amendment of Indian Constitution