President's Rule Revoked in Manipur; Y. Khemchand Singh Sworn In as Chief Minister
President Droupadi Murmu revoked President's Rule in Manipur on February 4, 2026, with immediate effect under Article 356(2) of the Constitution.
The revocation followed the successful formation of a new government by the BJP under Y. Khemchand Singh (also referred to as Yumnam Khemchand Singh), who was sworn in as Chief Minister.
President's Rule had been imposed in Manipur on February 13, 2025 — following the resignation of Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, who faced sustained criticism for the handling of the ethnic conflict between Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities that erupted in May 2023.
This was the 11th instance of President's Rule in Manipur — the highest count for any Indian state.
The revocation proclamation was issued on February 4, 2026, approximately one year after imposition.
Article 356: President's Rule (Constitutional Emergency in States)
Article 356 of the Constitution empowers the President to assume the functions of a state government if the Governor reports (or the President is otherwise satisfied) that the constitutional machinery in the state has failed. It is popularly called "President's Rule" or "State Emergency."
The revocation on February 4, 2026, invoked Article 356(2) — the President can revoke President's Rule unilaterally without Parliament, making this constitutionally straightforward once a majority government is formed.
S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994): Judicial Safeguards Against Misuse of Article 356
S.R. Bommai v. Union of India [(1994) 3 SCC 1] is the most consequential Supreme Court judgment on Article 356. A nine-judge constitutional bench held that the imposition of President's Rule is subject to judicial review and that a floor test in the Legislative Assembly is the only constitutionally valid method to determine majority.
The Manipur floor test (conducted on February 6, 2026, after the new government was formed) directly follows the Bommai precedent — the floor of the House, not the Governor's subjective assessment, is the constitutional test of majority.
Tenth Schedule: Anti-Defection Law and Legislative Stability
The formation of the Manipur government involved coalition dynamics and the role of Kuki-Zo MLAs — making the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law) relevant as a static concept.
The floor test passed with the absence of Kuki-Zo MLAs from the House physically — raising constitutional questions about the nature of "participation" in parliamentary proceedings and the limits of community boycotts on elected legislators' constitutional duties.
- President's Rule in Manipur imposed: February 13, 2025; revoked: February 4, 2026
- Constitutional basis: Article 356 (imposition), Article 356(2) (revocation)
- New Chief Minister: Y. Khemchand Singh (BJP); sworn in February 4, 2026
- Manipur has had President's Rule 11 times — highest for any Indian state
- Ethnic conflict background: Meitei-Kuki-Zo violence began May 2023; over 200 deaths reported
- S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) — 9-judge bench — landmark judgment on Article 356
- 52nd Amendment Act, 1985 — inserted Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law)
- Maximum duration of President's Rule: 3 years (requires Parliament approval every 6 months after initial 2 months; after 1 year, special conditions under Articles 356(4) and 356(5) apply)
- Article 356(3): Both Houses must approve proclamation within 2 months by simple majority
- Article 357: Laws made during President's Rule continue until repealed even after revocation
- Kuki-Zo community demand: separate Union Territory with legislature (UT-L status)
- Floor test conducted: February 6, 2026 — government passed; Kuki-Zo MLAs not physically present