Article 355: Duties assigned to the Government of India

 Under Article 355, the Union Government is assigned a twofold duty:

1. Protection: To protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance.

2. Compliance: To ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution.

This article serves as the constitutional justification for the Union's interference in State affairs, including the imposition of President’s Rule under Article 356.