Government of Union Territories Act, 1963 · Chapter V: Miscellaneous and Transitional Provisions
Section 51: Provision in case of failure of constitutional machinery
If the President, on receipt of a report from the Administrator of [the Union territory] or otherwise, is satisfied,―
(a) that a situation has arisen in which the administration of the Union territory cannot be carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Act, or
(b) that for the proper administration of the Union territory it is necessary or expedient so to do,
the President may, by order, suspend the operation of all or any of the provisions of this Act for such period as he thinks fit and make such incidental and consequential provisions as may appear to him to be necessary or expedient for administering the Union territory in accordance with the provisions of article 239.
Source: India Code (indiacode.gov.in), the consolidated text published by the Legislative Department, Government of India. Text as updated on India Code on 15 October 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.