Part XII - Finance & Property • Article

Article 291 Simplified: Privy purse sums of Rulers

Article 291 originally guaranteed tax-free annual payments (called Privy Purses) to the former rulers of princely states who had agreed to merge their kingdoms into India. It was omitted (repealed) in 1971 by the 26th Amendment, which abolished all privy purses, titles, and privileges of former rulers.

Official Text

Omitted by the Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment)Act, 1971, s. 2 (w.e.f. 28-12-1971).

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

Long ago, when Indian kings agreed to join their lands with India, the government promised them a yearly pension (royal money). In 1971, India decided to treat everyone equally and deleted this rule, stopping the payments.

Student Mode

Article 291 originally guaranteed the payment of tax-free 'Privy Purses' charged on the Consolidated Fund of India to former rulers of princely states in accordance with merger covenants. Deeming royal privileges incompatible with a democratic republic, Parliament omitted Article 291 and Article 362 via the 26th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1971, abolishing all privy purses and royal titles.

Example

Prior to 1971, the former Maharaja of Mysore received an annual payment from the Government of India. In 1971, the 26th Amendment deleted Article 291, ending these hereditary royal payments to establish democratic equality.

Key Takeaway

This article is omitted; it formerly governed Privy Purses for princely rulers until royal privileges were abolished in 1971.

FAQs

What were Privy Purses?

Privy Purses were annual payments made by the Government of India to former royal rulers as compensation for integrating their territories into the Union.

Which amendment abolished Privy Purses and deleted Article 291?

The 26th Amendment Act in 1971.

Quiz

Which Constitutional Amendment omitted Article 291 to abolish Privy Purses?

Answer: 26th Amendment

Before its omission, privy purses under Article 291 were paid to whom?

Answer: Former Rulers of Princely States