Article 363-A : Abolition of Privy Purse

Article 363-A was inserted in the Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1971. This amendment is best known for abolition of Privy Purse.

It said that concept  of rulership, with privy purses and  special  privileges unrelated   to  any  current  functions   and   social   purposes,   is incompatible  with  an  egalitarian social  order.    Government have, therefore, decided to terminate the privy purses and privileges of the Rulers of  former Indian States.  It is necessary for  this   purpose, apart  from  amending the relevant provisions of the Constitution,  to insert  a  new  article  therein  so as  to  terminate   expressly  the recognition already granted to such Rulers and to abolish privy purses and  extinguish all rights, liabilities and obligations in respect  of privy purses.

In accordance with the Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1971, The article 361B says that a prince, Chief or other person who, at any time before the commencement of the Constitution (Twenty-sixth Amendment) Act, 1971, was recognized by the President as the Ruler of an Indian State or any person who, at any time before such commencement, was recognized by the President as the successor of such ruler shall, on and from such commencement, cease to be recognized as such Ruler or the successor of such Ruler. This article also mentions abolition of Privy Purse.