Step 1: Constitutional provision.
Article 352 of the Constitution empowers the President to proclaim a national emergency.
Step 2: Preconditions.
The President may issue the proclamation if he is satisfied that the security of India or part of it is threatened by:
- War,
- External aggression, or
- Armed rebellion.
Step 3: Council of Ministers' role.
The President acts on the written advice of the Union Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.
Step 4: Conclusion.
Therefore, the formal proclamation can only be issued by the President.