A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which
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- Aall political parties in the Parliament are represented in the Government
- Bthe Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it
- Cthe Government is elected by the people and can be removed by them
- Dthe Government is chosen by the Parliament but cannot be removed by it before completion of a fixed term
Show answer
Answer: (B) the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it
In a Parliamentary System, the government (executive) is answerable to the Parliament (legislature) and can be removed by it through a no-confidence motion.
Key features of India's Parliamentary system:
- The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers must have the support of the majority in Lok Sabha.
- If they lose this majority (through a no-confidence motion), the government falls.
- There's "collective responsibility" — the entire cabinet is responsible to Parliament.
Why not the others?
- A: Not ALL parties are in government — only the ruling party/coalition.
- C: The government is NOT directly elected or removed by the people. People elect MPs, and MPs form the government.
- D: The government CAN be removed before completing its term (that's the whole point of parliamentary accountability).
Answer: B.
Key Takeaway: Parliamentary system = government responsible to Parliament + can be removed by no-confidence motion. This is the most defining feature.
In a parliamentary system, the government derives its authority from and remains accountable to the legislature, distinguishable from presidential systems where the executive is directly elected.
The no-confidence motion is the defining mechanism that allows Parliament to remove the government, making option B the core feature that separates parliamentary from other systems.
Parliamentary System Key Features
Indian Polity Parliamentary System Government Parliament
Parliamentary System: Core Features & UPSC Traps
Government is responsible to Parliament and can be removed by it
No-confidence motion can topple government before fixed term
Collective responsibility - entire cabinet answerable to Parliament
People elect MPs, MPs form government (not direct election)
Definition
A Parliamentary System is where the executive (government) is drawn from and answerable to the legislature (Parliament). The defining feature is accountability - Parliament can remove the government through a no-confidence motion.
Parliamentary vs Presidential Systems
Feature | Parliamentary System | Presidential System |
|---|---|---|
Executive Selection | Chosen by Parliament | Directly elected by people |
Executive Removal | No-confidence motion | Impeachment only |
Term Security | Can be removed anytime | Fixed term guaranteed |
Responsibility | To Parliament | To Constitution/People |
Example | India, UK | USA, Brazil |
How UPSC Tests This
This PYQ directly tested the core definition - government responsible to Parliament
Option C was the main trap - suggests direct election/removal by people (that's Presidential system)
Option D tested term security - Parliamentary governments have NO guaranteed term
Trap: Confusing 'government elected by people' with Parliamentary system - that's Presidential system
Trap: Thinking all parties are in government - only ruling party/coalition governs
Trap: Assuming fixed term security - Parliamentary governments can fall anytime via no-confidence
Collective Responsibility in India
Indian Polity collective responsibility Council of Ministers
Collective Responsibility: Article 75 & Cabinet Solidarity
Article 75(3) - Council of Ministers collectively responsible to Lok Sabha
All ministers resign if government loses confidence vote
Ministers must publicly support all government decisions
Constitutional Basis
Article 75(3) establishes that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means the entire cabinet rises and falls together - no individual minister can survive if the government loses majority support.
How Collective Responsibility Works
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Government Policy Decision**
Cabinet decides on policy`"]
s2["`**Public Defense**
**All ministers must publicly support** the decision`"]
s3["`**Parliamentary Vote**
Policy tested in Parliament through voting`"]
s4["`**Loss of Confidence**
If government **loses majority support**`"]
s5["`**Collective Resignation**
**Entire Council of Ministers resigns** together`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Trap: Individual minister responsibility vs collective responsibility - whole cabinet is accountable
Trap: Responsibility only to Lok Sabha, not Rajya Sabha for confidence
No-Confidence Motion Process
Indian Polity no-confidence motion removed
No-Confidence Motion: Rules & Process in Lok Sabha
50 members minimum required to admit no-confidence motion
Only in Lok Sabha - Rajya Sabha cannot move no-confidence
Simple majority needed to pass the motion
If passed, entire government resigns
Constitutional Framework
No-confidence motion is the primary tool for Parliament to remove the government. Based on Article 75, it can only be moved in Lok Sabha since the government is responsible to the directly elected house.
No-Confidence Motion Process
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`**Motion Submission**
**At least 50 MPs** support required`"]
s2["`**Speaker's Admission**
Lok Sabha Speaker decides to admit`"]
s3["`**Debate & Discussion**
Government defends, opposition attacks`"]
s4["`**Voting**
**Simple majority** (50% + 1) decides outcome`"]
s5["`**Result**
If passed: **Government resigns**. If defeated: **Government continues**`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5Historical Context
1999: Vajpayee government fell by one vote (269-270)
1979: Morarji Desai government resigned facing certain defeat
Most no-confidence motions fail as ruling party usually has majority
Trap: Rajya Sabha can also move no-confidence - WRONG, only Lok Sabha can
Trap: Two-thirds majority needed - WRONG, only simple majority required
Trap: Only PM resigns - WRONG, entire Council of Ministers resigns