The main advantage of the parliamentary form of governments is that
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- Athe executive and legislature work independently.
- Bit provides continuity of policy and is more efficient.
- Cthe executive remains responsible to the legislature.
- Dthe head of the government cannot be changed without election.
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Answer: (C) the executive remains responsible to the legislature.
The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that the executive remains responsible (accountable) to the legislature.
This means the Council of Ministers (headed by the Prime Minister) must maintain the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
If the legislature passes a no-confidence motion against the government, the entire ministry must resign.
This ensures continuous accountability.
Option (a) is wrong — in a parliamentary system, the executive and legislature do NOT work independently.
In fact, they are closely linked (ministers must be members of the legislature).
Independent functioning of executive and legislature is a feature of the PRESIDENTIAL system (like in the USA).
Option (b) is wrong — continuity of policy and efficiency are often cited as advantages of the PRESIDENTIAL system, where the executive has a fixed term and cannot be removed by the legislature easily.
Option (d) is wrong — in a parliamentary system, the head of government CAN be changed without a general election (through a no-confidence motion or internal party change), which is actually a feature, not a bug.
This question tests whether you can distinguish the core features of parliamentary vs. presidential systems.
(Source: Laxmikant, Chapter on Salient Features of the Constitution)
Parliamentary democracy's defining feature is executive accountability to legislature through mechanisms like no-confidence motions, ensuring the government can be removed if it loses majority support.
The question tests whether students can distinguish parliamentary systems (where executive-legislature are fused) from presidential systems (where they work independently).
Parliamentary System Features
Indian Polity parliamentary form of governments executive legislature
Parliamentary System: Key Features & UPSC Traps
Executive accountability to legislature is the defining feature of parliamentary system
Fusion of powers - executive and legislature are interconnected, not separate
No-confidence motion can remove government without general election
Council of Ministers must be members of Parliament
Core Principle
Parliamentary system is based on executive accountability to the legislature. The Council of Ministers (executive) must continuously enjoy the confidence of the Lok Sabha (legislature). This creates a system of checks and balances where the executive cannot function without legislative support.
Parliamentary vs Presidential Features
Feature | Parliamentary System | Presidential System |
|---|---|---|
Executive-Legislature Relation | Fusion - closely linked | Separation - work independently |
Executive Accountability | Responsible to legislature | Not responsible to legislature |
Government Removal | No-confidence motion possible | Fixed term - impeachment only |
Policy Continuity | Less stable - government can fall | More stable - fixed tenure |
Head of Government | Prime Minister (can change without election) | President (fixed term) |
Ministers' Membership | Must be MPs/MLAs | Cannot be legislators |
India's Parliamentary Features
Article 75(3) - Council of Ministers collectively responsible to Lok Sabha
Article 164(2) - State ministers collectively responsible to Legislative Assembly
No-confidence motion under Rule 198 of Lok Sabha Rules can remove government
Question Hour and other parliamentary procedures ensure continuous accountability
Dissolution of Lok Sabha possible if government loses confidence
Trap: Independence confusion - Parliamentary system has fusion of powers, not separation like presidential system
Trap: Efficiency claim - Continuity and efficiency are advantages of presidential system, not parliamentary
Trap: Election requirement - Head of government can be changed without election through no-confidence motion
Common reversal - UPSC swaps parliamentary and presidential system advantages in options
Presidential vs Parliamentary Systems
Indian Polity
Presidential vs Parliamentary: Complete Comparison
USA follows presidential, India/UK follow parliamentary system
Presidential = separation of powers, Parliamentary = fusion of powers
Presidential offers stability, Parliamentary offers accountability
Two Models Explained
Presidential system (USA model) emphasizes separation of powers - executive and legislature work independently with fixed terms. Parliamentary system (Westminster model) emphasizes executive accountability - government must maintain legislative confidence to survive.
Detailed System Comparison
Aspect | Presidential System | Parliamentary System |
|---|---|---|
Examples | USA, Brazil, Philippines | India, UK, Canada, Australia |
Executive Head | President - both head of state & government | PM - head of government, President/Monarch - head of state |
Executive Term | Fixed term (4-6 years) | No fixed term - depends on legislative confidence |
Legislative Membership | Cannot be legislators simultaneously | Must be members of Parliament |
Government Formation | Direct election of President | Majority party/coalition forms government |
Removal Process | Impeachment (difficult process) | No-confidence motion (simple majority) |
Policy Making | Executive makes policy independently | Collective decision by Cabinet |
Stability | High - fixed term | Lower - government can fall anytime |
Accountability | Lower - no continuous responsibility | Higher - daily accountability to legislature |
Why India Chose Parliamentary
Familiarity - Indians experienced British parliamentary system during colonial period
Diversity management - coalition governments possible, represents India's plural society
Responsible government - ensures executive remains accountable to people through Parliament
Flexibility - easier to change government without constitutional crisis
Cabinet system - collective decision making suits Indian federal structure
Classic swap - UPSC presents presidential system advantages as parliamentary system benefits
Independence trap - In parliamentary system, executive and legislature are linked, not independent
Efficiency confusion - Presidential system is considered more efficient, not parliamentary
Fixed term trap - Parliamentary system head can be changed without election, presidential cannot
Executive-Legislature Relations in India
Indian Polity executive legislature responsible
Executive-Legislature Relations: Constitutional Provisions
Article 75(3) - Council of Ministers collectively responsible to Lok Sabha
Article 164(2) - State ministers collectively responsible to Assembly
Rule 198 - No-confidence motion procedure in Lok Sabha
Question Hour ensures daily accountability of executive
Constitutional Framework
India's Constitution establishes executive responsibility through specific articles. The Council of Ministers must maintain the confidence of the Lok Sabha and can be removed through parliamentary procedures without requiring fresh elections.
Types of Executive Responsibility
Type | Meaning | Constitutional Provision | Mechanism |
|---|---|---|---|
Collective Responsibility | All ministers rise and fall together | Article 75(3), 164(2) | No-confidence motion against government |
Individual Responsibility | Each minister responsible for their department | Article 75(2) | Questions, calling attention, censure motion |
Legal Responsibility | Ministers liable for illegal acts | Article 105, 194 | Courts can prosecute after Parliament permission |
Moral Responsibility | Resign on policy failures/scandals | Convention | Voluntary resignation or PM's advice |
No-Confidence Motion Process
%%{init: {"flowchart": {"wrappingWidth": 460}}}%%
flowchart TD
s1["`****Motion Notice****
50+ MPs give notice to Lok Sabha Speaker`"]
s2["`****Speaker Acceptance****
Speaker admits motion if in order`"]
s3["`****Date Allocation****
Discussion scheduled within 10 days`"]
s4["`****Debate & Vote****
Government defends, opposition attacks`"]
s5["`****Simple Majority****
If motion passes, entire government must resign`"]
s6["`****PM Resignation****
PM advises President to dissolve Lok Sabha or form new government`"]
s1 --> s2
s2 --> s3
s3 --> s4
s4 --> s5
s5 --> s6Daily Accountability Mechanisms
Question Hour (first hour of each sitting) - ministers answer MPs' questions
Zero Hour - MPs raise urgent matters without prior notice
Calling Attention Motion - draw attention to urgent public importance matters
Adjournment Motion - discuss definite matter of urgent public importance
Censure Motion - disapproval of government policy without removal
Westminster Model Features
Indian Polity
Westminster Model: Origins & Global Adoption
Westminster model originated in UK, adopted by many former British colonies
Cabinet government with Prime Minister as head of government
Responsible government - executive accountable to legislature
Historical Development
The Westminster model evolved in Britain over centuries, establishing parliamentary sovereignty and responsible government. India adopted this model but modified it with a written constitution and judicial review, creating a Westminster system with Indian characteristics.
Westminster Model Components
# Westminster Model
## **Executive**
- Prime Minister
- Cabinet
- Council of Ministers
- Civil Service
## **Legislature**
- Lower House (elected)
- Upper House (nominated/elected)
- Parliamentary Committees
## **Key Principles**
- Responsible Government
- Collective Responsibility
- Parliamentary Sovereignty
- Fusion of Powers
## **Countries Using**
- India
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- South AfricaIndian Modifications to Westminster
Aspect | Original Westminster (UK) | Indian Adaptation |
|---|---|---|
Constitution | Unwritten/conventional | Written Constitution with fundamental rights |
Head of State | Monarch (hereditary) | President (elected) |
Judicial Review | No judicial review of Parliament | Supreme Court can review laws |
Federalism | Unitary system | Federal structure with states |
Parliamentary Sovereignty | Absolute - Parliament supreme | Limited - Constitution supreme |
Upper House | House of Lords (hereditary/appointed) | Rajya Sabha (elected by state assemblies) |