The parliamentary system was created in England, and India adopted it with minor modifications. The main features of the Parliamentary system are the executive being part of the legislature, the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Legislature and having a nominal head of the state and real head of the executive that is the Prime Minister heading the Council of Ministers.

This is an important topic for the UPSC IAS Exam. In this article, we will see what a parliamentary system of government is and its features.

What is a Parliamentary system of government?

• The parliamentary system of government holds the executive accountable to the legislature for its policies and actions.
• The President and the Council of Ministers, with the Prime Minister at the helm, make up the executive. The President serves as the government’s nominal executive, but the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers serve as the real executive.

Features of parliamentary system of government

Nominal and Real Heads of the State:

• The nominal executive and the ceremonial head of state.
• The Prime Minister of India, who is also the real executive, is the head of government whereas the President is the nominal head.
• According to Article 74, the President's functions would be aided and advised by a council of ministers led by the Prime Minister.

The Executive is a part of the Legislative Branch:

• The Executive is a branch of government that reports to the legislature. To be a member of the executive in India, one must be a member of parliament.
• However, if a person is not a member of parliament, the constitution allows him to be appointed as a minister for a maximum of six months before ceasing to be one.

Majority Party Rule:

• The government is formed by the party that obtains the majority of seats in the Lower House elections.
• The President of India invites the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha to form a government.
• In the event that no single party has a majority, the President may invite a coalition of parties to form a government.

Collective Responsibility:

• The council of ministers is collectively responsible to the parliament.
• The lower chamber of parliament has the power to oust a government by passing a no-confidence resolution in the house.
• In India, a government only lasts as long as it has the backing of the majority of Lok Sabha members.

The Prime Minister as the Center of Power:

• The Prime Minister of India is the true executive.
• He is the leader of the council of ministers, and the head of the ruling government.

A Parliamentary Opposition:

• In the parliament, no government can command a 100 percent majority.
• The opposition is critical in ensuring that the political executive does not abuse its power arbitrarily.

Independent Civil Service:

Civil servants advise and carry out the government's decisions.

Bicameral Legislature:

• The majority of countries that use the parliamentary system, including India, have bicameral legislatures.
• All of these countries' Lower House members are chosen by the people.
• The Lower House can be dissolved if the government's term is over if there is no way to establish a government due to a lack of majority in the house.

Office of Secrecy:

• In this system, members of the executive must adhere to the principle of confidentiality in subjects such as proceedings, executive meetings, and policymaking.
• Before joining their offices in India, ministers swear an oath of secrecy.

Conclusion

The parliamentary system, often known as the Cabinet or Prime Ministerial system of governance, has historically spearheaded the fight for people rights against rulers. We observed that, while parliamentary governance originated in the United Kingdom, it has been adopted by many countries, both developing and developed, with appropriate changes.

FAQs 

MCQs

1. What is the main feature of the parliamentary system of government?

A. Separation of powers between executive and legislature
B. Fusion of executive and legislature
C. Absolute power of the Prime Minister
D. Fixed term for both houses of Parliament

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

2. Who is the formal head of state in the Indian parliamentary system?

A. Speaker of the Lok Sabha
B. Prime Minister
C. President of India
D. Chief Justice of India

Answer: (C) See the Explanation

3. In which house of Parliament does the Council of Ministers remain collectively responsible?

A. Lok Sabha
B. Rajya Sabha
C. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
D. The Supreme Court

Answer: (A) See the Explanation

4. Which of the following best describes the relationship between the executive and legislature in a parliamentary system?

A. Complete separation of powers
B. Executive is independent of the legislature
C. Executive is drawn from and responsible to the legislature
D. Executive is accountable to the judiciary

Answer: (C) See the Explanation

5. What happens when the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no confidence against the government?

A. Only the Prime Minister resigns
B. The entire Council of Ministers must resign
C. The President takes over the government
D. New ministers are appointed from the Rajya Sabha

Answer: (B) See the Explanation

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the principle of collective responsibility in the parliamentary system of government. How does it ensure accountability of the executive to the legislature?

Answer: In the parliamentary system, the principle of collective responsibility ensures that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means that if the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no confidence, the entire council, including the Prime Minister, must resign. This principle enforces accountability, as it obligates the executive to secure the confidence of the majority in the lower house. The requirement of periodic elections and the ability to dissolve the Lok Sabha further enhance the executive’s accountability to the legislature, ensuring that the government remains answerable to elected representatives of the people.

Q2: Analyze the role of the Prime Minister in the parliamentary system of government. How does the Prime Minister act as the head of the government?

Answer: In the parliamentary system, the Prime Minister is the head of the government and plays a central role in governance. The Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers, sets government policy, and oversees the execution of decisions. As the leader of the majority party or coalition in the Lok Sabha, the Prime Minister holds considerable power, including the ability to recommend the dissolution of the Lok Sabha and the appointment of ministers. The Prime Minister’s position is both powerful and accountable, as the government must retain the confidence of the Lok Sabha to continue in office.

Q3: Evaluate the importance of the bicameral structure of the Indian Parliament. How does it contribute to the functioning of the parliamentary system in India?

Answer: The bicameral structure of the Indian Parliament, comprising the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, plays a vital role in the functioning of the parliamentary system. The Lok Sabha represents the people directly and is responsible for the formation and removal of the government, ensuring accountability of the executive. The Rajya Sabha, representing the states, acts as a revising chamber, reviewing and amending bills passed by the Lok Sabha. This system ensures a balance between the interests of the states and the Union, providing stability, preventing hasty legislation, and ensuring that laws are scrutinized thoroughly before they are enacted.

Previous Year Questions from Parliamentary System

1. UPSC CSE Prelims 2019

Question: Which of the following statements best describes the principle of collective responsibility in the Indian parliamentary system?
A. All ministers are individually responsible to the President
B. Ministers are collectively responsible to the judiciary
C. The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha
D. Ministers are collectively responsible to the Rajya Sabha

Answer: C

Explanation: In the Indian parliamentary system, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, meaning if a vote of no confidence is passed, the entire council must resign.

2. UPSC CSE Mains 2020 (GS Paper 2)

Question: Explain the relationship between the executive and the legislature in a parliamentary system. How does this relationship ensure the accountability of the government?

Explanation: In a parliamentary system, the executive is drawn from the legislature and is directly accountable to it. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are typically members of the legislature and must retain the confidence of the Lok Sabha to remain in office. This close relationship ensures that the executive remains answerable to the elected representatives, and policies are subject to legislative scrutiny. Mechanisms such as question hour, votes of confidence, and parliamentary committees further enhance this accountability, making the government responsive to the needs and concerns of the people.