The Indian Constitution establishes a parliamentary form of government at both the national and state levels. This decision was made by the constitution-makers due to the merits of the Parliamentary System. Articles 74 and 75 deal with the parliamentary system at the Centre, while Articles 163 and 164 deal with state governments.

What is Parliamentary Government?

• Parliamentary government, also known as a cabinet government, a responsible government, or the Westminster model of government, is popular in the United Kingdom, Japan, Canada, and India.
• The parliamentary system of government holds the executive accountable to the legislature for its policies and actions.

Why India Adopted Parliamentary System?

Familiarity with the System

• The parliamentary system had been in use in India during British rule, so the Constitution-makers were somewhat familiar with it.
• According to K.M. Munshi, "some kind of responsibility has been introduced in the governance of this country for the last thirty or forty years."
• Our constitutional traditions have evolved into Parliamentary ones.

Preference for Greater Responsibility

• In the Constituent Assembly, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar stated that "a democratic executive must satisfy two conditions: stability and responsibility."
• Unfortunately, no system has yet been devised that can ensure both in equal measure.
• The American system provides greater stability but less responsibility. In contrast, the British system provides more responsibility but less stability.
• The Draft Constitution, in recommending a parliamentary system of Executive, prefers greater responsibility over greater stability'.

Avoiding Legislative–Executive Conflicts

• The framers of the Constitution wished to avoid conflicts between the legislature and the executive, which are unavoidable in the United States' presidential system.
• They believed that an infant democracy could not afford to risk a perpetualfeud, conflict, or threat of conflict between these two branches of government.
• They desired a form of government that would promote the country's multifaceted development.

Characteristics of Indian Society

• India is one of the world's most diverse countries and most complex plural societies.
• As a result, the makers of theConstitutionchose the parliamentary system because it allows for greater representation of various sections, interests, and regions in government.
• This instills a sense of patriotism in the people and helps to build a united India.

Merits of Parliamentary System

Coordination between the legislature and the executive

• The parliamentary system has the greatest advantage of ensuring a harmonious relationship and cooperation between the legislative and executive branches of government.
• The executive is a branch of the legislature, and the two are mutually dependent at work.
• As a result, there is less opportunity for disagreements and conflicts between the two organs.

Responsible Government

• The parliamentary system, by its very nature, establishes the responsible government.
• Ministers are accountable to Parliament for all acts of omission and commission.
• The Parliament exerts control over ministers through various mechanisms such as question hour, discussions, adjournment motions, no-confidence motions, and so on.

Prevents Despotism

• The executive authority is delegated to a group of people (council of ministers) rather than a single person under this system.
• This decentralisation of authority checks the executive's dictatorial tendencies.
• Furthermore, the executive is accountable to Parliament and can be removed through a no-confidence motion.

Alternative Government

• If the ruling party loses its majority, the Head of State has the authority to invite the opposition party to form a government.
• This means that a new government can be formed without holding new elections.

Wide Representation

• The executive in a parliamentary system is made up of a group of people (i.e., ministers who are representatives of the people).
• As a result, it is possible to provide representation in the government to all sections and regions.
• This factor can be considered by the prime minister when appointing ministers.

Conclusion

Parliamentary form of government promotes a dynamic and responsive administration where the executive is accountable to the legislature, fostering a close collaboration between law-makers and policy implementers. This structure encourages transparency, collective decision-making, and adaptability, ensuring that governance remains attuned to the will and needs of the people.

FAQs

Question. What is the Parliamentary System in India?

Question. What are the main merits of the Parliamentary System in India?

Question. How does the Parliamentary system ensure accountability?

Question. What are the differences between the Parliamentary and Presidential systems of government?

Question. How does the Parliamentary system promote coalition politics?

MCQs

1. Which of the following is a merit of the Parliamentary System?

A) Fixed tenure of the executive

B) Accountability of the executive to the legislature

C) Separation of powers between executive and legislature

D) Direct election of the executive

2. In a Parliamentary system, who is responsible for the formation of the government?

A) The President

B) The Lok Sabha

C) The majority party in the Lok Sabha

D) The Rajya Sabha

3. Which of the following is an example of collective responsibility in the Parliamentary system?

A) The President resigns after a no-confidence vote

B) Ministers resign after losing a vote of confidence

C) The Lok Sabha passes laws with a simple majority

D) The Prime Minister is directly elected by the people

4. What is the role of the Prime Minister in a Parliamentary system?

A) Head of state and government

B) Chief legislator

C) Head of government and leader of the majority party

D) Appointing judges of the Supreme Court

5. What is the key difference between the Parliamentary and Presidential systems of government?

A) The President is elected by the people in both systems

B) The executive is derived from and accountable to the legislature in the Parliamentary system

C) The Prime Minister is the head of state in both systems

D) The legislature and executive are entirely separate in the Parliamentary system

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Explain the merits of the Parliamentary system of government in India and how it contributes to the stability of democracy.

Answer: The Parliamentary system of government in India is beneficial in promoting democratic governance, accountability, and flexibility. One of its key merits is the collective responsibility of the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha. This ensures that the government remains accountable to the people’s representatives and can be held to account through regular debates, question hours, and votes of confidence. The system also allows for flexibility in governance, as the Prime Minister can be replaced without the need for general elections if the government loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha. Additionally, the Parliamentary system fosters coalition politics, promoting consensus and inclusivity in decision-making. This ensures that the views of various social and political groups are represented in the governance process, contributing to a stable democracy.

Q2: Discuss the advantages of having a Parliamentary system in a diverse and pluralistic society like India.

Answer: The Parliamentary system in India offers several advantages, especially in a diverse and pluralistic society. The system encourages coalition politics, where political parties from various regions, communities, and ideologies work together to form a government. This inclusivity ensures that a wide array of perspectives and interests is represented in decision-making. Furthermore, the flexibility of the system allows for frequent shifts in governance and leadership without the need for national elections, making it adaptable to changing political dynamics. The accountability of the executive to the Lok Sabha ensures that the government remains responsive to the people’s needs and demands. Additionally, the Parliamentary system encourages consensus-building and compromises, which is crucial in managing India’s ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity, fostering national unity while accommodating regional aspirations.

Q3: Analyze the role of the Parliamentary system in promoting transparency and accountability in governance.

Answer: The Parliamentary system promotes transparency and accountability in governance through a number of mechanisms. The executive is directly accountable to the legislature, particularly the Lok Sabha, which provides regular oversight of the government's functioning. The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers must answer questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) during question hours, making the government transparent about its policies and actions. Furthermore, MPs have the ability to introduce motions of no confidence, debates, and discussions that hold the government to account for its decisions. The presence of a multi-party system encourages checks and balances, as different parties have the opportunity to challenge the government’s actions. This system ensures that government policies are debated publicly, ensuring that the administration is not just accountable to Parliament, but also to the people it represents.

Previous Year Questions on Merits and Demerits of Parliamentary Form of Government

1. UPSC 2020

Question: Discuss the merits of the Parliamentary system in India and its effectiveness in ensuring democratic governance.

Answer: This question focused on evaluating the merits of the Parliamentary system in India, specifically how it contributes to democratic governance and accountability.

2. UPSC 2019

Question: How does the Parliamentary system ensure the separation of powers and prevent the concentration of power in India?

Answer: This question required an analysis of how the Parliamentary system in India helps in maintaining checks and balances and prevents the concentration of power in a single entity or branch of government.

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