A System of Government distributes power among the many components and levels of the state. The system of government a state has is determined by the degree of authority possessed by the central government. There are three basic types of government systems in existence today: unitary, federal, and confederate. India is following the Parliamentary form of Federal System of government.

It is important to note that the System of Government gives a detailed idea regarding the type and form of government the Indian constitution has adopted. We will learn about the system of government India is following across various articles which are linked below.

What System of Government does India follow ?

• The Indian constitution provides for the Parliamentary form of government due to its simplicity and familiarity during the British rule.
• A Federal System is chosen compared to the Unitary system of government with few exceptions.
• A detailed Centre-State relations and inter-state relations has provided the distribution of power such as administrative, legislative and financial powers of both the centre and the state.
• One exception to the federal system of government is the Emergency provisions where the administration becomes Unitary giving more power to the centre.

Parliamentary System

• Parliamentary system is a form of government where executives hold the power with the majority support of the legislature (usually the people's elected house).
• Our Supreme Court says that; our constitution is modeled on the British Parliamentary system where the executive is deemed to have the primary responsibility for the formation of government policy and its transmission into law by retaining the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
• Article 74 and 75 provide the parliamentary system for the centre.
• Article 163 and 164 provide the parliamentary system for the states.
• Unlike the Presidential system, in this system, the executives sit in the legislature because they are part of the legislature.

Federal System

• India has a federal government, yet it leans more toward a unitary government. Because it has elements of both a federal and a unitary system, it is frequently referred to as a quasi-federal system.
• 'India, that is Bharat, shall be a union of states,' states Article 1 of the Indian Constitution. The term "federation" is absent from the constitution.
• The Government of India Act of 1919, which divided powers between the central and provincial legislatures, introduced elements of federalism into modern India.

Centre-State Relations

Relations between the centre and the states can be broken down into three categories:

• Legislative relations
• Administrative relations
• Financial relations

Inter-State Relations

The Inter-state Relations can be divided into the following categories:

• Inter-State Water Disputes
• Inter-State Council
• Inter-State Trade and Commerce
• Zonal Councils

Emergency Provisions

• The Emergency Provisions are detailed in Part XVIII (Article 352-360) of the Indian Constitution. Its goal is to safeguard the state's sovereignty, unity, and integrity, as well as its security.
• During a national emergency, the federal government assumes absolute authority, and the states are entirely under its control. It converts the federal government into a unitary government without the need for a formal constitutional amendment.
• The Constitution stipulates three types of emergency:
  • National Emergency under Article 352
  • President’s Rule under Article 356
  • Financial Emergency under Article 360

Conclusion

India has chosen the current form of Parliamentary form with the Federal System of government as it was suiting the best for the country compared to other types. Moreover its the familiarity with this from the Britiash era which was a driving force to pick these system by the constitution makers for ensuring a smooth administration of the country.

FAQs

Question. What system of government does India follow?

Question. What is the role of the Parliament in India’s system of government?

Question. What are the features of India’s Federal System?

Question. What are the Centre-State Relations in India?

Question. What is the significance of Emergency Provisions in India?

MCQs

1. What is a key feature of the Parliamentary System of Government?

A) The Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it

B) The Government is elected by the people and can be removed by them

C) The Government is chosen by the Parliament but cannot be removed before the fixed term

D) All political parties in the Parliament are represented in the Government

2. What defines a constitutional government?

A) Government by legislature

B) Popular government

C) Multi-party government

D) Limited government

3. Which of the following is part of the federal structure in India?

A) President’s Rule

B) Division of powers between Centre and States

C) Emergency Provisions

D) Single-party rule

4. What is the relationship between the executive and legislature in the Indian system of government?

A) The executive is independent of the legislature

B) The executive is directly elected by the people

C) The executive is responsible to the legislature

D) The executive has no powers of legislation

5. What happens during a National Emergency in India?

A) The Constitution is suspended

B) The Parliament is dissolved

C) The Centre assumes more powers, and the federal structure becomes unitary

D) The President is replaced

GS Mains Questions and Model Answers

Q1: Discuss the features of India’s Parliamentary System and its significance.

Answer: India’s Parliamentary System is based on the British model, where the executive derives its legitimacy from the legislature. The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers are accountable to the Lok Sabha. This system ensures that the government remains answerable to the people’s elected representatives, thereby enhancing democratic accountability. The system fosters a flexible governance structure, allowing easy formation and dissolution of governments.

Q2: Explain the concept of federalism in India and its challenges.

Answer: India is described as having a quasi-federal structure, where power is divided between the Centre and the States. While the Constitution provides for a division of powers, the Centre holds more authority in critical areas, such as finance and defence. The challenges include the increasing centralization of power, the imposition of President’s Rule in States, and tensions between the Centre and States over policy issues like resources and governance.

Q3: Evaluate the role of Emergency Provisions in shaping India’s system of governance.

Answer: The Emergency Provisions allow the Centre to assume overriding powers during a national crisis, making the governance system unitary. While these provisions help maintain national unity during emergencies, they also raise concerns about the concentration of power and the potential for misuse. The balance between federalism and the unitary nature of the system during emergencies is a critical aspect of India’s governance framework.

Previous Year Questions on System of Government

1. UPSC CSE 2018

Question: "Examine the relationship between the executive and the legislature in the Indian Parliamentary system."

Answer: The Indian Parliamentary system follows a system where the executive is drawn from the legislature. This makes the executive accountable to the legislature, ensuring greater transparency and responsiveness. The system emphasizes the principle of collective responsibility, where the entire Council of Ministers is responsible for the policies and actions of the government.

2. UPSC CSE 2019

Question: "Discuss the federal structure of India with reference to the role of the Union and States."

Answer: India’s federal system is designed with a strong Centre, but the Constitution allows States to have their own governments and legislatures. The relationship between the Centre and States is defined through legislative, administrative, and financial powers, though the Centre’s influence is more pronounced in certain matters like national security, foreign policy, and finance.