Understanding Collective Responsibility in India's Parliamentary System

India follows a parliamentary system of government, modeled largely on the British Westminster system. A cornerstone of this system is the principle of collective responsibility. This principle means that the entire Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament.

The No-Confidence Motion Explained

A no-confidence motion is a parliamentary procedure by which the Lok Sabha can express its lack of confidence in the Council of Ministers. If such a motion is moved and passed by a majority of the members present and voting in the Lok Sabha, the government (meaning the Prime Minister and all other ministers) is required to tender its resignation to the President.

Impact of a No-Confidence Motion on a Single Minister

The question asks about the consequence of a successful no-confidence motion specifically targeted at a single Union Minister. However, due to the principle of collective responsibility:

• The government functions as a single unit. The confidence of the Lok Sabha is reposed in the entire Council of Ministers, not just individual ministers.
• If the Lok Sabha expresses no confidence in even one minister, it implies a loss of confidence in the government as a whole.
• Therefore, a successful no-confidence motion, regardless of whether it is technically aimed at a single minister or the entire cabinet, necessitates the resignation of the entire Council of Ministers.

Analyzing the Options

Let's examine the given options based on the principle of collective responsibility:

• Option 1: The Lok Sabha is immediately dissolved. Dissolution of the Lok Sabha is a different process, typically decided by the Prime Minister in consultation with the President, often occurring at the end of a term or when a government cannot be formed. It is not the direct consequence of a no-confidence motion against a minister.
• Option 2: The entire Council of Ministers must resign. This option accurately reflects the principle of collective responsibility. A loss of confidence in any part of the government is treated as a loss of confidence in the whole government, requiring its resignation.
• Option 3: Only the targeted minister must resign. This would be an application of individual responsibility, not collective responsibility. While ministers can resign individually, a successful no-confidence motion triggers a different constitutional requirement.
• Option 4: The President dismisses only the targeted minister. The President acts on the advice of the Prime Minister concerning the appointment and dismissal of ministers. A parliamentary no-confidence motion leads to the resignation of the government, rather than the President unilaterally dismissing individual ministers based solely on the motion.

Conclusion

In India's parliamentary democracy, the government's survival hinges on maintaining the confidence of the Lok Sabha. The principle of collective responsibility ensures that the entire government stands united. Consequently, if a no-confidence motion is passed, the entire Council of Ministers must resign.