Q. There is a Parliamentary System of Government in India because the

  • Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people
  • Parliament can amend the Constitution
  • Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved
  • Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha

Answer: (d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha

Notes:
  • A parliamentary system is a type of government in which the executive holds power with the support of the legislature. India is governed by a parliamentary system modeled after the British Westminster system.
  • The term “Parliamentary government” refers to the Parliament’s total authority. The Parliamentary system is also referred to as the cabinet system, responsible government, or the Prime Minister Model. 
Features of the Indian Parliamentary System  
  • Nominal And Real Executives  
    • The nominal executive officer is the president, while the actual executive officer is the prime minister (de facto executive officer).  
    • As a result, the president serves as the head of state, while the prime minister serves as the head of government.  
    • Article 74 establishes a Council of Ministers led by the Prime Minister to assist and advise the President in carrying out his duties. The President is bound by the proposal made in this manner.  
  • The close connection between legislative and executive power  
    • The prime minister and the Council of Ministers serve as the executive body, while the parliament serves as the legislative body.  
    • The prime minister and ministers are elected from among members of parliament, implying that the legislature wields executive power.  
  • Collective Responsibility  
    • This is the fundamental tenet of parliamentary government.  
    • Ministers are collectively accountable to the entire parliament, particularly the People’s Chamber (Article 75). They sink and swim together as a group.  
  • Political Homogeneity  
    • Members of the Council of Ministers generally belong to the same political party and thus share the same political ideology.  
    • The ministers in a coalition government are bound by consensus.  
  • Dual Membership  
    • Ministers are members of both the legislative and executive branches of government.  
    • This means that if a person is not a member of Parliament, he cannot be a minister.  
    • The constitution states that ministers will lose their positions if they do not serve as members of Parliament for six months in a row. 
  • The Prime Minister’s Leadership  
    • The Prime Minister is the most powerful person in this government system. He is the leader of the Council of Ministers, the parliament, and the ruling party.  
    • Among these capabilities, it plays a critical role in the government’s operation.  
  • Dissolution Of The Lok Sabha  
    • On the Prime Minister’s recommendation, the President may dissolve the House of Commons (Lok Sabha).  
    • In other words, the Prime Minister can recommend to the President that the People’s Chamber be dissolved and a new election be held before the end of his term.  
    • This means that the executive branch has the authority to dissolve the legislature and convert the country to a parliamentary system.  
  • Secrecy  
    • Ministers are bound by the principle of procedure confidentiality and are not permitted to reveal information about their procedures, policies, or decisions.  
    • Before entering your office, they swore an oath of secrecy. The president administers the ministers’ oath of secrecy.