C-I-V-I-L-S-C-O-D-E

GS2 - parliamentary system

PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM

Introduction

India, the world's largest democracy, operates under a parliamentary system of government, a framework adopted from the British model. The parliamentary system in India is defined by a dual structure of government, comprising the President as the head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government. This system, enshrined in the Constitution of India, emphasizes the principles of collective responsibility, the fusion of powers between the executive and the legislature, and a robust mechanism of checks and balances.

In India's parliamentary system, the executive branch derives its legitimacy and authority from the legislature. The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are drawn from and accountable to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of Parliament. This structure ensures that the government is directly answerable to the elected representatives of the people, promoting transparency and accountability.

The Indian Parliament, a bicameral legislature, consists of the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Lok Sabha is composed of representatives directly elected by the people, while the Rajya Sabha consists of members elected by the state legislatures and appointed by the President. This dual structure facilitates the representation of both the population at large and the states, ensuring a balanced federal system.

The parliamentary system in India is characterized by the following key features:

1.Collective Responsibility: The Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means that the entire ministry must resign if it loses the confidence of the majority in the Lok Sabha.

2.Bicameral Legislature: The two houses of Parliament, the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, provide a system of checks and balances, ensuring thorough scrutiny of legislation and policies.

3.Fusion of Powers: Unlike the strict separation of powers in a presidential system, the Indian parliamentary system features a fusion of powers between the executive and the legislature, with the executive being an integral part of the legislature.

4.Leadership of the Prime Minister: The Prime Minister, as the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha, plays a central role in policy-making and administration, steering the government and ensuring legislative support for government policies.

Login for Full Content