UPSC Prelims 2017 Q46: Indian Polity – Parliament & State Legislatures
The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that
- (a) the executive and legislature work independently.
- (b) it provides continuity of policy and is more efficient.
- (c) the executive remains responsible to the legislature.
- (d) the head of the government cannot be changed without election.
Answer: (c) the executive remains responsible to the legislature.
Explanation
Main advantage of the parliamentary form of government
In a parliamentary system the executive is part of the legislature and stays responsible to it.
Article 75(3): the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
| Option | True of which system? | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| (a) Executive and legislature work independently | Presidential (separation of powers) | Wrong |
| (b) Provides continuity of policy and is more efficient | Presidential (fixed tenure) | Wrong |
| (c) Executive remains responsible to the legislature | Parliamentary | Right |
| (d) Head of the government cannot be changed without election | Presidential | Wrong |
The trade-off:
| System | Gives more | Gives less |
|---|---|---|
| Parliamentary | Responsibility | Stability |
| Presidential | Stability | Responsibility |
Answer: (c) the executive remains responsible to the legislature.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Working independently is a feature of the presidential system, not the parliamentary one.
- (b) Incorrect. Continuity of policy comes from a fixed tenure, the merit of the presidential system.
- (c) CORRECT. The executive stays responsible to the legislature, which can remove it.
- (d) Incorrect. In India the head of the government can be changed by a no-confidence motion.
Key point
Parliamentary system = responsible government (Article 75(3): collective responsibility to the Lok Sabha); presidential system = stable government.
Remember
Parliamentary government = executive answerable to legislature.
Common mistakes
- Picking continuity and efficiency, which are merits of the presidential system.
- Forgetting that ministers are responsible to the Lok Sabha, not to both Houses.
- Assuming the Prime Minister can be removed only through a general election.
Exam tip
Parliamentary = responsibility; presidential = stability. The makers of the Constitution chose responsibility.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Article 75(3)
- NCERT Class XI — Indian Constitution at Work, Ch 4 (Executive)