Topic 03 of 6 · Chapter 03 · Indian Polity
Parliamentary Form of Government
Westminster model, President vs PM, collective responsibility, and comparison with Presidential system.
📋 In This Article
1. What is Parliamentary Government?
In a Parliamentary system, the executive (Council of Ministers) is responsible to the legislature (Parliament). The Prime Minister is the real head of government, while the President is the nominal/constitutional head.
💡 Source: India borrowed the Parliamentary system from Britain (UK). It is also called the Westminster model of government (named after the Palace of Westminster where the British Parliament meets).
2. Features of Parliamentary Government in India
- Nominal and Real Executive: President is the nominal head; Prime Minister is the real executive
- Majority Party Rule: The party with majority in Lok Sabha forms the government
- Collective Responsibility: Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to Lok Sabha (Article 75)
- Political Homogeneity: All ministers belong to the same party (usually)
- Double Membership: Ministers are members of both executive and legislature
- Leadership of PM: PM is the leader of the Cabinet and the government
- Dissolution of Lok Sabha: President can dissolve Lok Sabha on advice of PM
- Secrecy: Ministers take oath of secrecy
⭐ Collective Responsibility: If a no-confidence motion is passed against the government in Lok Sabha, the entire Council of Ministers must resign — not just the minister against whom the motion was directed. This is the principle of collective responsibility.
3. Parliamentary vs Presidential System
| Feature | Parliamentary (India) | Presidential (USA) |
|---|---|---|
| Head of Government | Prime Minister | President |
| Head of State | President (nominal) | President (real) |
| Executive Responsibility | Responsible to Legislature | Not responsible to Legislature |
| Separation of Powers | Fusion of powers | Strict separation |
| Tenure of Executive | Depends on majority in Parliament | Fixed term (4 years) |
| Dissolution | Lok Sabha can be dissolved | Congress cannot be dissolved |
| Source | UK (Westminster model) | USA |
✅ Why India chose Parliamentary system: The framers chose the Parliamentary system because Indians were familiar with it (British rule), it ensures executive accountability to the legislature, and it is more suitable for a diverse country like India.
5. Key Points for Exam
🔑 Must-Remember Facts
- Parliamentary system borrowed from UK (Westminster model)
- President is nominal head; PM is real executive
- Council of Ministers collectively responsible to Lok Sabha (Article 75)
- No-confidence motion passed → entire Cabinet must resign
- Double membership — ministers are members of both executive and legislature
- Presidential system — USA; Parliamentary system — UK, India, Canada, Australia
- India has fusion of powers (not strict separation like USA)
- PM is appointed by President but must have majority in Lok Sabha
- Individual responsibility — minister responsible for his/her ministry
- Collective responsibility — all ministers responsible for all decisions