UPSC CSE Prelims
Parliamentary System Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 2 — the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it

A parliamentary system is characterized by the principle of executive accountability to the legislature. The government (executive) remains in power only as long as it enjoys the confidence of the Parliament, and can be removed through mechanisms like a no-confidence motion. This collective responsibility to Parliament is the defining feature that distinguishes parliamentary systems from presidential systems.

❌ Option 1 – Incorrect: Representation of all political parties in government is not a requirement of parliamentary systems; governments are typically formed by the party or coalition with majority support.

❌ Option 3 – Incorrect: In a parliamentary system, the government is indirectly elected through representatives in Parliament, not directly by the people; direct election and removal by citizens is a feature of presidential or direct democracy systems.

❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: The ability to remove the government before a fixed term is fundamental to parliamentary democracy; a fixed term without removal provision characterizes presidential systems.

📝 Short Notes: Parliamentary vs Presidential Systems

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people.

The Cabinet form of Government is a defining feature of parliamentary democracy where the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the legislature (Parliament). This principle is enshrined in Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution, which mandates that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.

Why Option 3 is Correct:
Collective responsibility means that Cabinet decisions bind all ministers, who must publicly support them even if they personally disagree. If Parliament passes a vote of no confidence, the entire Council of Ministers must resign, ensuring democratic accountability and preventing arbitrary executive rule.

Why Other Options are Incorrect:
❌ Option 1 – Incorrect: The Cabinet system is not designed to minimize criticism but to ensure accountability through collective responsibility to Parliament.
❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: While efficiency may be a benefit, the underlying principle is collective responsibility and accountability, not merely speeding up government activities.
❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: The Cabinet system is not a device to strengthen the head of government's hold over people, but to ensure collective decision-making and accountability to the legislature.

Detailed Explanation:

Answer: Option 3 — The executive remains responsible to the legislature.

The fundamental feature of the parliamentary form of government is the principle of collective responsibility, where the executive (Council of Ministers) is directly accountable to the legislature. According to Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha and can remain in power only as long as it enjoys the confidence of the House. This ensures democratic accountability and control over the executive by elected representatives.

Why other options are incorrect:
❌ Option 1 – Incorrect: In a parliamentary system, the executive and legislature are interdependent, not independent. Separation of powers is a feature of the Presidential system.
❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: The Presidential system, not the parliamentary system, is known for continuity of policy due to fixed tenure. Parliamentary governments can change frequently through votes of no confidence.
❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: In a parliamentary system, the head of government (Prime Minister) can be changed through a vote of no confidence or party leadership change without a general election, unlike in a Presidential system.

Detailed Explanation:

Parliamentary System is characterized by the fusion of executive and legislature, where the executive (Council of Ministers) is drawn from and remains collectively responsible to the legislature.

Article 75(3) mandates that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha — meaning the government must maintain the confidence of the lower house to remain in power. This accountability to the legislature is the defining feature that distinguishes a Parliamentary system from a Presidential system (where the executive is independent of legislative confidence).

Direct election of Lok Sabha, power to amend Constitution, and permanent nature of Rajya Sabha are features found in various democratic systems and do not define the Parliamentary character of government.