Quick Revision Series: Indian Parliament for UPSC

One of the most important topics for UPSC and State Civil Service Aspirants is a through knowledge of the Indian Parliament

This quick revision will help you remember the major points of the lesson to help with your preparation before the Prelims. Watch the detailed explanation of the topics for Mains Preparation

Indian Parliamanent UPSC & APSC

Features of Parliamentary Govt.

• Nominal and Real Executive

–President ( Titular Head)

–Prime Minister (Real Head)

• Majority party Rule

The ruling party in a democratic parliamentary system is the political party or coalition of multiple parties who hold the majority of the elected seats in a parliament or state assembly.

• Collective Responsibility

The Principle of Collective Responsibility is the cornerstone of the Parliamentary form of government.

The two basic components of collective responsibility are.

1. The first is that ministers should be able to conduct unbridled conversations before reaching a consensus or decision, and that these debates and discussion should be kept private.

2. Secondly, once the cabinet position has been agreed by vote on the particular agenda, all ministers are bound to adhere to it and vote along with the government or give up their seats in the Parliament.

• Political Homogeneity

It means that members of the Cabinet belong to the same political Party

• Double Membership

Parliamentarians are Members of both the Executive as well as the Legislature

• Leadership of PM

The Prime Minister is the Head of the Government till the end of five years

• Dissolution of Lower House

The Lower House or the Lok Sabha shall be dissolved every Five Years

• Secrecy

All members of the Parliament are required to take an oath of Secrecy.

Merits of Parliamentary System:

1. Harmony between Legislature and Executive

2. Responsible Govt.

3. Prevents Despotism

4. Ready Alternative Government

5. Wide Representation

Demerits of Parliamentary System

1. Unstable Government

2. No Continuity of Policies

3. Dictatorship of Cabinet

4. Against Seperation of Powers

5. Government by Amateurs

Reasons for Choosing Parliamentary System in India

1. Familiarity with the System

2. More Responsibility (BR Ambedkar)

3. To avoid Legislative and Executive Conflicts

4. Nature of Indian Society

Federal System of Governance in Indian Parliament vs Unitary System

Federal Features of the Constitution

1. Dual Polity

2. Written Constitution

3. Division of Powers

4. Supremacy of Constitution

5. Rigid Constitution

6. Independant Judiciary

7. Bicameralism

Unitary Features of the Constitution

1. Strong Centre

2. States not Indestructible

3. Single Constitution

4. Flexibility of the Constitution

5. No Equality of State Representation

6. Emergency Provisions

7. Single Citizenship

8. Integrated Judiciary

9. All India Services

10. Integrated Audit Machine (CAG)

11. Parliament's Authority over State List (With Rajya Sabha Permission)

12. Appointment of Governor

13. Integrated Election Machinery

14. Veto over State Bills