Meaning and Constitutional Basis
A Parliamentary Form of Government is a system where the executive is responsible to the legislature and derives its legitimacy from the confidence of the elected representatives. India adopted this system as a part of its Constitutional framework, guided by Articles 74 and 75 for the Union, and Articles 163 and 164 for the States. In this system, the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister or Chief Minister, remains collectively responsible to the Lower House of Parliament (Lok Sabha) or Legislative Assembly. This form of government emphasizes accountability, collective decision-making, and democratic governance, ensuring that the executive cannot function independently of the legislature.
Features and Legal Provisions
Key features of the Parliamentary system in India include: collective responsibility (Article 75(3)), separation of head of state and head of government (Articles 52 & 53), tenure dependent on legislative confidence, and bicameral or unicameral legislatures (Article 79 & 168). The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers must resign if they lose the majority in the Lok Sabha. Unlike a presidential system, where separation of powers is strict, India’s parliamentary system allows fusion of powers between executive and legislature, promoting coordinated policy-making. The President or Governor acts largely as a ceremonial head, while real executive authority rests with the council of ministers.
Importance and Significance
The Parliamentary Form ensures representative and accountable governance, as the executive is answerable to the elected legislature. It promotes political stability, consensus-building, and responsiveness to public opinion. By making the executive dependent on legislative confidence, it reduces the risk of arbitrary decision-making. Moreover, collective responsibility ensures Cabinet solidarity, while the Prime Minister coordinates policies across ministries. Judicial interpretation in cases like S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) highlights the importance of legislative confidence in maintaining a functioning parliamentary system, emphasizing accountability as the core principle.
Real-Time Example
A real example is the Indian Union Government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2014–present), which functions on the confidence of the Lok Sabha majority. Any no-confidence motion in the Lok Sabha would require the Council of Ministers to resign if defeated, illustrating collective responsibility in action. Similarly, in states like Karnataka (2019), the resignation of the Congress-Janata Dal (Secular) coalition after losing majority demonstrates the practical application of parliamentary principles in India’s governance. These examples show how legislative support ensures the stability of the executive.
Mnemonic to Remember – “CLEAP”
C – Collective responsibility of Ministers (Article 75(3))
L – Legislative confidence required
E – Executive derives authority from Legislature
A – Accountability to Parliament or Assembly
P – Prime Minister/Chief Minister heads the Council of Ministers
The mnemonic “CLEAP” helps recall that the Parliamentary Form of Government relies on Collective, Legislative, Executive, Accountability, and Prime Minister-led governance for democratic functioning.
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Explore the Parliamentary Form of Government in India in detail at Lawgnan.in. Understand how this democratic system, established under Articles 74, 75, 163, and 164, ensures executive accountability to the legislature. Learn about core principles such as collective responsibility, legislative confidence, and coordination between the executive and legislature that make India’s governance participatory and representative. Ideal for law students, UPSC aspirants, and judiciary exam candidates, this article provides real-life examples and case laws like S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, helping you master the constitutional foundation and practical functioning of India’s Parliamentary system.
