Meaning and Constitutional Basis
The Principle of Collective Responsibility forms the foundation of India’s parliamentary system of government. It is laid down under Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution, which states that the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People (Lok Sabha). This means that all ministers, led by the Prime Minister, function as a single entity and stand or fall together. If the Lok Sabha passes a no-confidence motion, the entire Council of Ministers must resign, regardless of individual opinions. The concept ensures unity of purpose and accountability in the functioning of the executive, strengthening parliamentary control over the government.
Legal Provision and Application
Under Article 164(2), the same principle applies at the state level, making the Council of Ministers collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly. This doctrine implies that all ministers must publicly support Cabinet decisions, even if they privately disagree. It promotes Cabinet solidarity, where every decision represents the collective will of the government. If any minister disagrees strongly, they must resign rather than oppose publicly. Thus, collective responsibility ensures discipline, coordination, and accountability, enabling the legislature to hold the entire executive responsible for governmental policies and actions.
Objective and Importance
The purpose of the principle is to maintain executive stability, transparency, and democratic accountability. It ensures that the government speaks with one voice, strengthening the bond between the executive and the legislature. This principle reinforces the idea that the government remains answerable to Parliament and, ultimately, to the people. It prevents individual ministers from evading responsibility for Cabinet decisions and safeguards the parliamentary form of government by ensuring that executive power operates collectively and responsibly under the supervision of elected representatives.
Real-Time Example
A clear example of collective responsibility can be seen in 1979, when the Morarji Desai Government resigned after losing the majority support in the Lok Sabha. Similarly, in 1989, the V.P. Singh Government stepped down following a no-confidence motion. In both instances, even though some ministers retained individual popularity, the entire Council resigned collectively. These cases illustrate that the Cabinet functions as a unified body, emphasizing that loss of parliamentary confidence in one is considered a loss for all.
Mnemonic to Remember – “UNIT”
U – Unity of the Council of Ministers
N – No-confidence motion leads to resignation
I – Integrity of executive maintained
T – Together responsible to Parliament
The mnemonic “UNIT” helps remember that the Principle of Collective Responsibility ensures the Unity, No-confidence accountability, Integrity, and Togetherness of the executive branch.
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Discover the Principle of Collective Responsibility under Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution at Lawgnan.in. Understand how this foundational principle ensures Cabinet unity, executive accountability, and parliamentary control in India’s democratic framework. Learn how the Council of Ministers, led by the Prime Minister, functions as one entity — rising and falling together under the supervision of the Lok Sabha. Explore real-life examples like the Morarji Desai and V.P. Singh governments, and grasp how this doctrine upholds the integrity and transparency of India’s parliamentary system. Perfect for law students, UPSC, and judiciary aspirants.
