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Parliamentary System

  • May 14, 2025
  • Posted by: Beauty Kumari
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The parliamentary system of government is one where the executive is accountable to the legislature for its policies and actions. Also referred to as the cabinet system, responsible government, or Prime Minister Model, India follows this form of government. The decision to adopt the parliamentary system in India was heavily influenced by the British colonial legacy.

Parliamentary System of Government

A parliamentary system is a type of democratic government where the political party that secures the majority of seats in the lower house of Parliament forms the government.
The Constitution of India is modeled on the British Parliamentary system, where the executive is responsible for forming government policies and enacting them through legislation while retaining the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
Articles 74 and 75 of the Constitution define the parliamentary system at the central level, while Articles 163 and 164 define it for the states.
Unlike the Presidential system, the executive in a parliamentary system is part of the legislature, and ministers must have the support of the lower house to remain in office.

Main Features of the Indian Parliamentary System

  1. Nominal and Real Executives:
    The President is the nominal executive, while the Prime Minister is the real executive. The President serves as the head of state, and the Prime Minister serves as the head of government.
    According to Article 74, the Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, assists and advises the President. The President is bound by the advice given.
  2. Close Relationship Between Legislative and Executive Powers:
    The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers constitute the executive, while the Parliament forms the legislative body. Ministers are elected from Parliament, meaning executive power originates from the legislature.
  3. Collective Responsibility:
    A fundamental principle of the parliamentary system is collective responsibility. Ministers, as a team, are collectively responsible to the Parliament, especially the Lok Sabha. If the Lok Sabha passes a vote of no confidence, the entire council must resign (Article 75).
  4. Political Homogeneity:
    Typically, the Council of Ministers consists of members from the same political party, thus sharing a common ideology. In the case of a coalition government, decisions are made based on consensus.
  5. Dual Membership:
    Ministers hold dual membership as both members of the legislature and the executive. They must be members of either the Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, as specified in Article 75(5). If a minister is not a member of Parliament for six consecutive months, they lose their position.
  6. Leadership of the Prime Minister:
    The Prime Minister plays a central role as the leader of the Council of Ministers, the ruling party, and Parliament, influencing the overall functioning of the government.
  7. Dissolution of Lok Sabha:
    The President can dissolve the Lok Sabha based on the Prime Minister’s recommendation. This allows the executive to dissolve the legislature and call for fresh elections before the term ends.
  8. Secrecy:
    Ministers operate under the principle of confidentiality, swearing an oath of secrecy before entering office, which ensures that discussions, decisions, and policies remain private.

Advantages of the Indian Parliamentary System

  1. Better Coordination:
    Since the executive is part of the legislature, it fosters better coordination, facilitating easier passage and implementation of laws.
  2. Prevents Authoritarianism:
    The system ensures that power is not concentrated in one individual. The executive is held accountable to the legislature, and any government can be removed through a vote of no confidence.
  3. Responsible Government:
    Ministers are answerable to Parliament, and various parliamentary mechanisms like the question hour and no-confidence motions allow Parliament to oversee the actions of the government.
  4. Ready Alternative Government:
    If the ruling party loses its majority, the opposition can form a new government without needing fresh elections.
  5. Representation of Various Groups:
    The system ensures that various social, ethnic, and regional groups are represented in Parliament, a crucial aspect in a diverse country like India.
  6. Flexibility:
    The parliamentary system is flexible because a change in leadership can occur swiftly without the need for a complete overhaul, as is the case in the presidential system.

Disadvantages of the Indian Parliamentary System

  1. Cabinet Dictatorship:
    The Prime Minister, along with the Cabinet, can dominate the government, which might lead to a situation of “Cabinet dictatorship.”
  2. Ministerial Expertise:
    Ministers may not always be experts in the areas they oversee, impacting the efficiency of governance. The Prime Minister has limited options in selecting ministers.
  3. Bureaucratic Control:
    Bureaucrats have significant power and influence over ministers, and since they are not accountable to the legislature, this can hinder effective governance.
  4. Influences Outside the Constitution:
    Parliamentary committees and advisory bodies may exert undue influence, creating complications in governance.
  5. Policy Inconsistency:
    Changes in the ruling party often result in shifts in government policies, leading to a lack of continuity.
  6. No Real Decentralization:
    The system doesn’t always allow for decentralization, as the legislature may not be able to hold the executive accountable when the ruling party has a majority.
  7. Instability:
    Governments are dependent on the support of the majority in Parliament. If no single party has a majority, it can lead to political instability.
  8. Unqualified Legislators:
    Some legislators may be more focused on securing positions in the executive rather than performing their duties in the legislature, which can lead to inefficiency.
  9. Slow Decision-Making:
    Ministers may be hesitant to make bold or long-term decisions due to the lack of a fixed mandate, which can slow down critical political actions.

Reasons for Adopting the Parliamentary System

The framers of the Indian Constitution chose the parliamentary system for several reasons:

  • Historical Experience: By the time the Constitution was being framed, India had experience with the parliamentary system through the Government of India Acts of 1919 and 1935, which made it familiar to the people.
  • Effective Executive Control: This system ensured that the executive could be effectively controlled by the people’s representatives.
  • Desire for Accountability: The makers of the Constitution wanted a system where the government would be more responsive to the demands of the people.
  • Reluctance Toward Presidential System: They were wary of the presidential system, which could grant excessive power to the President, leading to the risk of a personality cult.
  • Strong Executive with Safeguards: The parliamentary system provides a strong executive branch, but with mechanisms to ensure accountability and prevent excessive concentration of power.

Conclusion

The parliamentary system in India is a reflection of the country’s commitment to democratic principles. It has played a significant role in maintaining political stability and ensuring that the diverse voices of Indian society are represented. Over time, the system has adapted to India’s unique needs, incorporating both indigenous and borrowed elements to meet the country’s requirements for governance.