The Governance System

11. 11. Which one of the following is not the feature of Indian Constitution? [U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2015]

(a) Parliamentary Government
(b) Presidential Government
(c) Independence of Judiciary
(d) Federal Government

Correct Answer: (b) Presidential Government

Solution:The Presidential form of Government is not a feature of the Indian Constitution. Parliamentary Government, Independent Judiciary and Federal Government are the characteristics of the Indian Constitution.

India chose a parliamentary form of government primarily because the constitution-makers were greatly influenced by the system in England. Another reason the founding fathers saw was that the parliamentary model would only work to accommodate the varied and diverse groups within our population. Also, the strict separation of powers in the presidential system would cause conflicts between the two branches, the executive and the legislature, which our newly-independent country could ill-afford.
There are more parliamentary forms of government in the world than there are presidencies. In this system, the parliament is generally supreme and the executive is responsible to the legislature. It is also known as the Cabinet form of government, and also 'Responsible Government.

12. Which one of the following is incorrect about the Indian Political System? [U.P.P.C.S. (Spl) (Mains) 2008]

(a) Secular State
(b) Parliamentary System of the Government
(c) Federal Policy
(d) Presidential System of the Government

Correct Answer: (d) Presidential System of the Government

Solution:India has a Parliamentary form of Government, not a Presidential form of Government. The President is only the formal head of the Government. In other words, he is a nominal head of the executive branch. The real executive being the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. Indian Constitution adopted a form of secular State and federal system.

India chose a parliamentary form of government primarily because the constitution-makers were greatly influenced by the system in England. Another reason the founding fathers saw was that the parliamentary model would only work to accommodate the varied and diverse groups within our population. Also, the strict separation of powers in the presidential system would cause conflicts between the two branches, the executive and the legislature, which our newly-independent country could ill-afford.
There are more parliamentary forms of government in the world than there are presidencies. In this system, the parliament is generally supreme and the executive is responsible to the legislature. It is also known as the Cabinet form of government, and also 'Responsible Government.

13. There is parliamentary system of Government in India because the [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2015]

(a) Lok Sabha is elected directly by the people
(b) Parliament can amend the Constitution
(c) Rajya Sabha cannot be dissolved
(d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha

Correct Answer: (d) Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha

Solution:A parliamentary system of Government is a system of democratic government in which the members of the executive are taken from the legislature and are accountable for the same. Therefore, the Executive (Council of Ministers) is responsible to the Lok Sabha (House of the People).

The advantages of the parliamentary system are as follows:

Better coordination between the executive and the legislature: Since the executive is a part of the legislature, and generally the majority of the legislature
support the government, it is easier to pass laws and implement them.
Prevents authoritarianism: Since the executive is responsible to the legislature, and can vote it out in a motion of no confidence, there is no authoritarianism. Also, unlike the presidential system, power is not concentrated in one hand.
Responsible government: The members of the legislature can ask questions and discuss matters of public interest and put pressure on the government. The parliament can check the activities of the executive,
Representing diverse groups: In this system, the parliament offers representation to diverse groups of the country. This is especially important for a country like India.
Flexibility: There is flexibility in the system as the PM can be changed easily if needed. During the Second World War, the British PM Neville Chamberlain was replaced by Winston Churchill. This is unlike the presidential systern where he/she can be replaced only after the entire term or in case of Impeachment/incapacity.

14. The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

(a) the executive and legislature work independently.
(b) it provides continuity of policy and is more efficient.
(c) the executive remains responsible to the legislature.
(d) the bead of the government cannot be changed without election.

Correct Answer: (c) the executive remains responsible to the legislature.

Solution:One of the main advantages of the parliamentary form of Government is that the executive remains responsible to the Legislature. This results in the formation of a responsible Government. In such a Government system, the Executive branch derives its legitimacy from the Legislature. Thus, option (c) is the correct answer.

The advantages of the parliamentary system are as follows:

Better coordination between the executive and the legislature: Since the executive is a part of the legislature, and generally the majority of the legislature
support the government, it is easier to pass laws and implement them.
Prevents authoritarianism: Since the executive is responsible to the legislature, and can vote it out in a motion of no confidence, there is no authoritarianism. Also, unlike the presidential system, power is not concentrated in one hand.
Responsible government: The members of the legislature can ask questions and discuss matters of public interest and put pressure on the government. The parliament can check the activities of the executive,
Representing diverse groups: In this system, the parliament offers representation to diverse groups of the country. This is especially important for a country like India.
Flexibility: There is flexibility in the system as the PM can be changed easily if needed. During the Second World War, the British PM Neville Chamberlain was replaced by Winston Churchill. This is unlike the presidential systern where he/she can be replaced only after the entire term or in case of Impeachment/incapacity.

15. In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the Parliamentary Government? [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2013]

1. Members of the Cabinet are the Members of the Parliament.

2. Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament.

3. The Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2
(b) Only 3
(c) 2 and 3
(d) All of these

Correct Answer: (a) 1 and 2

Solution:In Parliamentary System, the Union Council of Ministers exercises executive authority. The Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lower House of Parliament which is called the House of the People. Any Minister who is not a member of either House of Parliament for six consecutive months shall, at the expiration of that period, cease to be a Ministers according to Art. 75(5). According to Art. 75(3), the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People. Thus Statements 1 and 2 are correct, but statement 3 is incorrect as the Cabinet is headed by the Head of the Government, the Prime Minister. The Head of the State is the President.

16. Which one of the following statements is correct regarding parliamentary form of government? [65th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]

(a) The Legislature is responsible to judiciary
(b) The Legislature is responsible to Executive
(c) The Legislature and the Executive are independent
(d) The president is responsible to Judiciary
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Correct Answer: (e) None of the above/More than one of the above

Solution:Features of the parliamentary form of Government are

1. The Executive is responsible to the legislature.

2. Majority Party rule.

3. Collective Responsibility

4. Nominal and Real Executives

5. Political Homogeneity

6. Double membership

7. Leadership of Prime Minister

8. Dissolution of lower House

9. Secrecy of procedure.

17. Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government: [U.P.S.C. (Pre) 2017]

(a) An arrangement for minimizing the criticism against the Government whose responsibilities are complex and hard to carry out to the satisfaction of all.
(b) A mechanism for speeding up the Activities of the Government whose responsibilities are increasing day by day.
(c) A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people.
(d) A device for strengthening the hands of the head of the Government whose hold over the people is in a state of decline.

Correct Answer: (c) A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the people.

Solution:The Parliamentary system of Government is also known as the cabinet form of government or responsible Government. This type of Government is accountable to the popular House of legislature and remains in power till it has the majority in that House. Thus, the Cabinet form of Government is a mechanism to ensure collective responsibility of the Government to the people.

18. In a Presidential Government, all the executive powers are vested in- [U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2005]

(a) President
(b) Cabinet
(c) Legislature
(d) Upper House

Correct Answer: (a) President

Solution:In a Presidential form of Government, all the executive powers are vested in the President, who serves as both head of the state and head of the Government.

Features of the Presidential System
1. The executive (President) can veto acts by the legislature.
2. The President has a fixed tenure and cannot be removed by a vote of no-confidence in the legislature.
3. Generally, the President has the power to pardon or commute judicial sentences awarded to criminals.
4. The President is elected directly by the people or by an electoral college.

19. The cardinal features of political system in India are- [U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2008, U.P.P.C.S. (Prv) 2009]

1. It is a democratic republic.

2. It has a Parliamentary form of government.

3. The supreme power vests in People of India.

4. It provides for a unified authority.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) All the four

Correct Answer: (b) 1, 2 and 3

Solution:The cardinal feature of the political system in India is that it is a democratic republic, where the supreme power is vested in the People of India. India has a Parliamentary form of Government. However, it does not provide for a unified authority but makes a Separation of powers between the Union and the States.

India chose a parliamentary form of government primarily because the constitution-makers were greatly influenced by the system in England. Another reason the founding fathers saw was that the parliamentary model would only work to accommodate the varied and diverse groups within our population. Also, the strict separation of powers in the presidential system would cause conflicts between the two branches, the executive and the legislature, which our newly-independent country could ill-afford.
There are more parliamentary forms of government in the world than there are presidencies. In this system, the parliament is generally supreme and the executive is responsible to the legislature. It is also known as the Cabinet form of government, and also 'Responsible Government.

20. Consider the following statements: [U.P. P.C.S. (Mains) 2012]

1. India is a democratic polity.

2. India is a sovereign state.

3. India has a democratic society.

4. India is a welfare state.

Which of the above statements are true?

(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 1, 2 and 3 only
(c) 2, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Correct Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Solution:According to the Constitution, India is a Sovereign, Socialist, Secular and Democratic Republic. The architect of Indian Constitution provided for a welfare State by the provision of Directive Principles of state policy. Thus option (d) is the correct answer.

The Preamble's declaration of India as a "Sovereign, Socialist, Secular, Democratic, Republic" encapsulates the fundamental principles that shape the nature and functioning of the Indian state.
Sovereignty: The term "Sovereign" signifies the independent and supreme authority of the Indian state. Internally, it means that the Indian government has the ultimate decision-making power within its territorial boundaries. Externally, it implies that India is not subject to control or interference by any external power.
Socialism: The addition of "Socialist" through the 42nd Amendment in 1976 reflects India's commitment to achieving social and economic equality. The government plays a crucial role in ensuring the equitable distribution of resources and providing basic amenities to all citizens, regardless of their social or economic status. It is reflected in the DPSPs of the Constitution.
Secularism: The declaration of India as a "Secular" state in the Preamble emphasises that the state does not have an official religion. It ensures that all religions are treated with equal respect. Citizens have the freedom of conscience and the right to profess, practice, and propagate their religion without discrimination.
Democracy: The characterisation of India as a "Democratic" republic underscores the principle of government by the people, for the people, and of the people. Regular, free and fair elections allow citizens to actively participate in the political process. Every citizen has an equal right to vote and choose their representatives.
Republic: The term "Republic" signifies that the head of the state (the President) is an elected official, not a hereditary monarch. This form of government ensures that the power and authority of the state are derived from the people's mandate.