GS PrelimsPolityExecutive System2013

In the context of India, which of the following principles is/are implied institutionally in the parliamentary government? 1. Members of the Cabinet are Members of the Parliament. 2. Ministers hold the office till they enjoy confidence in the Parliament. 3. Cabinet is headed by the Head of the State. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

A

1 and 2 only

B

3 only

C

2 and 3 only

D

1, 2 and 3

Correct Answer: Option A

Explanation

1. Parliamentary government in India is based on the Westminster model, characterized by a close relationship between the executive and the legislature. 2. Statement 1 is a key principle. In India, Ministers (who form the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers) must be Members of the Parliament (either Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha). If a non-Member is appointed as a Minister, they must become a Member within six months (Article 75(5)). This implies dual membership – executive (Minister) and legislature (Member of Parliament). 3. Statement 2 is also a fundamental principle of parliamentary government, known as collective responsibility. According to Article 75(3), the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People (Lok Sabha). This means the Ministers hold office as long as they command the confidence of the Lok Sabha. If a no-confidence motion is passed, the government must resign. 4. Statement 3 is incorrect. In India's parliamentary government, the Cabinet (and the Council of Ministers) is headed by the Prime Minister, who is the Head of Government. The Head of the State is the President, who is the nominal or constitutional head, not the head of the executive in the day-to-day functioning sense (i.e., not the head of the Cabinet).

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