PPT: Parliamentary System | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

 Page 1


The Parliamentary 
System in India
India has a parliamentary form of government, similar to 
countries like Britain and Canada. This system features an 
executive accountable to the legislature.
The Constitution covers the parliamentary system in 
Articles 74, 75, 163, and 164. This presentation will explore 
its features, merits, and demerits, as well as the reasons for 
its adoption.
Page 2


The Parliamentary 
System in India
India has a parliamentary form of government, similar to 
countries like Britain and Canada. This system features an 
executive accountable to the legislature.
The Constitution covers the parliamentary system in 
Articles 74, 75, 163, and 164. This presentation will explore 
its features, merits, and demerits, as well as the reasons for 
its adoption.
The Cabinet System and 
Prime Ministerial 
Government
Cabinet System
Ivor Jennings referred to the 
parliamentary system as the 
'cabinet system' because the 
cabinet holds central power 
in governance.
Prime Ministerial 
Government
The Prime Minister, 
traditionally seen as 'first 
among equals' within the 
cabinet, has gained 
significant influence in recent 
times, leading to the term 
'prime ministerial 
government.'
Power Dynamics
This shift in power dynamics holds true both in Britain and in 
India, highlighting the evolving nature of parliamentary systems.
Page 3


The Parliamentary 
System in India
India has a parliamentary form of government, similar to 
countries like Britain and Canada. This system features an 
executive accountable to the legislature.
The Constitution covers the parliamentary system in 
Articles 74, 75, 163, and 164. This presentation will explore 
its features, merits, and demerits, as well as the reasons for 
its adoption.
The Cabinet System and 
Prime Ministerial 
Government
Cabinet System
Ivor Jennings referred to the 
parliamentary system as the 
'cabinet system' because the 
cabinet holds central power 
in governance.
Prime Ministerial 
Government
The Prime Minister, 
traditionally seen as 'first 
among equals' within the 
cabinet, has gained 
significant influence in recent 
times, leading to the term 
'prime ministerial 
government.'
Power Dynamics
This shift in power dynamics holds true both in Britain and in 
India, highlighting the evolving nature of parliamentary systems.
Key Features of Parliamentary Government
Nominal and Real 
Executives
The President serves as the nominal 
executive, while the Prime Minister 
acts as the real executive, leading the 
government and making day-to-day 
decisions.
Majority Party Rule
The political party securing majority 
seats in the Lok Sabha forms the 
government, with the Prime Minister 
appointed from the majority party's 
leader.
Collective Responsibility
Ministers collectively bear 
responsibility to Parliament, 
particularly to the Lok Sabha, which 
can remove the entire ministry 
through a vote of no confidence.
Page 4


The Parliamentary 
System in India
India has a parliamentary form of government, similar to 
countries like Britain and Canada. This system features an 
executive accountable to the legislature.
The Constitution covers the parliamentary system in 
Articles 74, 75, 163, and 164. This presentation will explore 
its features, merits, and demerits, as well as the reasons for 
its adoption.
The Cabinet System and 
Prime Ministerial 
Government
Cabinet System
Ivor Jennings referred to the 
parliamentary system as the 
'cabinet system' because the 
cabinet holds central power 
in governance.
Prime Ministerial 
Government
The Prime Minister, 
traditionally seen as 'first 
among equals' within the 
cabinet, has gained 
significant influence in recent 
times, leading to the term 
'prime ministerial 
government.'
Power Dynamics
This shift in power dynamics holds true both in Britain and in 
India, highlighting the evolving nature of parliamentary systems.
Key Features of Parliamentary Government
Nominal and Real 
Executives
The President serves as the nominal 
executive, while the Prime Minister 
acts as the real executive, leading the 
government and making day-to-day 
decisions.
Majority Party Rule
The political party securing majority 
seats in the Lok Sabha forms the 
government, with the Prime Minister 
appointed from the majority party's 
leader.
Collective Responsibility
Ministers collectively bear 
responsibility to Parliament, 
particularly to the Lok Sabha, which 
can remove the entire ministry 
through a vote of no confidence.
Key Features of Parliamentary Government 
(Continued)
Double Membership
Ministers serve as members of 
both the legislature and the 
executive, requiring parliamentary 
membership. Failure to maintain 
this leads to cessation of 
ministerial position.
Leadership of the Prime 
Minister
The Prime Minister holds 
leadership roles in the council of 
ministers, Parliament, and the 
ruling party, crucial for the 
functioning of the government.
Dissolution Power
The Prime Minister can advise the 
President to dissolve the Lok 
Sabha, leading to fresh elections 
before the term ends.
Secrecy
Ministers operate under the principle of secrecy, unable to disclose information about proceedings, policies, and 
decisions.
Page 5


The Parliamentary 
System in India
India has a parliamentary form of government, similar to 
countries like Britain and Canada. This system features an 
executive accountable to the legislature.
The Constitution covers the parliamentary system in 
Articles 74, 75, 163, and 164. This presentation will explore 
its features, merits, and demerits, as well as the reasons for 
its adoption.
The Cabinet System and 
Prime Ministerial 
Government
Cabinet System
Ivor Jennings referred to the 
parliamentary system as the 
'cabinet system' because the 
cabinet holds central power 
in governance.
Prime Ministerial 
Government
The Prime Minister, 
traditionally seen as 'first 
among equals' within the 
cabinet, has gained 
significant influence in recent 
times, leading to the term 
'prime ministerial 
government.'
Power Dynamics
This shift in power dynamics holds true both in Britain and in 
India, highlighting the evolving nature of parliamentary systems.
Key Features of Parliamentary Government
Nominal and Real 
Executives
The President serves as the nominal 
executive, while the Prime Minister 
acts as the real executive, leading the 
government and making day-to-day 
decisions.
Majority Party Rule
The political party securing majority 
seats in the Lok Sabha forms the 
government, with the Prime Minister 
appointed from the majority party's 
leader.
Collective Responsibility
Ministers collectively bear 
responsibility to Parliament, 
particularly to the Lok Sabha, which 
can remove the entire ministry 
through a vote of no confidence.
Key Features of Parliamentary Government 
(Continued)
Double Membership
Ministers serve as members of 
both the legislature and the 
executive, requiring parliamentary 
membership. Failure to maintain 
this leads to cessation of 
ministerial position.
Leadership of the Prime 
Minister
The Prime Minister holds 
leadership roles in the council of 
ministers, Parliament, and the 
ruling party, crucial for the 
functioning of the government.
Dissolution Power
The Prime Minister can advise the 
President to dissolve the Lok 
Sabha, leading to fresh elections 
before the term ends.
Secrecy
Ministers operate under the principle of secrecy, unable to disclose information about proceedings, policies, and 
decisions.
Features of Presidential 
Government
1
Dual Role
The American President serves as both the head of 
state and the head of government, elected for a fixed 
four-year term.
2
Cabinet Structure
Governance is facilitated with the assistance of a 
cabinet or a smaller advisory body, known as the 
"Kitchen Cabinet," consisting of non-elected 
departmental secretaries.
3
Separation of Powers
The American presidential system is grounded in the 
doctrine of separation of powers, where the legislative, 
executive, and judicial branches operate independently.