In the vast landscape of India’s governance, understanding the intricacies of its system of government is paramount, and the UPSC Prelims examination serves as a gateway for aspirants to delve into this domain. Indian Polity and Governance stand as pillars of the nation’s administrative framework, embodying the democratic ethos enshrined in its Constitution. Through meticulously crafted questions, the UPSC navigates aspirants through the nuances of India’s federal structure, parliamentary democracy, and the distribution of powers between the Centre and the States. From the foundational principles laid down in the Constitution to the contemporary challenges facing the Indian political landscape, each query in this domain serves as a compass guiding aspirants toward a comprehensive understanding of India’s system of government.
Q1. Which of the following are matters on which a constitutional amendment is possible only with the ratification of the legislatures of not less than one-half of the states? (1995)
1. Election of the President.
2. Representation of the States in Parliament.
3. Any of the Lists in the 7th schedule.
4. Abolition of the Legislative Council of a State.
(a) 1,2 and 3
(b) 1,2 and 4
(c) 1, 3 and 4
(d) 2, 3 and 4
Ans. (a)
Despite the provisions outlined in Article 168, Parliament holds the authority to enact laws regarding the elimination of a state’s Legislative Council or the establishment of such a council in a state that doesn’t possess one. This authority is granted provided that the state’s legislative assembly passes a resolution to that effect with a majority vote consisting of at least two-thirds of the members present and voting, as well as a majority of the total membership of the Assembly.
Q2. Proportional representation is not necessary country where in a (1997)
(a) there are no reserved constituencies
(b) a two-party system has developed
(c) the first-past-post system prevails
(d) there is a fusion of Presidential and Parliamentary forms of government
Ans. (b)
Proportional representation, designed to reflect the diverse opinions of an electorate, becomes redundant in nations where a dominant two-party system prevails. Unlike in proportional representation systems where candidates need to secure over 50% of the votes to win, in a two-party setup, this threshold is effectively guaranteed for one of the parties. Thus, the implementation of proportional representation becomes unnecessary in such contexts.
Q3. The Indian parliamentary system is different from the British parliamentary system in that India has (1998)
(a) both a real and a nominal executive
(b) a system of collective responsibility
(c) bicameral legislature
(d) the system of judicial review
Ans. (d)
The Indian parliamentary system diverges from its British counterpart through the incorporation of judicial review. In India, this authority is primarily vested in the High Courts and the Supreme Court. Should a statute or ordinance be found in contravention of the Indian Constitution, these courts hold the power to declare it unconstitutional.
Q4. Consider the following statements. (2013)
1. An amendment to the Constitution of India can be initiated by an introduction of a bill in the Lok Sabha only.
2. If such an amendment seeks to make changes in the federal character of the Constitution, the amendment also requires to be ratified by the legislature of all the States of India.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
(a) Only 1
(b) Only 2
(c) Both l and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans. (d)
Both assertions are flawed. The initiation of a Constitutional Amendment is not confined to a specific house of Parliament; it can originate in any. Article 368, found in Part XX of the Constitution, delineates Parliament’s authority to amend the Constitution and outlines its procedural aspects.
When amending certain federal aspects of the Constitution, besides parliamentary endorsement, ratification by the legislatures of at least half the states is mandated. Furthermore, Constitutional Amendment Bills do not necessitate prior presidential approval, and they cannot be passed through a joint session of both Houses of Parliament.
Q5. There is a ‘Parliamentary System of Government’ in India because the (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
Ans. (d)
India adopts a Parliamentary System of Government owing to the accountability of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha. Enshrined in the Indian Constitution, this system operates at both the central and state levels, as outlined in Articles 74, 75, 163, and 164. In a Parliamentary System, such as those in Britain, Japan, Canada, and India, the Executive is answerable to the Legislature for its decisions and policies.
Q6. The main advantages of the parliamentary form of government is that (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 head of the government cannot be changed without election.
Ans. (c)
The parliamentary system offers significant benefits, primarily ensuring the executive’s accountability to the legislature and, by extension, to the public. Under this system, ministers are collectively answerable to the Parliament, especially the Lok Sabha. Article 75 underscores this collective responsibility, emphasizing that they function as a cohesive unit, facing success or failure together. This principle empowers the Lok Sabha to dismiss the entire ministry, led by the Prime Minister, through a vote of no confidence, reflecting the essence of parliamentary democracy.
Q7. Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the cabinet form of government. (2017)
(a) An arrangement for minimising 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.
Ans. (c)
A fundamental aspect of parliamentary democracy, aimed at ensuring the government’s accountability to the people, highlights the essence of the cabinet system of governance. This principle of collective responsibility is enshrined in Article 75(3), mandating that the Council of Ministers remains collectively accountable to the Lok Sabha.
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