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The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that
Explanation
The correct answer is option C because the parliamentary system of government is the one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts[1]. The greatest advantage of the parliamentary system is that it ensures harmonious relationship and cooperation between the legislative and executive organs of the government. The executive is a part of the legislature and both are interdependent at work[2]. The ministers are collectively responsible to the Parliament in general and to the Lok Sabha in particular. This means that they continue in office so long as they enjoy the confidence of the majority members in the Lok Sabha[3].
Option A is incorrect because the parliamentary system is based on the principle of cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive organs[4], not independence. Option B is incorrect because the parliamentary system does not provide a stable government. There is no guarantee that a government can survive its tenure. The parliamentary system is not conducive for the formulation and implementation of long-term policies[5]. Option D is incorrect because in case the ruling party loses its majority, the Head of the State can invite the opposition party to form the government. This means an alternative government can be formed without fresh elections[6].
Sources- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
- [2] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > MERITS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM > p. 132
- [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > fil l E~ecutive Powers and Functions > p. 257
- [4] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > El l Parliamentary form of Government > p. 29
- [5] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > DEMERITS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM > p. 132
- [6] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > MERITS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM > p. 132
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a foundational 'Sitter' directly from Laxmikanth Ch-13 and NCERT Class XI. It tests the core philosophical trade-off of the Indian Constitution: Accountability over Stability. If you missed this, you aren't reading the 'Introduction' paragraphs of standard chapters.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Requiring ministers to be members of parliament emphasizes the closeness of the relationship between the executive and legislature... In essence, the cabinet is a sort of executive committee of the legislature, which leads, but at the same time is always responsible to, the parliamentary majority."
Why this source?
- Explicitly states ministers are recruited from parliament, tying the executive to the legislature.
- Describes the cabinet as an "executive committee of the legislature" that is "always responsible to the parliamentary majority", indicating closeness and lack of independence.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The presidential system of government creates a clear separation of power between the executive (president) and the legislature, with both enjoying direct electoral legitimacy."
Why this source?
- Contrasts the presidential system's "clear separation of power between the executive (president) and the legislature" with European parliamentarianism.
- By drawing this contrast, implies that parliamentary systems do not feature the same independence between executive and legislature.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"A prime minister responsible to parliament can provide political flexibility."
Why this source?
- States that a "prime minister responsible to parliament" indicates the executive (prime minister) is accountable to the legislature.
- This responsibility implies a lack of institutional independence between executive and legislature in parliamentary-style arrangements.
- Explicitly states ministers are recruited from parliament, tying the executive to the legislature.
- Describes the cabinet as an "executive committee of the legislature" that is "always responsible to the parliamentary majority", indicating closeness and lack of independence.
- Contrasts the presidential system's "clear separation of power between the executive (president) and the legislature" with European parliamentarianism.
- By drawing this contrast, implies that parliamentary systems do not feature the same independence between executive and legislature.
- States that a "prime minister responsible to parliament" indicates the executive (prime minister) is accountable to the legislature.
- This responsibility implies a lack of institutional independence between executive and legislature in parliamentary-style arrangements.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > MERITS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM > p. 132
Strength: 5/5
“The parliamentary system of government has the following merits: I. Harmony Between Legislature and Executive The greatest advantage of the parliamentary system is that it ensures harmonious relationship and cooperation between the legislative and executive organs of the government. The executive is a part of the legislature and both are interdependent at work. As a result, there is less scope for disputes and conflicts between the two organs. 2. Responsible Government By its very nature, the parliamentary system establishes a responsible government. The ministers are responsible to the Parliament for all their acts of omission and commission . The Parliament exercises control over the ministers through various devices like question hour, discussions, adjournment motion, no confidence motion, etc.”
Why relevant
States the executive is part of the legislature and both are interdependent, indicating lack of independence between the two organs.
How to extend
A student could compare this rule to constitutions or practices of specific countries to see whether ministers are drawn from the legislature to test independence.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > El l Parliamentary form of Government > p. 29
Strength: 5/5
“The Constitution of India has opted for the British Parliamentary System of Government rather than the American Presidential System of Government. The parliamentary system is based on the principle of cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive organs, while the presidential system is based on the doctrine of separation of powers between the two organs.
The parliamentary system is also known as the 'Westminster' Model of Government, responsible Government and Cabinet Government. The Constitution establishes the parliamentary system not only at the Centre, but also in the states.”
Why relevant
Contrasts parliamentary (based on cooperation/coordination) with presidential (based on separation of powers), giving a general rule about relations between executive and legislature.
How to extend
One could use this rule to classify a given country's system by checking for constitutional clauses creating ministerial responsibility to the legislature.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
Strength: 5/5
“, CHAPle Parliamentary System The Constitution of India provides for a parliamentary form of government, both at the Centre and in the states. Articles 74 and 75 deal with the parliamentary system at the Centre and Articles 163 and 164 in the states. Modern democratic governments are classified into parliamentary and presidential on the basis of the nature of relations between the executive and the legislative organs of the government. The parliamentary system of government is the one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts. The parliamentary government is also known as cabinet government or responsible government or Westminster model of government and is prevalent in Britain, Japan, Canada and India among others.”
Why relevant
Defines parliamentary government as one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature—implying dependence rather than independence.
How to extend
A student might inspect whether the executive can remain in office without legislative confidence in a given country to evaluate independence.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > FEATURES OF PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT > p. 134
Strength: 4/5
“4 . Against Separation of Powers In the parliamentary system, the legislature and the executive are together and inseparable. The cabinet acts as the leader of both the legislature as well as the executive. As Bagehot points out, 'the cabinet is a hyphen that joins the buckle that binds the executive and legislative departments together.' Hence, the whole system of government goes against the letter and spirit of the theory of separation of powers). In fact, there is a fusion of powers. 5. Government by Amateurs The parliamentary system is not conducive to administrative efficiency as the ministers are not experts in their fields.”
Why relevant
Explicitly states there is a fusion of powers in the parliamentary system and that legislature and executive are 'together and inseparable.'
How to extend
Use this pattern to check if the cabinet leads both legislature and executive in practice (e.g., prime ministerial leadership) to infer non‑independence.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 4: EXECUTIVE > Chapter Four EXECUTIVE > p. 78
Strength: 4/5
“INTRODUCTION 78 Legislature, executive and judiciary are the three organs of government. Together, they perform the functions of the government, maintain law and order and look after the welfare of the people. The Constitution ensures that they work in coordination with each other and maintain a balance among themselves. In a parliamentary system, executive and the legislature are interdependent: the legislature controls the executive, and, in turn, is controlled by the executive. In this chapter we shall discuss the composition, structure and function of the executive organ of the government. This chapter will also tell you about the changes that have occurred in recent times due to political practice.”
Why relevant
Says in a parliamentary system executive and legislature are interdependent: the legislature controls the executive and is in turn controlled by it, describing mutual dependence.
How to extend
A student could examine institutional mechanisms listed (e.g., no-confidence motions, ministerial accountability) in a country's practice to assess independence.
States the executive is part of the legislature and both are interdependent, indicating lack of independence between the two organs.
A student could compare this rule to constitutions or practices of specific countries to see whether ministers are drawn from the legislature to test independence.
Contrasts parliamentary (based on cooperation/coordination) with presidential (based on separation of powers), giving a general rule about relations between executive and legislature.
One could use this rule to classify a given country's system by checking for constitutional clauses creating ministerial responsibility to the legislature.
Defines parliamentary government as one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature—implying dependence rather than independence.
A student might inspect whether the executive can remain in office without legislative confidence in a given country to evaluate independence.
Explicitly states there is a fusion of powers in the parliamentary system and that legislature and executive are 'together and inseparable.'
Use this pattern to check if the cabinet leads both legislature and executive in practice (e.g., prime ministerial leadership) to infer non‑independence.
Says in a parliamentary system executive and legislature are interdependent: the legislature controls the executive and is in turn controlled by it, describing mutual dependence.
A student could examine institutional mechanisms listed (e.g., no-confidence motions, ministerial accountability) in a country's practice to assess independence.
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