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Q99 (IAS/2017) Polity & Governance › Union Executive › Union Council of Ministers Official Key

Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government :

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The fundamental principle underlying the working of parliamentary system of government is the principle of collective responsibility.[1] Parliamentary democracy in most countries is often known as the Cabinet form of government.[2] Article 75 clearly states that the council of ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means that all the ministers own joint responsibility to the Lok Sabha for all their acts of omission and commission.[1] The parliamentary government is also known as 'responsible government' because the cabinet (the real executive) is accountable to Parliament and stays in office so long as it enjoys the latter's confidence.[3] Therefore, option C correctly identifies the core principle: the Cabinet form ensures collective responsibility of the government to the people through their elected representatives in Parliament. The other options describe incidental features or consequences but do not capture the foundational principle of collective accountability that defines the Cabinet system.

Sources
  1. [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 215
  2. [2] Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS > Prime Minister and C er and Cer Council of Ministers > p. 65
  3. [3] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
How others answered
Each bar shows the % of students who chose that option. Green bar = correct answer, blue outline = your choice.
Community Performance
Out of everyone who attempted this question.
55%
got it right
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full view
Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government : [A] An arrange…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 5/10 · 5/10
Statement 1
Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is an arrangement for minimizing criticism against the government whose responsibilities are complex and hard to carry out to the satisfaction of all?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"the role of the cabinet makes it difficult for the the electorate to assign responsibility for the continuing pol- icy failures of govemment."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that the cabinet's role makes it hard for voters to assign responsibility for government failures, which implies diffusion of blame and reduced individual criticism.
  • Links cabinet structure to electoral difficulty in holding a single actor accountable for complex policy failures.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"the three principal external improve the prospect that decisions will be collective-incentives that encourage the head of government to ... form a collective cabinet are: In examining the incentives at work, the report is * The threat that the legislature will significantly amend the government's program as expressed in the budget proposals made by the executive. * The threat of dismissal between elections."
Why this source?
  • Describes incentives that encourage the head of government to form a collective cabinet, indicating a purpose of making decisions collectively rather than by a single individual.
  • Collective decision-making by a cabinet can dilute individual responsibility and thereby reduce focused criticism.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 331
Strength: 5/5
“The fundamental principle underlying the working of parliamentary system of government is the principle of collective responsibility. Article 64 clearly states that the council of ministers is collectively responsible to the legislative assembly of the state. This means that all the ministers own joint responsibility to the legislative assembly for all their acts of omission and commission. They work as a team and share responsibilities together.”
Why relevant

States that the fundamental principle of the parliamentary/cabinet system is collective responsibility: ministers share joint responsibility for acts of omission and commission.

How to extend

A student could infer that collective responsibility discourages public dissent among ministers, which might reduce visible criticism of the government's actions when tasks are complex.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 332
Strength: 5/5
“the council of ministers can advice the governor to dissolve the legislative assembly on the ground that the House does not represent the views of the electorate faithfully and call for fresh elections. The gove rn or may not oblige the council of ministers which has lost the confidence of the legislative assembly. The principle of collective responsibility also means that the cabinet decisions bind all cabinet ministers (and other ministers) even if they deferred in the cabinet meeting. It is the duty of every minister to stand by the cabinet decisions and support them both within and outside the state legislature.”
Why relevant

Explains that cabinet decisions bind all ministers and it is their duty to stand by Cabinet decisions both inside and outside the legislature.

How to extend

Combine with the idea that binding solidarity channels disagreements internally, suggesting the Cabinet form limits public criticism even when policies are difficult to satisfy all groups.

Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS > Prime Minister and C er and Cer Council of Ministers > p. 65
Strength: 4/5
“It comprises about 25 ministers. • Ministers of State with independent charge are usually in-charge of smaller Ministries. They participate in the Cabinet meetings only when specially invited. Since it is not practical for all ministers to meet regularly and discuss everything, the decisions are taken in Cabinet meetings. That is why parliamentary democracy in most countries is often known as the Cabinet form of government. The Cabinet works as a team. The ministers may have different views and opinions, but everyone has to own up to every decision of the Cabinet. 65 The race to become minister is not new.”
Why relevant

Notes that decisions are taken in Cabinet meetings because it is impractical for all ministers to meet regularly; the Cabinet works as a team and ministers must 'own up' to every decision.

How to extend

A student might extend this to argue that team-based decision-making institutionalizes internal resolution of conflicts, thereby minimizing external criticism.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > THE UNION LEGISLATURE . > p. 241
Strength: 4/5
“But the critical function of Parliament has increased in importance and is bound to increase if Cabinet Government is to remain a 'responsible' form of government instead of being an autocratic one. While the Cabinet is left to formulate the policy, the function of Parliament is to bring about a discussion and criticism of that policy on the floor of the House, so that not only the Cabinet can get the advice of the deliberative body and learn about its own errors and deficiencies, but the nation as a whole can be appraised of an alternative point of view, on the evaluation of which representative democracy rests in theory.”
Why relevant

States Parliament's critical function is to discuss and criticize Cabinet policy so the Cabinet can learn about errors and the nation can hear alternative views.

How to extend

Using this, a student could contrast Cabinet-internal suppression of dissent (collective responsibility) with Parliament's role as the external forum for criticism, testing whether cabinet form minimizes visible criticism or merely shifts it to the legislature.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > FEATURES OF PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT > p. 134
Strength: 3/5
“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

Points out that in parliamentary systems the cabinet fuses legislative and executive roles and remarks that ministers are 'not experts' (government by amateurs), implying limits in administrative efficiency.

How to extend

A student could combine the idea of ministers’ limited expertise with collective responsibility to argue that complex responsibilities might produce errors yet be publicly defended by the united Cabinet — potentially reducing public admission of faults.

Statement 2
Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is a mechanism for speeding up the activities of the government whose responsibilities are increasing day by day?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS > Prime Minister and C er and Cer Council of Ministers > p. 65
Presence: 5/5
“It comprises about 25 ministers. • Ministers of State with independent charge are usually in-charge of smaller Ministries. They participate in the Cabinet meetings only when specially invited. Since it is not practical for all ministers to meet regularly and discuss everything, the decisions are taken in Cabinet meetings. That is why parliamentary democracy in most countries is often known as the Cabinet form of government. The Cabinet works as a team. The ministers may have different views and opinions, but everyone has to own up to every decision of the Cabinet. 65 The race to become minister is not new.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that decisions are taken in Cabinet meetings because it is impractical for all ministers to meet regularly — implying concentration of decision-making for practicality/efficiency.
  • Directly links this practicality to why parliamentary democracy is called the Cabinet form of government, supporting the claim that Cabinet form speeds up government functioning.
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
Presence: 3/5
“The presidential government, on the other hand, is also known as non-responsible or non-parliamentary or fixed executive system of government and is prevalent in USA, Brazil, Russia and Sri Lanka among others. Ivor Jennings called the parliamentary system as 'cabinet system' because the cabinet is the nucleus of power in a parliamentary The parliamentary government is also known as 'responsible government' because the cabinet (the real executive) is accountable to Parliament and stays in office so long as it enjoys the latter's confidence. It is described as a 'Westminster model of government' after the location of the British Parliament, where the parliamentary system originated.”
Why this source?
  • Describes the cabinet as the 'nucleus of power' and the real executive, indicating centralized decision-making.
  • Centralization of executive authority in the cabinet is consistent with enabling quicker, coordinated action compared with dispersed full-ministry deliberation.
Statement 3
Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is a mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the government to the people?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 215
Presence: 5/5
“The fundamental principle underlying the working of parliamentary system of government is the principle of collective responsibility. Article 75 clearly states that the council of ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. This means that all the ministers own joint responsibility to the Lok Sabha for all their acts of omission and commission. They work as a team and swim or sink together.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that the fundamental principle underlying the parliamentary system is collective responsibility.
  • Mentions Article 75: council of ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha (the people's representatives).
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > DEMERITS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM > p. 133
Presence: 5/5
“However, when no single party gets the majority, a coalition of parties may be invited by the President to form the government. 3. Collective Responsibility This is the bedrock principle of parliamentary government. The ministers are collectively responsible to the Parliament in general and to the Lok Sabha in particular (Article 75). They act as a team, and swim and sink together. The principle of collective responsibility implies that the Lok Sabha can remove the ministry (Le., council of ministers headed by the Prime Minister) from office by passing a vote of no confidence. 4. Political Homogeneity Members of the council of ministers usually belong to the same political party, and hence they share the same political ideology.”
Why this source?
  • Describes collective responsibility as the bedrock principle of parliamentary government.
  • Explains the practical enforcement: Lok Sabha can remove the ministry by passing a vote of no confidence, linking the cabinet to accountability.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
Presence: 4/5
“, 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 this source?
  • Defines the parliamentary system as one where the executive is responsible to the legislature and equates parliamentary government with 'cabinet government' or 'responsible government'.
  • Connects the cabinet form with executive responsibility to elected legislative bodies (indirectly to the people).
Statement 4
Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is a device for strengthening the hands of the head of the government whose hold over the people is in a state of decline?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The ability to rely on the support of the head of government and to mobilize cooperation from civil servants across the public sector makes it possible for the comparatively small staffs of cabinet offices to enforce cabinet rules and hold the line"
Why this source?
  • Explains that cabinet offices can rely on the head of government to mobilize the administration, enabling small cabinet staffs to enforce rules.
  • Shows cabinet structures are used to bind ministers and hold the line — a mechanism that strengthens the head's control over government business.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"the filtering and gatekeeper functions of the cabinet office are distinct from the political and policy planning issues of the head of govemment's office."
Why this source?
  • Describes the cabinet office's 'filtering and gatekeeper functions' as distinct from the head of government's political planning — implying a role in controlling access and decisions.
  • Gatekeeping and filtering concentrate control around the centre, supporting the head's authority within government.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"are individually and collectively answerable to the National Assembly and to the head of government."
Why this source?
  • States that cabinet members are 'individually and collectively answerable ... to the head of government', indicating the cabinet's accountability strengthens the head's position.
  • Collective answerability centralizes responsibility and supports the head's ability to direct government action.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > CABINET > p. 333
Strength: 4/5
“t CABINET A smaller body called cabinet is the nucleus of the council of ministers. It consists of only the cabinet ministers. It is the real centre of authority in the state government. It performs the following role: • 1. It is the highest decision-making authority in the politico-administrative system of a state. • 2. It is the chief policy-formulating body of the state government. • 3. It is the supreme executive authority of the state government. • 4. It is the chief coordinator of the state administration. • 5. It is an advisory body to the governor. • 6.”
Why relevant

Describes the cabinet as the 'real centre of authority' and the highest decision‑making body — a general rule about where executive power lies in cabinet systems.

How to extend

A student could combine this with knowledge of a weakened leader to ask whether concentrating authority in the cabinet can compensate for a leader's reduced personal following.

Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS > Powers of the ers theers Prime Minister > p. 66
Strength: 5/5
“The Constitution does not say very much about the powers of the Prime Minister or the ministers or their relationship with each other. But as head of the government, the Prime Minister has wide-ranging powers. He chairs Cabinet meetings. He coordinates the work of different Departments. His decisions are final in case disagreements arise between Departments. He exercises general supervision of different ministries. All ministers work under his leadership. Thus, if the Cabinet is the most powerful institution in India, within the Cabinet it is the Prime Minister. Who is the most powerful? The powers of the Prime Minister in all parliamentary democracies of the world have increased so much in recent decades that parliamentary democracies are sometimes seen as Prime Ministerial form of government.”
Why relevant

Explains the Prime Minister chairs and coordinates the Cabinet and that PMial powers have grown — showing the head of government can use the cabinet as an instrument of leadership.

How to extend

Using this, a student could infer that an empowered PM might rely on cabinet mechanisms to bolster leadership when direct popular support wanes.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
Strength: 4/5
“The presidential government, on the other hand, is also known as non-responsible or non-parliamentary or fixed executive system of government and is prevalent in USA, Brazil, Russia and Sri Lanka among others. Ivor Jennings called the parliamentary system as 'cabinet system' because the cabinet is the nucleus of power in a parliamentary The parliamentary government is also known as 'responsible government' as the cabinet (the real executive) is accountable to the Parliament and stays in office so long as it enjoys the latter's confidence. It is described as 'Westminster model of government' after the location of the British Parliament, where the parliamentary system originated.”
Why relevant

States the cabinet is the real executive and is accountable to Parliament (responsible government) — a constraint and source of legitimacy for executive action.

How to extend

A student could weigh whether cabinet reliance is more about parliamentary confidence (legitimacy) than about shoring up a declining personal hold.

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 92: World Constitutions > JAPANESE CONSTITUTION > p. 684
Strength: 3/5
“The Cabinet consists of the Prime Minister as its head and twenty Ministers of State. The Emperor is the head of the State while the Prime Minister is head of the Government. (ii) The party which secures majority seats in the House of Representatives forms the Government. The leader of the majority party or majority coalition invariably becomes the Prime Minister. • (iii) The Prime Minister is designated from among the members of the Diet by a resolution of the Diet. 'fhe Emperor appoints the Prime Minister as designated by the Diet.• (iv) The Prime Minister appoints the Ministers of State.”
Why relevant

Notes in the Japanese example that the Prime Minister is head of government and appoints ministers, illustrating the cabinet as an instrument of the PM.

How to extend

By comparing systems (e.g., where PM appoints ministers), a student could assess whether appointment power lets a PM reinforce authority via loyal ministers when personal popularity falls.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > THE UNION LEGISLATURE . > p. 241
Strength: 4/5
“Functions of Parliament have been explained at the outset. Our Constitution has ment. adopted the Parliamentary system of Government which effects a harmonious blending of the legislative and executive organs of the State inasmuch as the executive power is wielded by a group of members of the Legislature who command a majority in the popular Chamber of the Legislature and remain in power so long as they retain that majority. 1. Providing the Cabinet. It follows from the above that the first function of Parliament is that of providing the Cabinet and holding them responsible. Though the responsibility of the Cabinet is to the popular Chamber, the membership of the Cabinet is not necessarily restricted to that Chamber and some of the members are usually taken from the upper Chamber . .”
Why relevant

Explains Parliament's function of providing the Cabinet and holding it responsible — emphasizing that cabinet authority derives from legislative majority, not solely from the head's personal standing.

How to extend

A student could use this to test whether cabinet strength compensates for a weak head only when the head retains parliamentary support (majority), otherwise it won't bolster a declining personal hold.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC frequently tests the 'Spirit' vs the 'Letter'. For political systems, the 'Spirit' is always about the relationship between the ruler and the ruled (Accountability/Liberty). Ignore options that sound like bureaucratic management (speed/efficiency) when the question asks for 'Principle'.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct hit from Laxmikanth (Chapter: Parliamentary System) or NCERT Class IX (Working of Institutions).
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 'Parliamentary vs. Presidential' debate. Specifically, the trade-off between Accountability (Parliamentary) and Stability (Presidential).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the specific distinctions: 1) Collective Responsibility (Art 75) vs Individual Responsibility (Pleasure of President). 2) 'Cabinet' word origin (inserted in Art 352 by 44th Amendment, 1978). 3) Kitchen Cabinet vs Shadow Cabinet (UK concept). 4) Rule 198 (No-Confidence Motion).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When UPSC asks for the 'Underlying Principle', they want the Constitutional/Democratic justification, not the administrative outcome. Options A, B, and D are administrative outcomes (speed, defense, strength). Option C is the democratic justification (Accountability).
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Collective responsibility
💡 The insight

Multiple references state that the fundamental principle of parliamentary/cabinet government is collective responsibility, where all ministers share joint responsibility and must stand by cabinet decisions.

High-yield for UPSC: explains cabinet unity, accountability to legislature, and the mechanics of ministerial responsibility. Connects to topics on confidence, dissolution, and cabinet discipline; useful for questions on executive-legislative relations and causes of government stability/instability.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 331
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 332
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 331
🔗 Anchor: "Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is an arrange..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Cabinet as the nucleus of power (Westminster model)
💡 The insight

References describe the parliamentary government as the 'cabinet system' or 'Westminster model' with the cabinet as the centre of executive and legislative leadership.

High-yield: helps distinguish parliamentary and presidential systems, understand fusion of powers and implications for separation of powers. Useful for comparative constitutional questions and essays on forms of government.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > FEATURES OF PRESIDENTIAL GOVERNMENT > p. 134
🔗 Anchor: "Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is an arrange..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Parliamentary criticism and accountability
💡 The insight

Evidence highlights Parliament's role in discussing and criticizing cabinet policy so that the cabinet remains 'responsible' and can learn its errors—the system emphasizes scrutiny rather than minimizing criticism.

Important for UPSC: frames questions on accountability mechanisms (debate, question hour, parliamentary oversight) and assesses claims about motivations behind institutional design. Enables argumentation on whether cabinet seeks to avoid or face criticism.

📚 Reading List :
  • Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 12: The Union Legislature > THE UNION LEGISLATURE . > p. 241
  • Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS > Prime Minister and C er and Cer Council of Ministers > p. 65
🔗 Anchor: "Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is an arrange..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Collective responsibility
💡 The insight

The references identify collective responsibility as a fundamental principle of the parliamentary/cabinet system (ministers share joint responsibility).

High-yield for UPSC: this is a core feature used to distinguish parliamentary systems from presidential systems; it connects to questions on accountability, cabinet stability, and motion of no-confidence. Master by linking textual definitions with examples (e.g., ministerial resignations, collective decisions).

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 331
🔗 Anchor: "Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is a mechanis..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Cabinet as the 'nucleus of power' (responsible government)
💡 The insight

Multiple references describe the cabinet as the real executive and 'responsible government', highlighting its central role in decision-making.

Crucial for answering polity questions on executive-legislative relations, features of parliamentary system, and contrasts with presidential systems. Helps frame answers about where authority lies, accountability mechanisms, and reasons for cabinet dominance.

📚 Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
🔗 Anchor: "Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is a mechanis..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Practical efficiency of Cabinet decision-making
💡 The insight

A reference explicitly justifies the Cabinet form on grounds of practicality — decisions are taken in Cabinet because all ministers cannot meet regularly.

Useful for evaluative/analytical questions (e.g., merits/demerits of cabinet system); links institutional design to administrative efficiency. Candidates should use this to argue why cabinet form may speed up governance while balancing it against principles like collective responsibility.

📚 Reading List :
  • Democratic Politics-I. Political Science-Class IX . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 4: WORKING OF INSTITUTIONS > Prime Minister and C er and Cer Council of Ministers > p. 65
🔗 Anchor: "Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is a mechanis..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Collective responsibility
💡 The insight

Central notion in the references: cabinet ministers act as a team and are jointly responsible to the legislature.

High-yield for UPSC polity questions — explains why cabinets are bound to unified positions and why ministers must resign if they cannot defend decisions. Links to questions on cabinet discipline, ministerial responsibility, and constitutional provisions (Articles 75/64). Master by memorising definition, constitutional citations, and practical implications.

📚 Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 215
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 32: State Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 331
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 216
🔗 Anchor: "Is the principle underlying the Cabinet form of government that it is a mechanis..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The term 'Cabinet' was NOT in the original Constitution. It was inserted only in Article 352 by the 44th Constitutional Amendment Act (1978) to ensure the PM cannot declare Emergency unilaterally without the written recommendation of the Cabinet.

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply the 'Democratic Core' filter. Options A, B, and D describe tools for the *Government's benefit* (minimizing criticism, speeding up, strengthening the leader). Option C describes a tool for the *People's benefit* (holding the govt responsible). In a democracy, the 'underlying principle' is always about the People, not the convenience of the Ruler.

🔗 Mains Connection

Mains GS-II (Polity): This links directly to the 'Stability vs. Accountability' debate. The Presidential system offers Stability (Option B/D logic), while the Parliamentary system ensures Accountability (Option C). Use this trade-off to critique proposals for switching India to a Presidential system.

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