Question map
Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the Cabinet form of Government :
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] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 21: Central Council of Ministers > Collective Responsibility > p. 215
- [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] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Definition/Principle' question directly from standard texts (Laxmikanth/NCERT). The trap lies in confusing 'functional benefits' (speed, minimizing criticism) with the 'constitutional essence' (accountability). Always prioritize the democratic rationale over administrative utility.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
States that the fundamental principle of the parliamentary/cabinet system is collective responsibility: ministers share joint responsibility for acts of omission and commission.
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.
Explains that cabinet decisions bind all ministers and it is their duty to stand by Cabinet decisions both inside and outside the legislature.
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.
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.
A student might extend this to argue that team-based decision-making institutionalizes internal resolution of conflicts, thereby minimizing external criticism.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
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This statement analysis shows book citations, web sources and indirect clues. The first statement (S1) is open for preview.
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