Previous Year Question
The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that:
the executive and legislature work independently.
it provides continuity of policy and is more efficient.
the executive remains responsible to the legislature.
the head of the government cannot be changed without election.
Correct Answer: C
Detailed Solution
The principal advantage of the parliamentary system is responsible government. The real executive—the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers—remains accountable to the Lok Sabha and continues in office only while enjoying the confidence of the House.
Constitutional basis
Under Article 75(3), the Union Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
At the State level, Article 164(2) makes the State Council of Ministers collectively responsible to the Legislative Assembly.
Collective responsibility means:
The Council of Ministers functions as a unit.
All ministers must publicly support Cabinet decisions.
A minister with serious disagreement is expected to resign.
If a no-confidence motion is passed in the Lok Sabha, the entire Council of Ministers must resign.
Legislative mechanisms of accountability
Parliament holds the executive accountable through:
Question Hour and Zero Hour
Debates on government policies
No-confidence and censure motions
Voting on the Budget and demands for grants
Cut motions
Scrutiny by parliamentary committees
Examination of reports of the Comptroller and Auditor General
Other options
Option (a) is incorrect. The parliamentary system does not establish complete separation between the executive and legislature. Ministers belong to Parliament or must become members within six months.
Option (b) is incorrect. Greater policy continuity and a fixed tenure are generally associated with the presidential system. A parliamentary government may fall before completing its term if it loses the confidence of the House.
Option (d) is incorrect. The Prime Minister may be changed without a direct general election. The governing party may select a new leader, or the government may lose the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
Limitation of the parliamentary system
Accountability is its principal advantage, but an unstable majority or coalition may affect governmental stability and policy continuity. The system therefore involves a practical balance between accountability and stability.