The Indian parliamentary model draws significant inspiration from the British parliamentary model, given India’s colonial history.
Similarities:
- Parliamentary System:
- Both India and the United Kingdom follow a parliamentary form of government, where the executive branch is derived from the legislature. The Prime Minister is the head of government in both systems.
- Head of State and Head of Government:
- In both models, there is a ceremonial head of state (President in India, Monarch in the UK) and a head of government (Prime Minister).
- Bicameral Legislature:
- Both India and the UK have a bicameral legislature. India has the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States), while the UK has the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
- Cabinet System:
- Both countries have a cabinet system where the executive authority is vested in the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister and other ministers are usually drawn from the majority party in the lower house.
- Parliamentary Committees:
- Both parliamentary models have committees that play a crucial role in scrutinizing legislation, overseeing government actions, and conducting inquiries.
- Rule of Law:
- The principles of the rule of law, parliamentary sovereignty, and democratic governance are fundamental to both systems.
Differences:
- Head of State:
- Indian Model: The President is the ceremonial head of state, elected by an electoral college.
- British Model: The Monarch is the ceremonial head of state, and the position is hereditary.
- Election of the Head of Government:
- Indian Model: The Prime Minister is usually the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha and is appointed by the President.
- British Model: The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the House of Commons and is appointed by the Monarch.
- Cabinet Composition:
- Indian Model: The Cabinet is drawn from the majority party in the Lok Sabha.
- British Model: The Prime Minister and Cabinet members are typically Members of Parliament (MPs) from the House of Commons.
- Upper House Composition:
- Indian Model: Members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by state legislatures and nominated by the President.
- British Model: Members of the House of Lords are appointed, and some inherit their positions.
- Role of the Upper House:
- Indian Model: The Rajya Sabha has limited powers and cannot indefinitely block money bills.
- British Model: The House of Lords can delay money bills but cannot ultimately prevent their passage.
- Bicameral Functions:
- Indian Model: The Rajya Sabha represents states and serves as a revising chamber.
- British Model: The House of Lords revises legislation, reviews policies, and provides expertise.
- Fixed Terms:
- Indian Model: The Prime Minister and the Lok Sabha have a five-year term, but elections can be called earlier under certain conditions.
- British Model: The Prime Minister and the House of Commons have a five-year term, but early elections can be triggered under specific circumstances.
- Constitutional Monarchy:
- Indian Model: India is a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic.
- British Model: The United Kingdom is a constitutional monarchy with a hereditary monarch.
- Representation of States:
- Indian Model: States are represented in the Rajya Sabha, providing a federal character.
- British Model: No direct representation of regions or constituent countries; the UK has a unitary system.
- Emergency Powers:
- Indian Model: The President can declare a state of emergency under certain conditions.
- British Model: Emergency powers are not vested in the Monarch, and the UK relies on statutory and constitutional conventions.
While both parliamentary models share foundational principles, the differences reflect historical and contextual variations between the two nations. India’s adaptation of the British parliamentary system incorporates features that address its federal structure, diverse population, and socio-political context.
