The Indian parliamentary system is a form of government that draws its inspiration from the British parliamentary system.
1. Constitutional Framework:
- The Indian parliamentary system is established by the Constitution of India, adopted in 1950. It provides for a federal structure with a strong unitary bias.
2. Head of State and Head of Government:
- The President of India is the ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister is the head of government. The President’s role is largely symbolic, and executive powers are exercised by the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers.
3. Bicameral Legislature:
- The Indian Parliament consists of two houses: the Lok Sabha (House of the People) and the Rajya Sabha (Council of States). Members of the Lok Sabha are directly elected by the people, while members of the Rajya Sabha are elected by the elected members of the State Legislative Assemblies.
4. Executive:
- The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha and is appointed by the President. The Council of Ministers, including Cabinet Ministers, is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha.
5. Legislative Process:
- Laws are enacted through the legislative process, involving both houses of Parliament. The Lok Sabha has more significant legislative powers, and money bills must originate in this house.
6. Responsible Government:
- The principle of responsible government holds the executive accountable to the legislature. The Council of Ministers must enjoy the confidence of the Lok Sabha to stay in power.
7. Role of the President:
- The President’s role is largely ceremonial, involving the appointment of the Prime Minister and the summoning and proroguing of Parliament. The President gives assent to bills for their enactment into law.
8. Federal Structure:
- While India has a federal structure, the powers of the states are derived from the Constitution and can be altered by the central government. The Governor, appointed by the President, represents the central government at the state level.
9. Judicial Independence:
- The judiciary is independent, with the Supreme Court as the highest court of appeal. It has the authority to interpret the Constitution and adjudicate disputes between the central and state governments.
10. Elections: – General elections for the Lok Sabha are held every five years, and state legislative assembly elections are also held at least every five years. The President is elected by an electoral college.
11. Political Pluralism: – India has a multi-party system, reflecting its diverse cultural, linguistic, and regional characteristics. Coalition governments are common due to the diversity of political parties.
12. Federal Councils: – In addition to the central government and state governments, there are special federal councils for coordinating policies on specific subjects, such as the Inter-State Council.
The Indian parliamentary system combines elements of both the British parliamentary system and federal features to accommodate the diverse nature of the country. It emphasizes democratic principles, responsible government, and the separation of powers between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.
