Question 4 from UPSC CSE 2017 - Polity and
Governance

Question

The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that

Accepted Answer

Correct Option: C. the executive remains responsible to the legislature.

Strategy: The strategy is to identify the defining feature of a parliamentary system: the executive's collective responsibility to the legislature. This involves:
- Eliminating options that describe presidential systems, such as executive independence or continuity.
- Dismissing options that misrepresent the process for changing the head of government.

Key Info: A parliamentary system is defined by the executive's collective responsibility to the legislature.

**Key Features:**
- The executive, typically a Prime Minister and their Council of Ministers, is accountable to the legislature (Parliament).
- The government stays in power only while it maintains the confidence of the lower house.
- A Prime Minister can be removed through a vote of no-confidence, which does not require a general election.

**Contrast with Presidential Systems:**
Presidential systems feature a separation of powers, where the executive operates independently of the legislature.

**Examples:**
- The Indian Constitution (Articles 74 and 75) codifies the collective responsibility of ministers to the Lok Sabha.
- The British model is a classic example, ensuring executive accountability to the elected representatives.

Answer

Option A: the executive and legislature work independently.

Answer

Option B: it provides continuity of policy and is more efficient.

Answer

Option D: the head of the government cannot be changed without election.