Question 60 from UPSC CSE 2020 - POLITY & GOVERNANC E

Question

A Parliamentary System of Government is one in which

IASCODEX · Accepted Answer

Correct Option: B. the Government is responsible to the Parliament and can be removed by it

Strategy: Focus on what distinguishes a parliamentary system: the executive's responsibility to the legislature. Option B is the only one mentioning that the government can be removed by Parliament, which points directly to collective responsibility and the vote of no confidence. The other options either distract with wrong definitions or describe features of other systems (like direct election or fixed terms).

Key Info: ## Parliamentary System Overview

A parliamentary system of government is characterized by executive accountability to the legislature. This principle, adopted from the British model, means the Cabinet (executive) remains in power only as long as it commands confidence in the elected lower house (Lok Sabha in India).

As per Article 75(3) of the Indian Constitution, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. The Prime Minister and Council of Ministers are drawn from the legislature and remain members of it. The President (or nominal executive) acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers (real executive).

### Key Features

*   Majority party rule
*   Collective ministerial responsibility
*   Fusion rather than separation of legislative and executive branches
*   Possibility of the lower house's dissolution leading to general elections

### Contrast with Presidential System

In contrast, a Presidential System (e.g., USA) features an executive independent of the legislature, which cannot be removed by a vote of no confidence.

IASCODEX · Answer

Option A: all political parties in the Parliament are represented in the Government

IASCODEX · Answer

Option C: the Government is elected by the people and can be removed by them

IASCODEX · Answer

Option D: the Government is chosen by the Parliament but cannot be removed by it before completion of a fixed term