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The main advantage of the parliamentary form of government is that
Explanation
The correct answer is option C because the parliamentary system of government is the one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature for its policies and acts[1]. The greatest advantage of the parliamentary system is that it ensures harmonious relationship and cooperation between the legislative and executive organs of the government. The executive is a part of the legislature and both are interdependent at work[2]. The ministers are collectively responsible to the Parliament in general and to the Lok Sabha in particular. This means that they continue in office so long as they enjoy the confidence of the majority members in the Lok Sabha[3].
Option A is incorrect because the parliamentary system is based on the principle of cooperation and coordination between the legislative and executive organs[4], not independence. Option B is incorrect because the parliamentary system does not provide a stable government. There is no guarantee that a government can survive its tenure. The parliamentary system is not conducive for the formulation and implementation of long-term policies[5]. Option D is incorrect because in case the ruling party loses its majority, the Head of the State can invite the opposition party to form the government. This means an alternative government can be formed without fresh elections[6].
Sources- [1] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > CHAPle > p. 131
- [2] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > MERITS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM > p. 132
- [3] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 23: Parliament > fil l E~ecutive Powers and Functions > p. 257
- [4] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > El l Parliamentary form of Government > p. 29
- [5] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > DEMERITS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM > p. 132
- [6] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 13: Parliamentary System > MERITS OF THE PARLIAMENTARY SYSTEM > p. 132
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a foundational 'Sitter' directly from Laxmikanth Ch-13 and NCERT Class XI. It tests the core philosophical trade-off of the Indian Constitution: Accountability over Stability. If you missed this, you aren't reading the 'Introduction' paragraphs of standard chapters.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Explicitly states ministers are recruited from parliament, tying the executive to the legislature.
- Describes the cabinet as an "executive committee of the legislature" that is "always responsible to the parliamentary majority", indicating closeness and lack of independence.
- Contrasts the presidential system's "clear separation of power between the executive (president) and the legislature" with European parliamentarianism.
- By drawing this contrast, implies that parliamentary systems do not feature the same independence between executive and legislature.
- States that a "prime minister responsible to parliament" indicates the executive (prime minister) is accountable to the legislature.
- This responsibility implies a lack of institutional independence between executive and legislature in parliamentary-style arrangements.
States the executive is part of the legislature and both are interdependent, indicating lack of independence between the two organs.
A student could compare this rule to constitutions or practices of specific countries to see whether ministers are drawn from the legislature to test independence.
Contrasts parliamentary (based on cooperation/coordination) with presidential (based on separation of powers), giving a general rule about relations between executive and legislature.
One could use this rule to classify a given country's system by checking for constitutional clauses creating ministerial responsibility to the legislature.
Defines parliamentary government as one in which the executive is responsible to the legislature—implying dependence rather than independence.
A student might inspect whether the executive can remain in office without legislative confidence in a given country to evaluate independence.
Explicitly states there is a fusion of powers in the parliamentary system and that legislature and executive are 'together and inseparable.'
Use this pattern to check if the cabinet leads both legislature and executive in practice (e.g., prime ministerial leadership) to infer non‑independence.
Says in a parliamentary system executive and legislature are interdependent: the legislature controls the executive and is in turn controlled by it, describing mutual dependence.
A student could examine institutional mechanisms listed (e.g., no-confidence motions, ministerial accountability) in a country's practice to assess independence.
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