Ans: C

Exp:

The Indian Constitution provides for a Parliamentary form of government, both at the centre and in the states. Articles 74 and 75 deal with the parliamentary system at the Centre, and Articles 163 and 164 in the States. Some of the features of Parliamentary Government are as follows- 

• Nominal and Real executives;
• Majority Party rule; 
• Collective responsibility;
• Political homogeneity;
• Double membership-the ministers are members of both the legislature and executive;
• Leadership of the Prime minister; 
• Dissolution of the Lower House; 
• Principle of secrecy of procedure, etc.

Single executives and often lack of political homogeneity are features of the Presidential form of Government.

Reference: Chapter 12, Parliamentary System, Laxmikant.

Ans: B

Exp :

Statement 1 is incorrect: The British system is built on the notion of parliamentary sovereignty. However, in India, Parliament is not supreme and has limited and restricted powers due to a written Constitution, a federal structure, judicial scrutiny, fundamental rights etc.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Shadow Cabinet is a one-of-a-kind institution of the British government system. The opposition party forms it to balance the ruling government and train its members for future ministerial positions. In India, there is no such institution.

Statement 3 is correct: Usually, the members of Parliament alone are appointed as ministers in Britain. However, in India, a person who is not a member of Parliament can also be appointed minister, but for a maximum period of six months.

Reference: Chapter 12, Parliamentary System, Laxmikant.

Ans: D

Exp:

Statement 1 is correct: The parliamentary system guarantees a cordial relationship between the legislative and executive branches of government, which is one of its advantages. The executive is a part of the legislature, and both are interdependent at work. There are consequently fewer opportunities for disagreements and conflicts between the two organs.

Statement 2 is correct: When the government has a sweeping majority in Parliament, the cabinet can become autocratic. Ramsay Muir, the former British Prime Minister, also complained of the ‘dictatorship of the cabinet’. 

Reference: Chapter 12, Parliamentary System, Laxmikant.

Ans: B

Exp

Statement 1 is incorrect: Collective Responsibility is the bedrock principle of parliamentary government. The ministers are collectively responsible to the Parliament in general and to the Lok Sabha in particular (Article 75). They act as a team and swim and sink together. 

Statement 2 is correct: The principle of collective responsibility implies that the Lok Sabha can remove the ministry (i.e., the council of ministers headed by the prime minister) from office by passing a vote of no confidence.

Reference: Chapter 12, Parliamentary System, Laxmikant.

Ans: B

Exp:

Option A is incorrect: In the Presidential system of government, the President is both the head of state and the head of government. In this system, as the head of State, President occupies a ceremonial position, and as the head of government, he leads the executive organ of government. Whereas, in the Parliamentary System, The President is the nominal executive (de jure executive or titular executive) while the Prime Minister is the real executive (de facto executive). Thus, the President is head of the State, while the Prime Minister is head of the government.

Option B is correct: The lower house of Parliament (Lok Sabha) can be dissolved by the President on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. The executive enjoys the right to get the legislature dissolved in a parliamentary system.

Option C is incorrect: Prior to assuming their respective offices, the Prime Minister and his Council of Ministers take the oaths of office and secrecy. The President of India administers the oath to them.

Option D is incorrect: The Parliamentary System is based on the principle of cooperation and coordination between the executive and legislative organs of the government whereas, the Presidential System is based on the separation of powers.

Reference: Chapter 12, Parliamentary System, Laxmikant.