Which of the following Articles of the Constitution of India, deals with the parliamentary form of government at the Centre?

The correct answer is Article 74 and 75.

Key Points

• Article 74 of the Indian Constitution mandates that there shall be a Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister to aid and advise the President in the exercise of his/her functions.
• Article 75 specifies that the Prime Minister shall be appointed by the President and that the other ministers shall be appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
• These provisions establish the framework of the parliamentary system of government, wherein the executive is responsible to the legislature.
• The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, as per the principles of the parliamentary form of governance.
• The parliamentary system ensures a close relationship between the executive and the legislature, unlike the presidential system.

Additional Information

• Parliamentary System:
  • The parliamentary form of government is characterized by the dual role of the executive, where the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers are part of the legislature.
  • The executive is accountable to the legislature, and the government can be dissolved if it loses the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
• Collective Responsibility:
  • The principle of collective responsibility, enshrined in Article 75, ensures that the entire Council of Ministers stands or falls together in the case of a no-confidence motion.
• Comparison with Presidential System:
  • In contrast to the parliamentary system, the presidential system (e.g., in the USA) separates the executive from the legislature, making them independent of each other.
• Other Relevant Articles:
  • Article 163: Deals with the Council of Ministers at the state level to aid and advise the Governor.
  • Article 164: Specifies the appointment and tenure of ministers in the states.
  • Article 76: Provides for the office of the Attorney General of India.