Unlike the USA which follows a Presidential system, India follows a Parliamentary form of Government at both centres (under Articles 74 and 75) and state (under Articles 163 & 164).  

The Parliamentary form of government is also known as a cabinet government, cabinet system, or responsible government. It is also termed a Prime Ministerial government where the head of political administration is the Prime Minister. Such a system of government is widely followed in Britain, Japan, Canada, India and other countries.

Learn more about this topic for the upcoming UPSC Examination. In this article on the difference between Presidential & Parliamentary Forms of Government, we shall discuss the differences between the two forms of government and a few other details.

Also, from the linked article, study Notes on Ordinance Making Power Of President & Governor in India Ordinance Making Power Of President & Governor in India from the linked article.

Difference between Presidential & Parliamentary Forms of Government (UPSC Polity): Download PDF Here!

Parliamentary form of government

• India is a parliamentary democracy, with the Prime Minister presiding over the government. In this type of parliamentary democracy, the President of the country is the official head of state but only has ceremonial powers.
• A democratically elected parliamentary government is a style of government in which real executive authority is vested in a cabinet comprised of members of the legislature who are individually and collectively responsible to the legislature.
• In a parliamentary system, the legislature holds the executive responsible for the laws and regulations it passes.
• At both the national and state levels, parliamentary government is established under the Indian Constitution.
  The parliamentary system of government in the Union is outlined in Articles 74 and 75.
• The state’s parliamentary system of government is outlined in Articles 163 and 164.
• Other names for the parliamentary form of government include the Westminster model, cabinet government, and responsible governance.
• Its founding principles are transparency, democratic participation, and open discourse.
• In 1935, the Government of India adopted India’s legislative structure as the Parliamentary Form of Government.
• According to Article 75, collective responsibility is the foundation and heart of parliamentary democracy.

Study the Types Of Majority In The Indian Parliament here.

Presidential form of government

• A presidential system is a form of administration in which the head of government is also the head of state and heads a distinct executive branch from the legislative branch.
• The presidential system is used in the United States, for example.
  The presidential system of government has the following advantages:

   

  • The system allows a strong president to achieve all his objectives.
  • The operation of the principles of separation of powers and checks and balances allows branches of government to act as checks on one another thereby preventing abuse of power.
• Only the executive is both the real and the nominal head of the government there.
• The President is the head of state and government in nations like the USA, South Korea, and others.
• According to the provisions of the Presidential form of Government, the executive is not answerable to the legislative for its policies or acts throughout its tenure in office.
• A member of the Constituent Assembly named T. Shah backed the Indian Presidential System.
• But, India went ahead with the Parliamentary System of Government.

Difference Between Presidential and Parliamentary Forms of Government

Have a look at the table below where the comparison of both the forms of Government is given based on various factors.

Learn about the Pardoning Power of The President here.

Demerits of the Presidential System

In the table, some demerits of the Presidential system have been given.

Conclusion

• India’s political unpredictability is caused by several elements, many of which have nothing to do with the country’s political system.
• It is frequently stated that India’s political culture, not its parliamentary system, is to blame for its troubles.
• Elections are more frequently governed by casteism, communalism, and other outmoded standards than by educated decisions based on the demands and requirements of the general populace.
• The main reasons, not the type of government, are public priorities that are poorly set and governmental corruption.
• Changes in popular political culture and a fundamental shift in the political elite class are required instead of changing the system of government.

Check out the Veto Power of President here.

We hope that all your doubts regarding the Difference between Presidential and Parliamentary Forms of Government will be cleared after going through this article. You can download the Testbook App now to check out various other topics relevant to the UPSC IAS Exam.