Collective responsibility in a parliamentary system of government refers to the principle that the Council of Ministers, or the Cabinet, is collectively responsible to the legislative body, which in this case is the Lok Sabha in India. This means that the Council of Ministers as a whole is accountable for the actions and decisions made by the government.

The concept of collective responsibility is an essential feature of parliamentary democracy and is designed to ensure the stability and effectiveness of the government. It promotes unity within the Cabinet and ensures that the government functions as a cohesive unit.

Explanation:

The whole cabinet discusses and formulates the policies of the government:
- While it is true that the whole cabinet discusses and formulates the policies of the government, this does not necessarily define collective responsibility. The formulation of policies is a collective effort, but collective responsibility goes beyond just policy-making.

The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha:
- This statement accurately describes the concept of collective responsibility. The Council of Ministers, as a collective body, is accountable to the Lok Sabha. This means that the government must maintain the confidence and support of the majority of the members of the Lok Sabha. If the government loses the support of the Lok Sabha, it may lead to a vote of no confidence and potentially result in the resignation of the government.

The members of the Council of Ministers are individually responsible to the Lok Sabha:
- While individual ministers do have their own areas of responsibility and are answerable to the Lok Sabha for their respective portfolios, collective responsibility means that the entire Council of Ministers is collectively responsible for the overall functioning of the government. Individual ministers cannot distance themselves from the decisions and actions of the government as a whole.

In conclusion, collective responsibility in a parliamentary system of government means that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the legislative body. They are accountable for the decisions and actions of the government as a whole. This principle ensures the stability and effectiveness of the government and promotes unity within the Cabinet.

Collective responsibility means:
Collective responsibility refers to the concept that the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament in India. It is a fundamental principle of parliamentary democracy and ensures accountability and transparency in governance.
Explanation:
The concept of collective responsibility can be understood through the following points:
1. The Council of Ministers: Collective responsibility applies to the Council of Ministers, which consists of the Prime Minister, Cabinet Ministers, and Ministers of State. They are collectively responsible for the decisions and actions of the government.
2. Responsibility to the Lok Sabha: The Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, which means they are accountable to the members of the lower house of Parliament. They have to answer questions, participate in debates, and seek the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
3. Cabinet Decision-making: Collective responsibility implies that the whole cabinet discusses and formulates the policies of the government. Decisions are made collectively, and all ministers are bound by the decision taken by the cabinet.
4. Individual Responsibility: While collective responsibility is upheld, it does not mean that individual ministers are exempt from responsibility. Ministers are also individually responsible for their specific portfolios and actions.
5. Resignation: In case of a major policy disagreement within the cabinet, a minister may choose to resign. This upholds the principle of collective responsibility, as it shows that the decision taken by the cabinet is binding on all ministers.
In conclusion, collective responsibility ensures that the Council of Ministers functions as a cohesive unit, accountable to the Lok Sabha. It promotes collective decision-making and ensures that the government is accountable to the people.