GS2 PYQ (Mains Answer Writing): Parliamentary System | Indian Polity for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: "The growth of the cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy." Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words)
Ans: 
Introduction
The cabinet system in India has undergone substantial development, marked by collective responsibility and the Prime Minister’s role as "first among equals." While not explicitly outlined in the Constitution, this system’s growth has, at times, overshadowed the principle of parliamentary supremacy.
Body

• Executive Power Centralisation: The cabinet system consolidates power within the executive, particularly with the Prime Minister and select ministers. For instance, Justice Nagarathna’s 2023 dissent highlighted the unconstitutionality of implementing demonetisation without Parliament’s explicit consent.
• Diminished Parliamentary Oversight: The cabinet’s control over legislative priorities often limits thorough parliamentary scrutiny. The passage of the 2020 Farm Laws without adequate debate exemplifies this trend.
• Use of Ordinances: By leveraging ordinances, the cabinet can circumvent detailed legislative discussions. For example, the 2023 ordinance on administrative control in Delhi was enacted without significant parliamentary deliberation.
• Ineffectiveness of Parliamentary Committees: Despite their critical role, committee recommendations are non-binding, allowing the executive to disregard them. The 16th Lok Sabha referred only 25% of bills to committees, a notable decline from the 71% in the 15th Lok Sabha.

Conclusion
Although the cabinet system has influenced power dynamics, parliamentary supremacy remains enshrined in the Constitution, as seen in mechanisms like no-confidence motions (Article 75). Parliament’s repeal of the farm laws in 2021 underscores its ability to restrain executive overreach, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a balance between effective governance and legislative oversight.

Q2: Compare and contrast the British and Indian approaches to Parliamentary sovereignty. 
Ans: British Parliament vs. Indian Parliament

• Parliamentary Supremacy vs. Constitutional Sovereignty: While Britain adheres to the concept of parliamentary supremacy, where its legislative body holds absolute sovereignty, India follows a system of constitutional sovereignty, placing the Constitution above even the Parliament.
• Monarch's Approval vs. Presidential Powers: In the UK, upon the passage of a bill, the monarch's approval is a mere formality. In contrast, India grants the President the authority to return a bill for reconsideration or withhold assent.
• Prime Ministerial Selection: The UK allows the Prime Minister to be elected solely from the House of Commons, ensuring representation based on the people's choice. In India, the Prime Minister can be chosen from either house, potentially leading to a less accurate representation of the country's electoral preference, especially if selected from the Rajya Sabha.
• Regional Parliament vs. Single Parliament: The existence of a separate Parliament for Scotland within the UK highlights a lack of parliamentary sovereignty. In contrast, India maintains a single Parliament, even when special status existed for Jammu & Kashmir.
• Westminster Model Misconception: While India is often thought to follow the Westminster model, closer examination reveals significant differences, particularly in the context of parliamentary sovereignty.