1. What is India's Parliamentary System?
India follows a parliamentary system of government in which the executive is connected to, and accountable to, the legislature.
After Independence, the Constitution established a democratic system based on universal adult franchise. People directly elect representatives to the Lok Sabha. The group that commands a majority in the Lok Sabha forms the government.
Why “parliamentary”?
The government functions through Parliament. The legislature makes laws and scrutinises the work of the executive, while the executive implements laws and policies and provides information and explanations to Parliament.
Sources of India's parliamentary tradition
The chapter notes that Britain's parliamentary system influenced India, but India's system also reflects the experience of the freedom movement, familiarity with colonial legislative institutions, memories of ancient republics (mahājanapadas) and traditions of village panchayats where people made collective decisions.
2. Parliament of India
The Parliament of India is the country's supreme legislative body. It consists of the President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Constitutional component of Parliament and part of the lawmaking process.
House of the People; members are directly elected by citizens.
Council of States; members are elected indirectly, with specified nominated members.
Important constitutional functions
- Enabling parliamentary democracy through universal adult suffrage.
- Working within the constitutional distribution of powers among legislature, executive and judiciary.
- Supporting federalism.
- Upholding Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles through laws and policies.
- Participating in the election of the President and Vice President.
- Amending the Constitution according to the constitutional procedure.
The chapter notes that there have been 17 Lok Sabhas since the first one in 1952 and that the 18th Lok Sabha was constituted in June 2024.
3. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
| Feature | Lok Sabha | Rajya Sabha |
|---|---|---|
| Name | House of the People | Council of States |
| Election | Directly elected by citizens | Mostly indirectly elected by elected MLAs; specified members are nominated |
| Representation | Represents the people through territorial constituencies | Represents states and union territories |
| Nature | Can be dissolved | Permanent House; not dissolved |
| Presiding officer | Speaker | Vice President of India as Chairperson |
| Special financial role | Money/financial matters give it a distinctive role | Has important legislative and reviewing functions but does not have the same role in Money Bills |
Lok Sabha
People directly elect Members of Parliament (MPs). The House represents citizens through territorial constituencies. Its members participate in lawmaking, debate, financial control and scrutiny of the executive.
Rajya Sabha
Rajya Sabha provides representation to states and union territories. The chapter connects its creation with the federal character of India and the need for a second House to consider legislation from a wider perspective.
4. Why Does India Have Two Houses?
During constitution-making, there was extensive discussion about whether India should have a bicameral legislature. The Constitution makers concluded that a single directly elected House would not be sufficient for independent India's needs.
Rajya Sabha gives states a voice in the national legislature.
A second House can examine legislation from another perspective.
Rajya Sabha is permanent and does not dissolve with Lok Sabha.
Bicameralism balances popular representation with representation of states.
Federalism means that powers are distributed among the Union, states and, in India, local governments. The chapter presents federalism as helping balance national unity with local interests.
5. Presiding Officers
Lok Sabha Speaker
Members of the Lok Sabha elect a Speaker. The Speaker conducts sessions, allows members to speak, maintains discipline and ensures that parliamentary rules are followed.
Rajya Sabha Chairperson
The Vice President of India is the ex-officio Chairperson of the Rajya Sabha. The Chairperson presides over proceedings and helps maintain order.
6. Legislative Functions of Parliament
The chapter broadly classifies Parliament's functions into:
Constitutional amendments and specified elections/functions.
Discussing, debating and passing laws.
Questioning and scrutinising the government.
Approving government expenditure and overseeing public finances.
Members raise concerns and issues affecting citizens.
Parliament provides a forum for debate and discussion.
7. Lawmaking — How a Bill Becomes a Law
A proposed law is generally introduced as a Bill. The Constitution provides an elaborate process intended to allow discussion and scrutiny.
Role of Parliamentary Committees
Committees allow Parliament to examine subjects and proposed legislation in greater detail. The chapter stresses that committees help Parliament scrutinise the work of government and legislation.
Example — Right to Education Act
The chapter discusses the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 as an example of Parliament making a law. It notes that education is in the Concurrent List and therefore both Union and State governments have roles in the subject.
President's role
A Bill passed through Parliament is presented to the President. Once the constitutional requirements are completed and the President gives assent, it becomes an Act.
8. Executive Accountability
Parliament does not merely make laws. It also keeps a check on the executive.
How does Parliament hold the executive accountable?
- Members ask questions and seek explanations.
- Ministers provide information about government decisions and actions.
- Parliament debates government policies and programmes.
- Parliamentary committees examine government functioning.
- The government must retain the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
Ministerial responsibility
In a parliamentary system, the Council of Ministers is responsible to the Lok Sabha. The government must therefore maintain the support of the House in order to continue in office.
9. Financial Accountability
Parliament exercises control over government finances. Government expenditure requires parliamentary authorisation through the constitutional budget process.
The government presents its financial plans and estimates to Parliament.
Parliament considers and authorises government expenditure.
Parliament can examine how public money is used.
Parliamentary committees can scrutinise financial matters in detail.
Why financial control matters
Taxpayers' money belongs to the public. Parliamentary financial accountability creates a mechanism through which elected representatives examine and authorise the government's use of public funds.
10. The Executive
The Executive is the branch responsible for implementing laws and running the day-to-day administration of government.
| Component | Role in the chapter |
|---|---|
| President | Constitutional head of the Union Executive. |
| Vice President | Part of the Union Executive and Chairperson of Rajya Sabha. |
| Prime Minister | Head of the Council of Ministers and central political leader of the government. |
| Council of Ministers | Assists and advises the President; ministers head government departments. |
| Permanent executive | Civil servants who provide continuity and implement government decisions. |
Political and permanent executive
Elected/appointed political leadership such as the Prime Minister and ministers. Their tenure is connected to political government.
Civil servants who remain in administration across changes of elected governments and provide expertise and continuity.
Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers. Ministers manage different departments and assist in developing and implementing government policies.
11. Checks and Balances
India's Constitution distributes governmental powers rather than placing all authority in a single institution. The chapter introduces the idea of checks and balances among the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
makes laws↔Executive
implements laws↔Judiciary
interprets law
Judicial review
The chapter asks students to consider how the Judiciary can review laws and how implementation of laws can be questioned. It notes that the detailed study of the Judiciary will come in a later chapter.
Why checks matter
- They reduce the concentration of power.
- They support constitutional government.
- They provide mechanisms for accountability.
- They help protect constitutional principles and citizens' rights.
12. Legislature and Executive at the State Level
India has a parallel structure at the Union and state levels. States have their own legislature and executive.
| Union | State |
|---|---|
| Parliament | State Legislature / State Assembly |
| Members of Parliament (MPs) | Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs) |
| Prime Minister and Council of Ministers | Chief Minister and Council of Ministers |
| President | Governor |
| Union subjects + shared subjects | State subjects + shared subjects |
State Legislature
MLAs formulate laws on subjects in the State List and, along with Parliament, on subjects in the Concurrent List.
Some states have a unicameral legislature with one House, while some have a bicameral legislature with a Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council.
13. Union List, State List and Concurrent List
The Constitution divides legislative subjects among the Union and states.
| List | Who can legislate? | Basic idea |
|---|---|---|
| Union List | Union Parliament | Subjects on which the Union has primary legislative authority. |
| State List | State legislatures | Subjects primarily handled by states. |
| Concurrent List | Both Union and State legislatures | Subjects requiring shared responsibility and coordination. |
Concurrent List example
The chapter uses education as an example of a Concurrent List subject. The Right to Education Act therefore applies across India even though education requires participation by both levels of government.
Why division of subjects matters
Federalism requires coordination. Some subjects are best handled nationally, others locally, while certain areas require both levels to work together.
14. Legislature vs Executive
| Aspect | Legislature | Executive |
|---|---|---|
| Composition at Union | President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha | President, Vice President and Council of Ministers headed by Prime Minister |
| Main role | Makes laws and oversees executive work | Implements laws and runs administration |
| Bills | Considers and passes legislation | Most government Bills are introduced by the Executive |
| Accountability | Questions and seeks explanations from government | Provides information and explanations |
| Finance | Sanctions government-related expenditure | Prepares and implements the budget approved by Parliament |
| Committees | Uses committees for detailed scrutiny | May provide information and consult committees as required |
15. Challenges to Effective Legislatures
The chapter asks students to reflect on issues that can affect the functioning of legislatures.
Frequent interruptions can reduce time available for debate.
Representatives need to participate consistently in legislative work.
Complex laws require informed and constructive discussion.
Detailed scrutiny is important for effective legislation.
Parliament must effectively question government decisions.
Legislators must bring citizens' concerns into the legislative process.
The chapter's broader message is that democratic institutions work best when elected representatives participate actively, debate constructively and use constitutional mechanisms responsibly.
16. Important Timeline & Milestones
17. Quick Revision — One Page
- India follows a parliamentary system of government.
- People directly elect Lok Sabha representatives.
- The majority group in Lok Sabha forms the government.
- Parliament consists of the President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
- Lok Sabha is the House of the People; Rajya Sabha is the Council of States.
- Rajya Sabha represents states and union territories and is a permanent House.
- The Speaker presides over Lok Sabha; the Vice President is Chairperson of Rajya Sabha.
- Parliament's broad functions include constitutional functions, lawmaking, executive accountability and financial accountability.
- A Bill is a proposed law; after completing the constitutional process and receiving assent, it becomes an Act.
- Parliamentary committees help examine Bills and government work in detail.
- The executive implements laws and manages day-to-day administration.
- The Prime Minister heads the Council of Ministers.
- Political executives provide political leadership; permanent executives/civil servants provide continuity and administration.
- The executive is accountable to the legislature in a parliamentary system.
- Checks and balances distribute power among Legislature, Executive and Judiciary.
- States have their own legislatures and executives.
- MLAs make laws on State List and Concurrent List subjects within constitutional limits.
- Union List, State List and Concurrent List distribute legislative responsibilities.
- Education is given as a Concurrent List example in the chapter.
- India's system combines national unity with federal representation.
- Effective legislatures require participation, debate, scrutiny and accountability.
18. NCERT-Style Practice
Q1. What is a parliamentary system?
Explain that the executive derives its political authority from the legislature and remains accountable to elected representatives, while the legislature makes laws and scrutinises government.
Q2. Why does India have two Houses of Parliament?
Discuss federalism, representation of states, review of legislation, continuity and the constitutional need for a second House.
Q3. What are the four broad legislative functions of Parliament?
Constitutional functions, lawmaking, executive accountability and financial accountability.
Q4. Differentiate between a Bill and an Act.
A Bill is a proposed law under consideration. After the required parliamentary and constitutional process and presidential assent, it becomes an Act.
Q5. How does Parliament keep the Executive accountable?
Through questions, explanations, debates, committees, financial control and the requirement that the government retain the confidence of the Lok Sabha.
Q6. What is the difference between political and permanent executives?
Political executives are political leaders such as the Prime Minister and ministers. Permanent executives are civil servants who provide continuity and administrative expertise.
Q7. Explain the three legislative lists.
Union List — Union legislation; State List — state legislation; Concurrent List — both levels can legislate, requiring coordination.
Q8. What are checks and balances?
Constitutional arrangements through which the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary exercise distinct functions while checking and limiting excessive concentration of power.
19. Interactive Quiz — 30 Questions
Choose one answer for each question, then click Check Score.
Key Terms
System in which the executive is connected to and accountable to the legislature.
Body responsible primarily for making laws and scrutinising government.
Branch responsible for implementing laws and administering government.
President + Lok Sabha + Rajya Sabha.
Legislature with two Houses.
Distribution of powers among Union, states and local governments.
Proposed legislation under consideration.
Law after completion of the constitutional process.
Prime Minister and ministers providing political leadership.
Civil servants providing continuity and administration.
Subjects on which the Union has primary legislative authority.
Subjects on which Union and State legislatures can both legislate.
Source basis: NCERT, Exploring Society: India and Beyond, Grade 8 Part 1, Chapter 6 “The Parliamentary System: Legislature and Executive”, Reprint 2026–27. The page is a study-friendly paraphrase and organisation of the textbook's material and preserves its terminology and framing.