Topic Details (Notes format)

Collective Responsibility and Individual Responsibility

Subject: Polity

Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Under the parliamentary system, Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha—if a no-confidence motion passes, all resign. Ministers also have individual responsibility for their departmental actions. This ensures cohesive policy and accountability. Collective responsibility fosters unity, preventing contradictory statements or fragmentation within the cabinet. Meanwhile, a minister must step down if found guilty of malfeasance or unable to defend ministry’s failures. The concept anchors discipline and trust in executive-legislative relations, though coalition governments sometimes dilute unified stands. Mastery of these twin doctrines is key to grasping how ministers share governance burdens while retaining personal accountability.

Practice Questions

Which of the following is a Fundamental Duty under the Indian Constitution?

आपातकाल की घोषणा के लिए केंद्रीय सरकार को अतिरिक्त शक्तियाँ किस अनुच्छेद द्वारा दी जाती हैं?

Who was the first woman Speaker of the Lok Sabha?

लोकसभा के सदस्यों के लिए न्यूनतम आयु क्या है?

What is the minimum age required to become the President of India?

अभियोजक की नियुक्ति किस प्रावधान के तहत होती है?

राष्ट्रपति के आपातकालिक शक्तियाँ किस अनुच्छेद के तहत निर्धारित हैं?

Who appoints the members of the Election Commission of India?

भारतीय संसद में सर्वोच्च विधायी प्राधिकारी कौन है?

भारतीय संविधान में नागरिकों के मौलिक अधिकार किस दस्तावेज़ में वर्णित हैं?