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Collective Responsibility - Indian Parliament - Indian Polity Notes

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Patil Amruta Mar 30, 2023

UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Prelims
Collective responsibility is the convention under which individual members of government are held
2024 Mock Test Series
accountable for the acts and decisions of the government as a whole. Individual members of the government
are held accountable for the acts and decisions of the government as a whole under the concept of collective
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responsibility. Article 75(3) deals with Collective Responsibility at the Centre, while Article 164(3) deals with
state governments. This article explains the Collective Responsibility which is important for UPSC Indian
Polity Preparation.

Table of Contents Quizzes

1. Collective Responsibility
2. Constitutional Provisions Daily Quiz: UPSC CSE (IAS): National
3. Benefits Movement (1905-1919) - II
4. Drawbacks 10 Min 10 Ques 20 Marks
5. Conclusion
43 Attempted
6. FAQs
7. MCQs Start Download

5 Oct Daily CA Quiz for UPSC & State

PSCs
8 Min 5 Ques 5 Marks

106 Attempted

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What is Collective Responsibility?
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Collective responsibility refers to a constitutional convention in parliamentary systems that requires cabinet
members to openly support all governmental decisions taken in Cabinet, even if they do not agree with
them privately.
It has long been a guiding precept of India's parliamentary government.
Full Test
Collective responsibility implies that council ministers can make decisions for their own departments.
It also implies that they are held accountable to the parliament in the event of any repercussions.
The Principle of Collective Responsibility is the cornerstone of the Parliamentary form of government. UPSC Civil Services Prelims CSAT Full
Collective accountability is seen as a factor that ensures that central government ministers are held Test 5
accountable for the repercussions of their actions and charges.
120 Min 80 Ques 200 Marks
The crucial articles that guarantee ministers have individual decision-making ability are Article 75 (3) and
3 Attempted English, Hindi
Article 164 (3).
There are two basic components to collective responsibility.
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The first is the notion that ministers should be able to conduct open and honest conversations before
reaching a consensus, and that these deliberations should be kept private.
Second, once a cabinet position has been agreed upon, all ministers are required to follow it and vote
with the government, or resign from their positions. UPSC Civil Services Prelims CSAT Full
Test 4
120 Min 80 Ques 200 Marks
Other Relevant Links
3 Attempted English, Hindi
Features of Parliamentary Government Political Homogeneity
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Separation of Powers Unicameral and Bicameral legislature

Constitutional Provisions
Article 75 deals with the President appointing the Prime Minister, and the President appoints other Previous Year Paper
ministers on the suggestion of the Prime Minister.
Ministers are appointed by the President for the duration of his or her term in office.
Article 75(3) in the Constitution of India implies the Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible UPSC CSE 2023 (Prelims Paper-1:
to the House of the People General Studies) Previous Year Paper…
According to Article 164 (3) of the Constitution, "before a Minister embarks upon his office, the Governor 120 Min 100 Ques 200 Marks
shall administer to him the oaths of office and of secrecy in the forms set down in the Third Schedule."
379 Attempted

Benefits of Collective Responsibility

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The concept provides for persons affiliated with the government or the organisation to be held responsible
for the choices or acts done by that government or organisation as a whole.
It will avoid contradictions between the Cabinet and the Council of Ministers.
 It benefits the party and political loyalty of the Prime Minister. UPSC CSE 2022 (Prelims Paper-1:
Help in making policy decisions and passing legislation quicker. General Studies) Previous Year Paper…
It is a consensus-building mechanism among the ministers.
120 Min 100 Ques 200 Marks
Every Minister can be held accountable both for his individual decisions as well as the government
decisions. 792 Attempted

Drawbacks of Collective Responsibility Start Download

It curbs inner part democracy as the cabinet ministers have to openly agree with the Prime Minister's
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decision.
Individual ministers' initiatives are curbed giving way to party initiatives.
Matters needing urgent attention may be delayed due to the issue of collective responsibility. Also Check

Collective Responsibility IAS Exam Overview

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Conclusion IAS Exam Foundation Course 2024

The concept of collective responsibility may be considered crucial to the functioning of the Parliamentary
Government, as the Cabinet's principal power lies in its unity. The idea of collective responsibility states that IAS Exam Apply Online
the Council of Ministers is responsible for the overall management of the government's operations as a body. In
Parliament, all ministers stand or fall together, and the government functions as a single entity.
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Indian Polity UPSC Notes Parliamentary System

Federal System Center-state Relations

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Inter-State Relations Emergency Provisions

Indian Parliament State Legislature

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FAQs IAS Exam News

Question: What is the cabinet’s collective responsibility? ➕
Question: What are the two basic components to collective responsibility? ➕
Question: What are the benefits of collective responsibility? ➕
Question: What is Article 75? ➕
Question: What is Article 164? ➕
Question: What is a parliamentary government? ➕
UPSC Mains Practice Questions:
1. Parliament’s power to amend the constitution is limited and it cannot be enlarged into absolute power”.
In the light of this statement, explain whether parliament under article 368 of the constitution can
destroy the basic structure of the constitution by expanding its amending power? [UPSC 2019]
2. What is Parliamentary Democracy? How does the Indian Parliament exercise control over the Union? Can
the Parliament have any control over the State Executives/Assess Standing Committees of the
Parliament in the exercise? [UPSC 1981]

MCQs
Question: Out of the following statements, choose the one that brings out the principle underlying the
Cabinet form of Government:
(a) An arrangement for minimizing the criticism against the Government whose responsibilities are complex
and hard to carry out to the satisfaction of all.

(b) A mechanism for speeding up the activities of the Government whose responsibilities are increasing day by
day.

(c) A mechanism of parliamentary democracy for ensuring collective responsibility of the Government to the
people.

(d) A device for strengthening the hands of the head of the Government

Answer: (c) See the Explanation ➕

Question: Consider the following statements:

1. Article 75 states that the council of ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha
2. The principle of collective responsibility also means that the Cabinet decisions bind all cabinet ministers.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) See the Explanation ➕

Other Relevant Links

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Art and Culture Notes Governance Notes

Ancient India History Notes Medieval India History Notes

Modern India History Notes Geography Notes

Science And Technology Notes Environment And Ecology Notes

Post Independence Notes Society Notes

Internal Security Notes Ethics Notes

Disaster Management Notes World History

International Relations Social Justice Notes

CSAT Notes Government Scheme Notes

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official
website of the exam.

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