To what extent, in your view, the Parliament is able to ensure accountability of the executive in India? (Answer in 150 words)

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आपकी दृष्टि में, भारत में कार्यपालिका की जवाबदेही को निश्चित करने में संसद कहाँ तक समर्थ है? (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में दीजिए)

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Model answer

Drafted with AI by UPSC Answer Check against this question's marking rubric, to the 150-word length. UPSC does not publish answers for Mains — this is one way to score well, not an official key. How we build rubrics and answers.

Parliament's accountability tools rest on Article 75(3) (collective responsibility) and rules under Article 118. Question Hour, Zero Hour, Calling Attention and short-duration discussions make ministers explain policy; the PAC, Estimates Committee and department-related standing committees (DRSCs) scrutinise spending and policy; and no-confidence motions remain the ultimate check.

Effectiveness is constrained. The Tenth Schedule limits independent voting, disruptions consume time, research support is thin, majority governments dominate and ordinances bypass scrutiny. Referral of bills to committees fell from about 71% in the 15th Lok Sabha to about 16% in the 17th (PRS).

Parliament can therefore question and expose the executive but only partly control it; protected dissent, independent research support and routine committee referral would strengthen it.

How this answer will be evaluated

Framework: GS2 Paper 2: Governance & Constitutional Mechanisms

What earns full marks: Analytical, cites specific mechanisms, identifies bottlenecks, offers realistic reform.

Evaluation rubric

Each sub-part is marked on its own, against the marks and word limit printed on the paper.

The answer Assess the effectiveness of Parliament's oversight mechanisms over the executive. 10 marks · 150 words

evaluate— criteria → evidence → balanced judgment
Must cover
- Cite constitutional basis (Art 75(3) collective responsibility, Art 118 rules) and tools (Question Hour, motions, committees)
- Identify structural bottlenecks (e.g., majority dominance, time limits)
- Provide a concrete example of oversight failure or success
- Conclude with a realistic reform or institutional strengthening
Loses marks
- Reciting Articles without explaining their practical application
- Adopting an activist tone rather than analytical
- Ending without a reform or way forward
Earns more
- Mention role of Parliamentary Committees (Estimates, Public Accounts)
- Reference the concept of 'Collective Responsibility' (Art. 75)
- Discuss the impact of the 'No Confidence Motion' mechanism
- Mention the role of the Opposition in ensuring accountability
Extra mark
- Cite 2nd ARC recommendations on parliamentary reform
- Reference a specific Supreme Court judgment on executive accountability

What "Evaluate" is asking you to do

Judge how well something has performed against the standard it set for itself — its stated aim, mandate or promise — and commit to a verdict. Name the yardstick before you judge; an unanchored judgement reads as opinion.

Structure that answers it

Name the yardstick — stated aim, mandate or benchmark → performance against it → shortfall against it → why the gap exists → verdict

Where marks are lost

Presenting both sides and then declining to decide, or delivering a verdict against a standard you never stated, which makes it look arbitrary.

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Model answer

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Evaluation rubric

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