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General Studies 2024 GS Paper II 10 marks 150 words Compulsory Elucidate

GS Paper II — Q3

"The growth of cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy." Elucidate. (Answer…

"The growth of cabinet system has practically resulted in the marginalisation of the parliamentary supremacy." Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words) 10 marks

हिंदी में प्रश्न पढ़ें

"कैबिनेट प्रणाली के विकास के परिणामस्वरूप व्यावहारिक रूप से संसदीय सर्वोच्चता हाशिए पर चली गई है।" स्पष्ट कीजिए। (उत्तर 150 शब्दों में लिखिए)

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Model answer

Written 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.

While Parliament retains legal sovereignty, the evolution of the cabinet system has practically enabled political executive dominance through the Cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO).

Mechanisms of Dominance Executive control over Parliament is primarily secured through strict party discipline enforced by the whip system and the Tenth Schedule (Anti-Defection Law), curtailing independent legislative debate. Furthermore, the proliferation of delegated legislation and frequent recourse to ordinances (Article 123) bypass plenary scrutiny. Simultaneously, power concentration within the PMO weakens both Cabinet collective responsibility (Article 75) and floor accountability.

Persisting Safeguards However, parliamentary supremacy is constrained rather than extinguished. The executive remains bound by constitutional checks, including no-confidence motions, judicial review, and scrutiny through Parliamentary Standing Committees and Joint Parliamentary Committees (e.g., the 2G spectrum JPC).

Ultimately, as Ivor Jennings observed, this dynamic does not eliminate supremacy but operationalises "executive dominance within a parliamentary framework," shifting Parliament's primary role from direct legislation to critical oversight.

What "Elucidate" is asking you to do

Make a stated proposition plain and then prove it with instances. Elucidate stems almost always carry a claim or a named concept, and very often the words “with examples” or “with suitable diagrams” — the illustration is part of the directive, not decoration.

Structure that answers it

Plain-language statement of what the proposition means → the part that is obscure, resolved → first illustration → second illustration → why the proposition holds

Where marks are lost

Adding terminology; elucidate rewards removing it. The commoner loss is a clean explanation with no example, when the stem asked for examples.

All UPSC directive words, compared →

How this answer will be evaluated

Approach

Framework: Principle > Institution or Article > Problem with example > Realistic reform. explain: definition/context > points in order > small example > short close Full marks: Clearly explains the mechanism of cabinet supremacy with specific examples and a balanced conclusion.

Key points expected

  • Define the shift from 'Parliamentary Supremacy' to 'Cabinet Supremacy'.
  • Explain the role of the Prime Minister in controlling the cabinet.
  • Mention the impact of the party whip system on legislative independence.
  • Discuss the role of the executive in controlling the legislative agenda.

Evaluation rubric

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

  1. The answer Explain the mechanism by which the cabinet system has reduced the role of the legislature. 10 marks · 150 words

    explain— definition/context → points in order → small example → short close

    Must cover

    • Define the shift from 'Parliamentary Supremacy' to 'Cabinet Supremacy'.
    • Explain the role of the Prime Minister in controlling the cabinet.
    • Mention the impact of the party whip system on legislative independence.
    • Discuss the role of the executive in controlling the legislative agenda.

    Loses marks

    • Reciting Articles without explaining the practical mechanism.
    • Failing to link the cabinet's power to the marginalization of parliament.
    • Ending without a reform or balanced conclusion.

    Earns more

    • Mention the role of the secretariat in drafting bills.
    • Discuss the decline of the role of the opposition.
    • Mention the role of the President in the legislative process.
    • Discuss the role of the judiciary in checking executive power.

    Extra mark

    • Cite a specific Supreme Court judgment on the scope of the cabinet.
    • Mention a specific 2nd ARC recommendation on parliamentary reform.

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