UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2021

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model? 1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited. 2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the Amendment of an Act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2

Answer

Correct Answer

Both 1 and 2

Explanation

The British Parliament is sovereign, whereas the Indian Parliament's legislative power is limited by the written Constitution, the federal division of powers and judicial review (statement 1). Substantial questions on the Constitution, including the validity of amendments, are decided by a Constitution Bench of at least five judges under Article 145(3) (statement 2). Both statements are correct.

Topics: indian vs british parliamentary model, parliamentary democracy, political system, polity & governance