Question

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 1

Correct Answer - Option 1 : 1 only

The correct answer is 1 only.

• The parliamentary system of government in India is largely based on the British parliamentary system. However, it never became a replica of the British system and differs in the following respects:

Britain	India
British monarchical system	India has a republican system
The British system is based on the doctrine of the sovereignty of Parliament	the Parliament is not supreme in India and enjoys limited and restricted powers due to a written Constitution, the federal system, judicial review and fundamental rights.
In Britain, the prime minister should be a member of the Lower House (House of Commons) of the Parliament	In India, the prime minister may be a member of any of the two Houses of Parliament.
The British system is based on the doctrine of the sovereignty of Parliament	Matters related to the constitutionality of an amendment act can be referred by the SC to its constitutional bench. However, it is not mandatory for the SC to refer the matter to a constitution bench.

• Hence, statement 1 is correct and statement 2 is incorrect.