Parliamentary Government: Westminster Model & PM

India chose the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy to ensure a system of daily executive accountability to the legislature, avoiding the deadlock common in presidential systems.

1. The Prime Minister: Real Executive Head

While the President is the nominal executive (de jure head), the Prime Minister is the real executive (de facto head) of the government. The Prime Minister acts as:

The leader of the majority party in the Lok Sabha.
The head of the Cabinet, presiding over its meetings and selecting/dismissing ministers.
The primary channel of communication between the President and the Cabinet (Article 78).

2. Collective Responsibility (Article 75(3))

Article 75(3) reads: "The Council of Ministers shall be collectively responsible to the House of the People." This represents the cornerstone of parliamentary government:

The Ministry acts as a single team. A decision made in the Cabinet is binding on all ministers; if a minister dissents, they must resign. If the Lok Sabha passes a No-Confidence Motion against the government, the entire Ministry (including Rajya Sabha members) must resign immediately.

3. Individual Responsibility (Article 75(2))

Ministers hold office during the pleasure of the President (Article 75(2)). However, this pleasure is exercised strictly on the advice of the Prime Minister. If a minister acts in an unauthorized manner, the Prime Minister can ask for their resignation or advise the President to dismiss them, protecting the collective cabinet.