India’s parliamentary government is substantially modeled after the British parliamentary system. It never did, however, replicate the British system and is different in the following ways:
- India’s republican government replaced the British monarchy. In other words, the Head of the State in Britain (the King or Queen) holds a hereditary status, whereas the Head of the State in India (the President) is elected.
- The British system is built on the notion of the sovereignty of Parliament, however in India, due to a written Constitution, federal structure, judicial review, and fundamental rights, the Parliament is not supreme and has limited and restricted powers.
- The British Prime Minister must be a member of the Parliament’s Lower House (House of Commons). The prime minister of India may belong to either of the two Houses of Parliament.
- In Britain, ministers are typically chosen solely by members of Parliament. An individual who is not a member of Parliament may be appointed as a minister in India, but only for a maximum of six months.
- Unlike India, Britain has a system that recognizes the minister’s legal responsibilities. In India, unlike in Britain, the ministers are not needed to countersign the Head of State’s formal acts.
- The British cabinet system has a special institution known as the “Shadow cabinet.” It is created by the opposition party to counterbalance the current government and train its people for potential ministerial positions. Such a facility does not exist in India.
Key Distinction Between Indian and British Models
The phrases “Indian model” and “British model” can be used to describe various facets of political systems, monetary systems, and social institutions. I’ll list some of the main differences between these approaches in terms of political governance and economic systems below:
Political Management
- Presidential vs. Parliamentary Systems
- Indian Model: India has a parliamentary system of government, in which the Prime Minister is chosen by the party or coalition that holds the majority of seats in Parliament. The ceremonial head of state is India’s President.
- British Model: The United Kingdom similarly uses a parliamentary system, with the monarch (now Queen Elizabeth II) acting as the nominal head of state and the Prime Minister as the head of government.
- Legislature: Bicameral vs. Unicameral
- Indian Model: The Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States) make up India’s bicameral legislature. While Lok Sabha members are directly chosen by the general population, members of the Rajya Sabha represent states and are not.
- British Model: The House of Commons is the name of the unicameral legislature of the UK. The British public directly elects the members of the House of Commons.
- Republic vs. Constitutional Monarchy
- Indian Model: An elected President serves as the head of state of the federal parliamentary democratic republic that is India. The President’s position is mostly ceremonial, and the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers have actual executive authority.
- British Model: The UK is a parliamentary democracy with a constitutional monarchy. The ceremonial head of state is the king, whereas the head of government is the prime minister. The UK relies on a blend of statutes, common law, and traditions instead of having a codified constitution.
Financial Systems
- Capitalist economy versus mixed economy
- Indian Model: India uses a mixed economy that combines aspects of socialism and capitalism. The Indian government is heavily involved in a number of economic sectors, including the public ownership of important enterprises and vast social welfare initiatives.
- British Economic Model: The UK has a largely capitalist economy with a little amount of government involvement in some areas. With a strong emphasis on free-market ideas, the UK has a well-established market economy.
- Economic Reforms and Policies
- Indian Model: Since the early 1990s, India has carried out a number of economic changes, including liberalization, privatization, and globalization (commonly referred to as LPG reforms). These changes intended to lessen government intervention and open up the Indian economy to global investment.
- British Model: Market-oriented economic policies have been practiced in the UK for many years. It has supported free trade and competition while supporting economic liberalization and globalization.
Cultural and Social Aspects
- Multiculturalism and Diversity
- Indian Model: With its wide variety of languages, faiths, and ethnic groups, India is renowned for its cosmopolitan and diversified society. Its federal structure and safeguards for minority rights in its governance approach reflect this variety.
- British Model: Although the UK has a diverse population in terms of culture, it does not have the same federal structure as India because its political system has developed over many years. It has worked to uphold minority rights and advance multiculturalism.
- Historical Setting
- Indian Model: India’s history of colonial control and its fight for independence impacted the country’s governance structure. Adopted in 1950, the Indian Constitution upholds equality, social justice, and democratic principles.
- British Model: Since the 1215 signing of the Magna Carta, the UK has had parliamentary democracy and constitutional monarchy. Its centuries-old governance structure is defined by tradition and slow reform.