What is Executive Accountability to Legislature?
Historical Background
Key Points
12 points- 1.
Question Hour allows Members of Parliament (MPs) to ask questions to ministers about government policies and actions. This is a daily event during parliamentary sessions.
- 2.
Zero Hour provides MPs with an opportunity to raise urgent matters of public importance without prior notice. It follows Question Hour.
- 3.
Parliamentary Committees, such as the Public Accounts Committee and the Estimates Committee, scrutinize government spending and policies. These committees play a crucial role in financial accountability.
- 4.
No-Confidence Motion can be moved by the opposition if they believe the government has lost the confidence of the Lok Sabha. If passed, the government must resign.
Recent Real-World Examples
1 examplesIllustrated in 1 real-world examples from Feb 2026 to Feb 2026
Source Topic
Parliamentary Accountability Eroded: PM Skips Reply, Citing Vague Security Concerns
Polity & GovernanceUPSC Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
121. What is Executive Accountability to Legislature and what is its constitutional basis?
Executive Accountability to Legislature means that the executive branch (government) is responsible to the legislative branch (Parliament or state assemblies). It ensures the government's actions are scrutinized and controlled by elected representatives. The constitutional basis lies in articles like Article 75, which deals with the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers.
Exam Tip
Remember Article 75 relates to the collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the Lok Sabha.
2. What are the key provisions that ensure Executive Accountability to Legislature?
Key provisions include Question Hour, Zero Hour, Parliamentary Committees, No-Confidence Motion, and Adjournment Motion. These mechanisms allow the legislature to scrutinize and control the executive's actions.
- •Question Hour: MPs ask questions to ministers.
