UK Parliamentary System vs Indian Parliamentary System 2026 – Important Current Affairs MCQs with Answers & Explanations
UK Parliamentary System vs Indian Parliamentary System 2026 – Important Current Affairs MCQs
India and the United Kingdom both follow the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy. In both systems, the executive is drawn from the legislature, there is a nominal Head of State and a real executive headed by the Prime Minister, and the legislature is bicameral.
However, there are important differences between the two systems. The United Kingdom is based on Parliamentary Sovereignty, whereas India follows Constitutional Supremacy. They also differ in the nature of their Constitution, position of the Prime Minister, anti-defection provisions and scope of judicial review.
POINT TO REMEMBER:-
Q1) India and the United Kingdom both follow which model of parliamentary democracy?
A) Presidential Model
B) Westminster Model
C) Swiss Model
D) Directorial Model
Answer:=> B) Westminster Model
Explanation: Both India and the United Kingdom follow the Westminster model of parliamentary democracy, where the executive is drawn from the legislature.
Q2) Which of the following correctly represents the Head of State in the UK and India respectively?
A) President and Prime Minister
B) Prime Minister and President
C) Monarch and President
D) Monarch and Prime Minister
Answer:=> C) Monarch and President
Explanation: Both countries have a nominal Head of State. The Monarch is the Head of State in the United Kingdom, while the President is the Head of State in India.
Q3) Who acts as the real executive in both the Indian and UK parliamentary systems?
A) Head of State
B) Chief Justice
C) Prime Minister
D) Speaker of the Lower House
Answer:=> C) Prime Minister
Explanation: Both systems have a nominal Head of State, while the real executive is headed by the Prime Minister.
Q4) Which of the following is a similarity between the parliamentary systems of India and the United Kingdom?
A) Both have written Constitutions
B) Both have anti-defection laws
C) Both have bicameral legislatures
D) Both follow constitutional supremacy
Answer:=> C) Both have bicameral legislatures
Explanation: Both India and the United Kingdom have a two-house or bicameral Parliament. However, they differ regarding constitutional supremacy and anti-defection legislation.
Q5) In both India and the UK, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to:
A) The Upper House
B) The Judiciary
C) The Lower House
D) The Head of State alone
Answer:=> C) The Lower House
Explanation: In both parliamentary systems, the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the lower house and must retain its confidence.
Q6) Which constitutional principle primarily characterises the United Kingdom?
A) Judicial Supremacy
B) Constitutional Supremacy
C) Parliamentary Sovereignty
D) Presidential Supremacy
Answer:=> C) Parliamentary Sovereignty
Explanation: The United Kingdom follows the principle of Parliamentary Sovereignty, under which Parliament is the supreme law-making authority.
Q7) India differs from the United Kingdom because India is based on the principle of:
A) Parliamentary Sovereignty
B) Constitutional Supremacy
C) Monarchical Supremacy
D) Executive Supremacy
Answer:=> B) Constitutional Supremacy
Explanation: India follows Constitutional Supremacy. Parliament functions within the limits prescribed by the Constitution.
Q8) Consider the following statements:
1. The UK is based on Parliamentary Sovereignty.
2. India is based on Constitutional Supremacy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer:=> C) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: Both statements are correct. Parliament is the supreme law-making authority under the UK's system of Parliamentary Sovereignty, whereas the Indian Parliament operates within the limits of the supreme written Constitution.
Q9) Which of the following best describes the nature of the Constitution of the United Kingdom according to the comparison?
A) Written and rigid
B) Unwritten, based on conventions, statutes and judicial decisions
C) Written and federal
D) Based exclusively on judicial decisions
Answer:=> B) Unwritten, based on conventions, statutes and judicial decisions
Explanation: The UK Constitution is described in the material as unwritten and based on conventions, statutes and judicial decisions, whereas India has a written Constitution.
Q10) Which of the following correctly distinguishes India from the United Kingdom regarding the nature of the Constitution?
A) India has an unwritten Constitution while the UK has a written Constitution.
B) Both have written Constitutions.
C) India has a written Constitution while the UK has an unwritten Constitution.
D) Both have unwritten Constitutions.
Answer:=> C) India has a written Constitution while the UK has an unwritten Constitution.
Explanation: India has a written Constitution which is the supreme law of the land, while the UK constitutional system is based on conventions, statutes and judicial decisions.
Q11) Which statement regarding the Prime Minister in the United Kingdom is correct?
A) The Prime Minister is traditionally a member of the House of Commons.
B) The Prime Minister must be a member of the House of Lords.
C) The Prime Minister is directly elected by the entire population.
D) The Prime Minister cannot be a Member of Parliament.
Answer:=> A) The Prime Minister is traditionally a member of the House of Commons.
Explanation: In the United Kingdom, the Prime Minister is traditionally a member of the House of Commons.
Q12) In India, a person appointed as Prime Minister or Minister who is not a Member of Parliament can continue in office for a maximum period of:
A) 3 months
B) 6 months
C) 9 months
D) 12 months
Answer:=> B) 6 months
Explanation: In India, a Prime Minister or Minister can continue for six months without being a Member of Parliament.
Q13) Consider the following statements regarding anti-defection provisions:
1. The United Kingdom has no anti-defection legislation.
2. India has an Anti-Defection Law regulating party defections.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A) 1 only
B) 2 only
C) Both 1 and 2
D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer:=> C) Both 1 and 2
Explanation: According to the comparison, the United Kingdom does not have anti-defection legislation, whereas India's Anti-Defection Law regulates party defections.
Q14) Which of the following correctly describes judicial review in India and the United Kingdom?
A) Courts in both countries can invalidate Acts of Parliament on constitutional grounds.
B) Courts in neither country can examine legislation.
C) UK courts can invalidate Acts of Parliament, but Indian courts cannot.
D) Indian judiciary can strike down unconstitutional laws, while UK courts cannot invalidate Acts of Parliament on constitutional grounds.
Answer:=> D) Indian judiciary can strike down unconstitutional laws, while UK courts cannot invalidate Acts of Parliament on constitutional grounds.
Explanation: Judicial review is an important distinction. In India, the judiciary can strike down laws that are unconstitutional. In the UK system described in the material, courts cannot invalidate Acts of Parliament on constitutional grounds.
Q15) Consider the following features:
1. Westminster model of parliamentary democracy
2. Bicameral legislature
3. Collective responsibility to the lower house
4. Parliamentary Sovereignty
Which of the above are common features of both India and the United Kingdom?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 2, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer:=> B) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation: Both India and the UK follow the Westminster model, have bicameral legislatures and follow the principle of collective responsibility of the Council of Ministers to the lower house. Parliamentary Sovereignty, however, characterises the UK, while India follows Constitutional Supremacy.
