In a parliamentary system, to whom the executive is responsible?

Correct option is A

The correct answer is (a) The legislature.
 In a parliamentary system, the executive (which includes the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers) is responsible to the legislature (Parliament).
 This means that the executive is accountable to the elected representatives of the people and must maintain the confidence of the majority in the lower house (Lok Sabha in India).
 If the executive loses the confidence of the legislature, it must resign or seek a dissolution of the legislature for fresh elections.
 This system ensures that the executive's power is checked and balanced by the legislature, promoting democratic governance and preventing autocratic rule.
Important Key Points:
 The parliamentary system ensures the accountability of the executive.
 The executive must maintain the confidence of the legislature.
 Promotes a system of checks and balances.
 Enhances democratic governance.
 Prevents concentration of power in the executive.
 The Prime Minister is the leader of the majority party in the lower house.
Knowledge Booster:
 The people: In a parliamentary system, while the executive is ultimately accountable to the electorate through periodic elections, it is directly accountable to the legislature.
 The judiciary: The judiciary is an independent branch that interprets laws and ensures they are applied fairly, but the executive is not responsible to it in a parliamentary system.
 None of these: This option is incorrect as the executive is directly responsible to the legislature in a parliamentary system.