🧷 Authentic Classroom Explanation by IAS Monk

📍 The Question:

We adopted parliamentary democracy based on the British model, but how does our model differ from that model?

1. As regards legislation, the British Parliament is supreme or sovereign but in India, the power of the Parliament to legislate is limited.
2. In India, matters related to the constitutionality of the amendment of an Act of the Parliament are referred to the Constitution Bench by the Supreme Court.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

✅ Correct Answer: (c)

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🔎 Curiosity Raiser (UPSC core theme)

UPSC is testing whether you grasp the foundational philosophical difference between:

• Parliamentary Sovereignty (UK) and
• Constitutional Supremacy (India).

This is not about procedures, but about who is supreme.

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🧠 Core Concept Tested

Parliamentary Sovereignty vs Constitutional Supremacy and role of Judiciary

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🔍 Classroom Explanation (UPSC Prelims Focused)

Statement 1 ✅

• The British system is based on Parliamentary Sovereignty:
  • Parliament can make or repeal any law.
  • No authority can question the validity of its laws.
• India follows Constitutional Supremacy:
  • Parliament’s legislative power is limited by the Constitution.
  • Laws violating the Constitution can be struck down by courts.

👉 Statement 1 is correct.

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Statement 2 ✅

• In India, issues involving substantial questions of constitutional interpretation are heard by a Constitution Bench.
• Article 145(3) mandates that such cases be decided by at least five judges.
• The Chief Justice of India constitutes the Constitution Bench and refers cases to it.
• This judicial review of parliamentary laws and amendments has no parallel in the UK system.

👉 Statement 2 is correct.

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❌ Why the final answer is (c)

• Both statements correctly highlight how India’s parliamentary democracy differs from Britain’s.
• Hence, option (c) is correct.

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📘 Enrich Notes (Prelims Value Add)

• UK Model → Parliamentary Sovereignty, no written constitution, no judicial review
• Indian Model → Written Constitution, limited Parliament, judicial review
• Article 145(3) → Constitution Bench for substantial constitutional questions
• Basic Structure Doctrine → Further limits Parliament’s amending power

📌 Prelims Recall Line
Britain trusts Parliament absolutely; India trusts the Constitution ultimately.

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🧘‍♂️ IAS Monk Whisper

In Britain, Parliament is supreme;
in India, even Parliament bows to the Constitution.