India
Oversight
Data on parliament’s oversight role and activities
Oversight tools
Parliament has the power to summon members of the government
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha, 15th ed, 2014; Directions by the Speaker, Lok Sabha, 8th ed. 2014; Rule 269 (1), Direction 59 (1): Rule 270 and Direction 60 (1); Practice and Procedure of Parliament, 6th ed., pp 291, 79-795
Parliament has the power to summon senior government officials
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Rule 269, Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha
Parliament has the power to approve key government appointments
Key government appointments include, for example, ambassadors or the head of the central bank.
Approximate number of government appointments subject to parliamentary approval
0
Number of written questions asked, per year
13,000 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Number of written questions answered by the government, per year
12,987 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Notes
Figures also include questions answered orally by the government.
Parliament has power to carry out inquiries
Yes
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Kaul & Shakdher, "Practice and Procedure of Parliament" page 772 §2.
Number of parliamentary inquiries, per year
0 (2022)
See historical data for this field.
Head of State and/or Government
Head of State and/or Government
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of Government
Some parliaments elect the Head of Government or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Other (please specify)
Notes
After declaration of the results of General Elections, the President of India calls upon the leader of the party/ coalition that has secured the majority of seats in the House of the People (Lok Sabha) to form the Government. The leader of the party/coalition is appointed by the President as the Prime Minister (Head of the Government). The other Ministers of the Government are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Article 75(1)
The Head of Government is also the Head of State
No
Parliament’s role
Parliament’s role in the designation of the Head of State
Some parliaments designate the Head of State or approve the nomination for the Head of Government. Others do not play a role.
Parliament elects the Head of State
Notes
The executive powers of the Union is vested in the President (Head of the State).
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, art. 53
Impeachment and confidence motions
Procedure for parliament
There is a procedure for parliament to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution
There is a procedure to dismiss or impeach the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; The Head of State; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
Individual members of the Executive
Other (please specify)
Notes
The Vice-President of India (there is also a procedure for Parliament to dismiss certain senior officials, including the President and Vice-President of Lok Sabha, Supreme Court judges, Comptroller and Auditor General, The judges of the High Courts of States, Chief Electoral Commissioner).
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Article 75 (3), 67(b), 90(c), 124(4), 148(1), 179(c), 183(c), 217(b), 243K(2)
Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in the dismissal or impeachment: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Impeachment Role
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution
There is a procedure for parliament to express no confidence in the following persons/institution: Not applicable (there is no procedure); The whole Government; The Head of Government; Individual members of the Executive; Other (please specify)
The whole Government
Source
Legal documents that stipulate parliament's role.
Constitution, Article 75 (3)
Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence
In bicameral parliaments: Chambers that play a role in motions of no confidence: Lower chamber; Upper chamber; Not applicable
Lower chamber
Parliament is automatically dissolved when a motion of no confidence is adopted
In some countries, the adoption of a motion of no confidence in the Government automatically leads to the dissolution of Parliament in certain countries. In other cases, a new government can be formed.
No