Examine how the separation of powers is practised in India compared to the rigid presidential model of the United States of America. In this context, compare the actual authority of the Indian Prime Minister with that of the President of the USA

Theme

T97 Comparative constitutions: UK, USA, France

What UPSC asks in this theme

Questions compare India with the UK, US and France: separation of powers and PM vs US President, parliamentary sovereignty, presidential elections in India and France, right to equality, judicial systems, and democratic tenets.

What to cover

• UK: parliamentary sovereignty, uncodified constitution
• US: presidential system, rigid separation, judicial review
• France: semi-presidential, direct election
• Equality: US equal protection vs Indian Art 14–18 with affirmative action

Writing the answer

• Use comparison tables

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 6 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.