UPSC Mains 2026 · GS II · Q14 · 15 marks · 250 words

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.

हिन्दी में

भारत में शक्ति पृथक्करण को संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका के कठोर अध्यक्षीय मॉडल की तुलना में कैसे व्यवहार में लाया जा रहा है, परीक्षण कीजिए । इस प्रसंग में, भारतीय प्रधानमंत्री की वास्तविक सत्ता की संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका के राष्ट्रपति से तुलना कीजिए ।

Comparative ConstitutionsSeparation of PowersExecutive

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “The practice of separation of powers in the Constitutional scheme of India and USA is distinct in its own way. Examine.”

Pakshal SecretryAIR 8 · CSE 2025 · 133 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

Separation of power is a concept where power is distributed among different organs of society to avoid concentration of power in hands of few.

Body · points and prose

Separation of Power in India

→ Article 50 provides for separation of Judiciary from executive.

→ In India's parliamentary form of government executive are taken from legislature itself.

Diagram
- A large circle labeled "Legislature" containing a smaller circle labeled "Executive". - A separate smaller circle to the right labeled "Judiciary".

Separation of Power in USA

→ The executive is completelly separate from the legislature.

→ President and minister are not accountable directly to the legislature.

Diagram
- Three separate circles labeled: "Executive", "Legislature", and "Judiciary".

Differences

→ Parliamentary form of government (India) vs Presidential form of government (USA).

→ Council of minister from legislature in India, whereas independent executive in USA.

→ Continuous responsibility in Indian system vs periodic accountability in USA.

Close · a summary

Indian system is based on checks and balances and continuous and concurrent accountability to Lok Sabha suits us better.

How toppers approach this question, and more on its topic: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper II, Q14. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.