Topic: Indian Constitution- historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure
Q3. Constitutional democracy rests not merely on elections but on the constant vigilance of institutions. Assess how institutional weakening affects checks and balances. Suggest a multi-level strategy to rebuild democratic accountability. (15 M)
Difficulty Level: Easy
Reference: IE
Why the question
Debates on declining institutional autonomy, shrinking legislative scrutiny, and concerns around federal imbalance highlight the need to reassess how democratic checks operate beyond elections.Key demand of the question
The question asks to explain how weakening institutions disrupt checks and balances across branches of government, and to propose a multi-tiered strategy—legislative, federal, judicial, and citizen-led—for rebuilding democratic accountability.Structure of the Answer
Introduction
Briefly highlight how constitutional democracy depends on functioning institutions that ensure continuous accountability, not just electoral legitimacy.Body
- Impact of institutional weakening on checks and balances: Mention areas such as reduced legislative scrutiny, weakened federal mechanisms, compromised neutrality of constitutional offices, and delays in judicial remedies.
- Multi-level strategy to rebuild accountability: Suggest parliamentary reforms, federal strengthening, judicial capacity enhancement, independent constitutional appointments, and citizen-centric accountability tools.
Conclusion
Add a line emphasising the need for restoring institutional autonomy to safeguard constitutional democracy.
