Collective Responsibility and Individual Responsibility Definition, Types, Examples & Uses

Collective Responsibility and Individual Responsibility

Subject: Polity

Book: Indian Polity by M. Laxmikanth

Under the parliamentary system, Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha—if a no-confidence motion passes, all resign. Ministers also have individual responsibility for their departmental actions. This ensures cohesive policy and accountability. Collective responsibility fosters unity, preventing contradictory statements or fragmentation within the cabinet. Meanwhile, a minister must step down if found guilty of malfeasance or unable to defend ministry’s failures. The concept anchors discipline and trust in executive-legislative relations, though coalition governments sometimes dilute unified stands. Mastery of these twin doctrines is key to grasping how ministers share governance burdens while retaining personal accountability.