Who generally bears the final political responsibility for a major policy?

Correct answer: Prime Minister and Council of Ministers

Direct answer: A is correct. In India’s parliamentary system, the Prime Minister leads the Council of Ministers, and the Council is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha. Therefore, the political executive generally bears the final political responsibility for major government policies. Political responsibility means explaining decisions, answering questions, facing parliamentary scrutiny, and accepting consequences when policies are unsuccessful or lose support. A is correct because it names the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers together. B is wrong because a President’s secretary is an official aide and does not make or own the government’s political decisions. C is wrong because a district judge performs judicial duties and is not politically responsible for government policy. D is wrong because the media may report and examine policies, but it does not make them or bear governmental responsibility. The President is the formal head of the Union, but in the parliamentary system the elected political executive exercises real policy leadership according to constitutional arrangements. Memory cue: political responsibility follows the elected executive and parliamentary accountability.