How does the separation of powers work in India’s constitutional system?

India’s constitutional system organizes the government into three distinct branches—the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary—to ensure a functional separation of powers. While these branches have specific responsibilities, they also maintain a degree of interdependence to prevent any single entity from achieving supremacy.123

• Legislature: The Parliament of India is the supreme legislative body, responsible for enacting laws. It is bicameral, consisting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, along with the president of India.43
• Executive: Comprising the president, the prime minister, and the Council of Ministers, the executive branch is directly accountable to the legislature. This accountability is a hallmark of India’s parliamentary system, where the government must maintain the confidence of the Lok Sabha.2314
• Judiciary: The Supreme Court of India and the high courts operate independently. Through judicial review, the judiciary safeguards fundamental rights and ensures that both union and state legislation remain consistent with the Constitution.25

A system of checks and balances is embedded within this framework to limit the power of each branch and preserve the supremacy of the Constitution.12