Indian and French Political Systems | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Posted 04 Oct 2025

Updated 08 Oct 2025

4 min read

Article Summary

Article Summary

The article compares their republican, democratic structures, highlighting India's parliamentary model and France’s semi-presidential system, with differences in leadership selection and secular approach. 

Indian and French Political Systems

Recently, the French Parliament voted to remove the government along with the Prime Minister, creating political instability in the country. 

Comparison between the Indian and the French Political Systems

  • Similarities: Republican form of government with elected heads of state, bicameral legislatures, based on the principles of democracy, emphasizing liberty, equality, and fraternity.
  • Differences: (Refer Table)

Aspect

India

France

Constitutional model

Parliamentary republic;  

single executive led by PM; 

President largely ceremonial.

Semi-presidential with dual executive (i.e. President + Prime Minister)

Procedures to elect the President

Indirect election by an electoral college using single transferable vote and secret ballot.

Direct election by universal adult suffrage.

 

Choosing / Removing Prime Minister (PM)

The PM is elected by Lok Sabha and must retain the confidence of Lok Sabha.

The PM is appointed by the President, but must keep Assembly confidence.

Federal design

Quasi-federal

Blends federal and unitary features.

Unitary

Centralized authority with local governments as central agents.

Approach to Secularism

Positive approach: State maintains neutrality but can intervene to reform (e.g., abolishing untouchability).

French laïcité enforces strict separation of religion and state (e.g., bans on conspicuous symbols).

  • Tags :
  • Indian and French Political Systems
  • Republican form of government

Visakhapatnam Declaration

The Declaration adopted at the 28th National Conference on e-Governance, called for a whole-of-government approach to strengthen civil services with digital competencies, and agile & data-driven frameworks.

Key Proposals of the Vishakapatnam Declaration

  • National Vision: Inclusive, citizen-centric, and transparent governance.
  • Technology-Driven Governance: Adoption of AI, ML, Blockchain, GIS, IoT, and Data Analytics to deliver multilingual, real-time, and sector-specific citizen services, emphasizing the need for ethical and transparent adoption.
    • E.g. Digital India BHASHINI, Digi Yatra, NADRES V2, etc.
  • Replication of Successful Models: Focus on nationwide scaling of models like SAMPADA 2.0 (MP), eKhata (Bengaluru), Rohini Gram Panchayat (Maharashtra), Drone Analytics Monitoring System (DAMS) by NHAI, etc.
  • Grassroots and Inclusive Development:
    • Geographical Outreach: To regions with connectivity challenges, like North-East and Ladakh, under the NeSDA framework.
    • Nationwide expansion of successful Panchayat digital models, launching digital literacy programs targeting women, youth, etc.
  • Cybersecurity and Resilience:  Focus on Zero-Trust architecture, post-quantum security and AI-enabled monitoring in priority sectors like transport, defence and citizen services platforms.
  • Agriculture and Sustainability: National Agri Stack for better access to credit, advisories, and markets.
  • Other: Collaboration between government, industry, for scalable digital solutions; Regional Hub Development (E.g. Visakhapatnam as IT and innovation hub).

Related News

World’s first AI minister appointed in Albania

Diella, an AI-generated bot will manage and award all public tenders for government projects, aiming to enhance transparency and minimize corruption.

  • Tags :
  • e-Governance
  • Visakhapatnam Declaration
  • World’s first AI minister

Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025

Union Ministry of Home Affairs notified the Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025, under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025.

Key Highlights of the Order

  • Exemption of Passport/Visa for: 
    • Indian armed forces on duty
    • Indian, Nepali, and Bhutanese citizens at specified borders; 
    • Tibetans with valid registration and special permits; 
    • Specific religious minorities (Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis, and Christians) from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan who entered by December 31, 2024 (even with invalid documents), and 
    • Registered Sri Lankan Tamil nationals who took shelter by January 9, 2015.
  • Visa exemption also applied to:
    • Foreigners holding diplomatic/official passports (where waived by agreement)
    • Those eligible for visa-on-arrival 
    • Certain foreign military personnel visiting on naval warship
  • Tags :
  • Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025
  • Immigration and Foreigners (Exemption) Order, 2025
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