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). |
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1 sourceThe 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).
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1 sourceUnion 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
