Relevance: GS II – Polity & Governance
Source: NewYork Times, U.S. Congressional Briefs, The Washington Post
The United States witnessed a 43-day government shutdown in 2025, the longest in its history, after Congress failed to approve federal spending.
Though a temporary funding bill reopened the government, the episode highlights how the U.S. system is structurally vulnerable to shutdowns — unlike India’s.
What Exactly Is a Shutdown?
A government shutdown happens when the executive branch cannot legally spend money because the legislature has not approved a budget or temporary funding.
Result: Services pause, employees furloughed, and governance stalls.
Shutdowns are a design feature of systems with strict checks between branches of government.
Why Shutdowns Occur in the United States (A Presidential Backlog)
The U.S. has a Presidential form of government, where the President and Congress are independently elected. They can disagree — and often do — even on basic matters like passing the Budget.
Key reasons:
U.S. Feature | Why It Leads to Shutdowns |
| Strict separation of powers | President cannot force Congress to pass the Budget |
| President cannot dissolve Congress | No political pressure mechanism to break deadlock |
| Congress must pass 12 separate spending bills | More room for conflict and delays |
| Antideficiency Act bars spending without approval | Legally forces a shutdown |
| Polarised political climate | Increases frequency of budget standoffs |
In short: Disagreement = paralysis.
The system is designed to allow conflict to check power, even if it halts the government.
Why India Does NOT Face Shutdowns (A Parliamentary Advantage)
India follows a Parliamentary system, where the executive (Prime Minister and Council of Ministers) is part of the Legislature and depends on its confidence.
This creates automatic alignment on Budget matters.
Indian safeguards:
Indian Strength | How It Prevents Shutdowns |
| Executive is accountable to Lok Sabha | Budget rejection = fall of government, not funding freeze |
| Article 116: Vote on Account | Ensures essential expenditure even without full Budget |
| Interim Budget during elections | No funding gaps |
| Consolidated Fund of India | Allows continuity of essential services |
| Political culture prefers consensus on Budget | Deadlocks resolved politically, not legally |
In short: Disagreement = government falls → new government → Budget passed.
Governance is never “switched off.”
Comparing the Two Systems (Simple View)
Dimension | United States | India |
| Government type | Presidential | Parliamentary |
| Relationship between branches | Strictly separate | Interlinked |
| Budget failure leads to | Shutdown | Loss of confidence, not shutdown |
| Continuity mechanism | None; needs emergency bill | Vote on Account, Interim Budget |
| Impact on workers/services | Massive disruption | No disruption in essential spending |
India’s system protects continuity, the U.S. protects checks and balances — each has strengths, but shutdown risk is unique to presidential systems.
What India Can Still Learn
- Strengthen fiscal transparency and minimize last-minute Budget rush.
- Improve Centre–State financial coordination under GST.
- Set up an independent Fiscal Council (recommended by FRBM Review Committee).
- Increase multi-year budgeting and outcome monitoring.
These improve governance without risking shutdown-like instability.
One-line Wrap
India’s parliamentary design prevents shutdowns, ensuring governance continues even when politics gets difficult.
UPSC Mains Question
“Why are government shutdowns structurally possible in the U.S. but virtually impossible in India? Explain with constitutional and institutional reasoning.”
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