The Parliamentary system in India is a democratic system of government where the legislative, executive, and judicial powers are separated. It is a unicameral system, with a single chamber called the Lok Sabha (House of the People) or the House of the Representatives.

Key Features:

1. Separation of Powers: The Indian Parliament is divided into three branches:
   • Legislative: The Lok Sabha (Lower House) and Rajya Sabha (Upper House) make laws.
   • Executive: The Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers (cabinet) implement the laws.
   • Judicial: The Supreme Court and High Courts interpret the laws.
2. Lok Sabha (House of the People): The Lok Sabha has 543 elected members, known as Members of Parliament (MPs), who serve for a term of five years. The leader of the party or coalition with a majority in the Lok Sabha becomes the Prime Minister.
3. Rajya Sabha (Council of States): The Rajya Sabha has 245 members, with 233 elected by the elected members of the state assemblies and 12 nominated by the President. The term of office is six years, with one-third of its members retiring every two years.
4. President: The President is the ceremonial head of state, elected by the members of both Houses for a five-year term. However, most powers are exercised by the Prime Minister.
5. Prime Minister: The Prime Minister is the head of government, responsible for forming and leading the cabinet.
6. Council of Ministers: The Council of Ministers, headed by the Prime Minister, assists in decision-making and policy implementation.
7. Procedural Rules: The Indian Parliament follows procedural rules and conventions to ensure orderly functioning, such as question periods, debates, and votes.

Functions:

1. Legislation: The Parliament makes laws on various subjects, including finance, defense, and social welfare.
2. Budgeting: The Parliament approves the annual budget presented by the Finance Minister.
3. Accountability: The Parliament holds the government accountable through question periods, debates, and investigations.
4. Representation: MPs represent their constituencies’ interests and engage in debates and discussions on various issues.

Challenges:

1. Partisan Politics: Partisan divisions often lead to gridlock and inefficiency.
2. Bureaucratic Red Tape: Bureaucratic delays and inefficiencies can hinder policy implementation.
3. Corruption: Corruption is a significant issue in Indian politics, affecting decision-making and governance.
4. Regional Imbalance: The uneven distribution of resources and opportunities between regions can lead to regional imbalances.

Reforms:

1. Electoral Reforms: Reforms to ensure fair and free elections, such as electoral bond schemes and anti-defection laws.
2. Parliamentary Reforms: Efforts to improve parliamentary efficiency, such as reducing debates’ duration and increasing question periods.
3. Anti-Corruption Measures: Laws like Right to Information Act (RTI) and Lokpal Act aim to reduce corruption.