The quote by Lord Acton "Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" underscores the dangers of unchecked authority. When power is concentrated without oversight it can lead to corruption and abuse. This principle is integral to the doctrine of separation of powers designed to prevent any single branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Separation of powers is a key element of democratic governance which aims to distribute legislative, executive and judicial responsibilities across different branches of government. In the Indian Constitution, the explicit term "separation of powers" is not used as it is in some other countries constitutions. Instead, the concept of separation of powers is implicit in the way powers and functions are distributed among the legislative, executive and judicial branches.

The Legislature or Parliament is responsible for creating laws. The Executive which includes the President, the Prime Minister and the Council of Ministers is charged with enforcing these laws. The Judiciary led by the Supreme Court interprets the laws and ensures they are in alignment with the Constitution.

This structure is designed to ensure that each branch functions independently and prevent any one branch from accumulating too much power which ensures a balanced system of governance. In the case of Golak Nath v. State of Punjab[1] the Supreme Court affirmed that the Constitution is supreme and no authority can override it. Each branch must operate within the powers granted by the Constitution.

Understanding the Checks and Balance
Checks and balances are fundamental mechanisms within a democratic system that prevent any single branch of government from gaining too much power. In India, these mechanisms are essential for maintaining a balanced governance structure where the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary operate independently yet interdependently.

The Legislature, composed of the Parliament holds the primary responsibility of enacting laws. It exercises its check on the Executive and Judiciary through various means such as legislative oversight, budgetary control and the power to impeach officials for misconduct. These mechanisms ensure that the Executive implements laws in accordance with legislative intent and that the Judiciary upholds the legality and constitutionality of these laws.

The Executive branch, led by the President and the Prime Minister with their Council of Ministers executes and enforces laws. It maintains a check on the Legislature through the President's power to withhold assent to bills by necessitating further deliberation or amendment by Parliament. Additionally, the Executive can issue ordinances in urgent situations when Parliament is not in session, although these ordinances require parliamentary approval within a specified period to remain effective.

The Judiciary, headed by the Supreme Court of India interprets laws and ensures their conformity with the Constitution. Its primary function is to adjudicate disputes and review the legality of governmental actions through mechanisms like judicial review. This power allows the Judiciary to strike down laws or executive actions that are unconstitutional which ensures that all branches of government adhere to the principles of justice and the rule of law.

In the case of Ram Jawaya Kapur v. State of Punjab[2] the Supreme Court held that the doctrine of separation of powers is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution but each branch of government should not encroach on the functions of the others. Each organ must exercise its powers within the limits set by the Constitution.

Understanding the Checks and Balance
The Legislature or Parliament is empowered under Article 245 of the Constitution to enact laws within its defined legislative domain. It holds the authority to pass laws concerning matters specified in the Union List, Concurrent List and subject to limitations in the State List. The Parliament possesses specific powers such as those outlined in Articles 53 and 154, where the executive powers of the Union and the State are vested in the President and the Governors. These provisions ensure that the Executive functions under the oversight of Parliament though they also empower the Executive with the ability to promulgate ordinances (Article 123) when Parliament is not in session and urgent legislation is required.

The Executive is tasked with enforcing laws enacted by Parliament. The Executive's authority is not absolute, as it is subjected to parliamentary scrutiny and oversight. Moreover, Articles 121 and 211 safeguard the independence of the Judiciary by prohibiting the Legislature from discussing the conduct of judges except during impeachment proceedings. This separation aims to maintain the Judiciary's impartiality and shield it from political interference.

The Judiciary is responsible for interpreting laws and upholding their constitutionality. Articles 32, 136, 226 and 227 provide the Judiciary the power of judicial review and allow it to overturn any statute or governmental action that breaches the Constitution or violates basic rights. Article 50 of the constitution which directs the State to separate the judiciary from the executive which is a directive principle rather than a enforceable mandate.

Relationship between Separation of powers and Checks and balances in India
The relationship between the doctrine of separation of powers and the system of checks and balances is fundamental to the Indian Constitution which helps to ensure a balanced and accountable governance structure. The Constitution does not explicitly use the term "separation of powers," it implicitly incorporates this principle by delineating the roles and functions of the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary.

This division ensures that each branch operates within its defined limits. While India does not precisely adhere to the idea of separation of powers but the Constitution does establish a system of checks and balances between the three institutions of government. This system prohibits any single branch from wielding excessive power and guarantees that government activities are constitutionally sound and in the public's best interests. The overlapping functions and checks produce a dynamic governance system in which each organ exercises its powers within set limitations which promotes accountability, transparency as well as the rule of law under India's democratic framework.

The principle of separation of powers allocates distinct functions to the Legislature, Executive and Judiciary. This division is essential for ensuring that no single branch use absolute power. The system of checks and balances is crucial in maintaining equilibrium among these branches. Each branch has mechanisms to oversee and limit the actions of the others and prevents any potential abuse of power.

In India, the Legislature has several methods to hold the Executive accountable. These include no-confidence motions where the government must resign if it loses the confidence of the majority and question hours where ministers must answer questions posed by members of Parliament. The Censure motions allow Parliament to express disapproval of the Executive's actions.

The Judiciary has the power to review laws and executive decisions and ensures they comply with the Constitution of India. The Executive can influence the Legislature by issuing ordinances when Parliament is not in session. These ordinances must be approved by Parliament later but they allow the Executive to act swiftly in urgent situations.

Article 61 of the Indian Constitution details the impeachment procedure for the President which can be initiated for violating the Constitution. The process starts when either House of Parliament puts forth an impeachment charge. This charge must be supported by a resolution moved after a minimum of fourteen day's notice, signed by at least one-fourth of the House members. To proceed further the resolution needs to be approved by a two-thirds majority of that House. The other House is responsible for investigating the charge. During this investigation the President has the right to appear and be represented.

If the investigating House also passes the resolution by a two-thirds majority the President is then removed from office. Article 124(4) of the Indian Constitution specifies the procedure for the removal of a Supreme Court judge. A judge can only be removed by an order of the President following an address by each House of Parliament. This address must be supported by a majority of the total membership of each House and must also receive a two-thirds majority of the members present and voting.

This stringent process ensures judicial accountability particularly concerning proven misbehavior or incapacity. These provisions ensure that the highest offices in the Executive and Judiciary remain accountable and that their actions are subject to scrutiny by the Legislature. This system of checks and balances with supporting the principle of separation of powers helps maintain a balanced and fair governance structure in India.

Conclusion
The principles of separation of powers and checks and balances are fundamental to the Indian Constitution. The Constitution does not explicitly mention the separation of powers but it distributes the functions and responsibilities among the different branches to maintain a balanced governance structure. Each branch operates within its defined limits while also having mechanisms to oversee and limit the actions of the others and helps to ensure that no single branch accumulates absolute power.

End-Notes:

1. 1967 AIR 1643
2. AIR1955SC549