Class 10 Social Science Chapter 17 Political Parties (Civics) Practice Paper 4

Class: X Subject: Political Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 04 - Political Parties Time: 1½ Hours Max. Marks: 40

General Instructions:

1. All questions are compulsory.

2. This question paper contains 20 questions divided into five sections A, B, C, D and E.

3. Section A contains 10 MCQs of 1 mark each.

4. Section B contains 4 questions of 2 marks each.

5. Section C contains 3 questions of 3 marks each.

6. Section D contains 1 question of 5 marks.

7. Section E contains 2 Case Study Based questions of 4 marks each.

SECTION A - Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

Q1. Consider the following statements about political parties: A. Political parties do not enjoy much trust among people. B. Parties are often rocked by scandals involving top leaders. C. Parties are not necessary to run governments. Which statements are correct?
(a) A, B and C
(b) A and B
(c) B and C
(d) A and C

Q2. Who among the following is the founder of BSP?
(a) Kanshi Ram
(b) Sahu Maharaj
(c) B.R. Ambedkar
(d) Jotiba Phule

Q3. The symbol of INC is:
(a) Lotus
(b) Hand
(c) Elephant
(d) Hammer and Sickle

Q4. Which party was founded after the 2011 anti-corruption movement?
(a) BJP
(b) AAP
(c) BSP
(d) NPP

Q5. In how many states must a party win Assembly elections to be recognized as a national party?
(a) Two
(b) Three
(c) Four
(d) Five

Q6. Which of the following is a suggested reform for political parties?
(a) Ban all regional parties
(b) Compulsory one-third tickets to women
(c) Abolish opposition parties
(d) Reduce number of parties to two

Q7. BJP was founded by reviving which earlier party?
(a) Swatantra Party
(b) Bharatiya Jana Sangh
(c) Jan Sangh
(d) Hindu Mahasabha

Q8. A centrist party means:
(a) Party at the center of the country
(b) Neither rightist nor leftist
(c) Only national party
(d) Party with maximum seats

Q9. Over-regulation of political parties can be:
(a) Very beneficial
(b) Counter-productive
(c) Necessary
(d) Compulsory

Q10. Regional parties have contributed to the strengthening of:
(a) Centralization
(b) Federalism and democracy
(c) One-party system
(d) Dictatorship

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. How do political parties reduce a vast multitude of opinions?

Q12. What are pressure groups in the context of political parties?

Q13. Why has the anti-defection law not completely solved the problem of dissent within parties?

Q14. Name the first political party from North East India to attain national party status and mention its core philosophy.

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. Compare and contrast one-party system, two-party system and multi-party system.

Q16. Write a brief note on the Indian National Congress (INC).

Q17. Explain the challenge of money and muscle power in political parties with examples.

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. "No one national party is able to secure on its own a majority in the Lok Sabha, until 2014." Explain how this situation has impacted Indian democracy and politics.

SECTION E - Case Study Based Questions (4 marks each)

Q19. Read the following passage and answer the questions: "Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission. While the Commission treats all parties equally, it offers some special facilities to large and established parties. These parties are given a unique symbol - only the official candidates of that party can use that election symbol. Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are 'recognised' by the Election Commission for this purpose."
(a) Why do parties need to register with the Election Commission? (1 mark)
(b) What special facility is given to recognized parties? (1 mark)
(c) Why is it important to have a unique election symbol for a party? (2 marks)

Q20. Read the following passage and answer the questions: "Over the last three decades, the number and strength of regional parties has expanded. This made the Parliament of India politically more and more diverse. As a result, the national parties are compelled to form alliances with State parties. Since 1996, nearly every one of the State parties has got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level coalition government."
(a) What has happened to regional parties over the last three decades? (1 mark)
(b) How has this affected the Parliament of India? (1 mark)
(c) What opportunity have state parties got since 1996? (1 mark)
(d) Is this development good for democracy? Give reason. (1 mark) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 04

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(b) A and B Ans 2.
(a) Kanshi Ram Ans 3.
(b) Hand Ans 4.
(b) AAP Ans 5.
(c) Four Ans 6.
(b) Compulsory one-third tickets to women Ans 7.
(b) Bharatiya Jana Sangh Ans 8.
(b) Neither rightist nor leftist Ans 9.
(b) Counter-productive Ans 10.
(b) Federalism and democracy

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. In a democracy, a large number of similar opinions have to be grouped together to provide a direction in which policies can be formulated by the governments. This is what the parties do. A party reduces a vast multitude of opinions into a few basic positions which it supports. Each of us may have different opinions on what policies are suitable for society, but no government can handle such a large variety of views. Parties group similar views together and present them as their policy positions.

Ans 12. Many of the pressure groups are extensions of political parties among different sections of society. These are groups that try to influence government policies in favor of their specific interests. They work closely with political parties or are affiliated to them. Parties use these pressure groups to mobilize support among different sections of society and to raise issues that concern these groups. Ans 13. The anti-defection law has helped bring down defection, but it has made any dissent within the party even more difficult. MPs and MLAs now have to accept whatever the party leaders decide, as going against the party line can result in loss of their seat. While it prevented defection for personal gain, it has also reduced the independence of elected representatives and their ability to voice different opinions within the party.

Ans 14. The National People's Party (NPP) is the first political party from North East India to have attained the status of a national party. Its core philosophy is education and employment to all as well as empowerment of all sections of the society. The party believes in the diversity of the country and recognizes that different regions have different developmental challenges.

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. One-party system: In this system, only one party is allowed to control and run the government. This is not a democratic option as it does not permit free competition for power. Example: China, where only the Communist Party is allowed to rule. Two-party system: In this system, power usually changes between two main parties. Several other parties may exist but only the two main parties have a serious chance of winning majority of seats to form government. Example: United States and United Kingdom.

Multi-party system: If several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, it is called a multi-party system. The government is formed by various parties coming together in a coalition. Example: India. Ans 16. The Indian National Congress (INC) was founded in 1885 and is one of the oldest parties of the world. It played a dominant role in Indian politics at the national and state level for several decades after India's Independence.

Under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru, the party sought to build a modern secular democratic republic in India. It was the ruling party at the centre till 1977 and then from 1980 to 1989. A centrist party in its ideological orientation, the party espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities. INC supports new economic reforms but with a human face. It led the United Progressive Alliance government from 2004 to 2019. The party continues to be present throughout the country, cutting across social divisions.

Ans 17. The challenge of money and muscle power in political parties is a serious concern: Money power: Since parties are focused on winning elections, they tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise lots of money. Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the policies and decisions of the party. This means that the interests of common people may be ignored in favor of wealthy donors. For example, parties may frame economic policies that favor big business houses who fund them.

Muscle power: In some cases, parties support criminals who can win elections through intimidation and use of force. Such candidates use their money and criminal networks to influence voters and win elections. This is particularly visible in some constituencies where candidates with serious criminal cases pending against them are given party tickets because they can "deliver" the seat. This challenge undermines democracy as it shifts power from ordinary citizens to those with money and muscle power.

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. The statement highlights an important phase in Indian politics. Until 2014, no single national party was able to secure a clear majority in the Lok Sabha on its own. This situation had several significant impacts on Indian democracy and politics:

1. Rise of coalition politics: National parties were compelled to form alliances with State parties to form governments. Major coalitions like the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), United Progressive Alliance (UPA), and Left Front emerged. This meant that governments were formed through negotiations and compromises among various parties.

2. Strengthening of federalism: Since 1996, nearly every State party got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level coalition government. This gave regional parties significant bargaining power and ensured that regional interests were represented at the national level. It strengthened federal principles in governance.

3. Greater political diversity: The Parliament of India became politically more and more diverse. Different viewpoints, regional concerns, and varied ideologies got representation at the highest level of government. This enriched democratic discourse in the country.

4. Power sharing and accommodation: Coalition governments had to accommodate different viewpoints and interests. This led to more consultative and inclusive decision-making. No single party could impose its views without consideration of its alliance partners.

5. Political instability concerns: However, coalition politics also brought some instability. Governments sometimes fell due to withdrawal of support by alliance partners. Policy-making became slower as consensus had to be built among various parties with different ideologies. Overall, this period contributed to deepening democracy in India by ensuring wider representation and preventing concentration of power in any single party. It made the political system more accommodative and federal in character.

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19.
(a) Parties need to register with the Election Commission to be officially recognized and to participate in the electoral process. Registration ensures that parties meet certain basic requirements and can be monitored by the electoral authority.
(b) Recognized parties are given a unique election symbol. Only the official candidates of that party can use that election symbol in elections.
(c) A unique election symbol is important for a party because: • In a country with many illiterate voters, symbols help people identify and vote for their preferred party easily • It prevents confusion and ensures that only legitimate candidates of the party can contest using that symbol • It helps build party identity and brand recognition among voters • It prevents misuse by independent candidates or candidates from other parties who might try to mislead voters Ans 20.

(a) Over the last three decades, the number and strength of regional parties has expanded significantly.
(b) This has made the Parliament of India politically more and more diverse, with representation from various regional parties alongside national parties.
(c) Since 1996, nearly every State party has got an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level coalition government.
(d) Yes, this development is good for democracy because it has contributed to the strengthening of federalism and democracy in India. It ensures that regional voices are heard at the national level and that power is not concentrated in the hands of one or two national parties alone. It makes governance more representative and inclusive.