Class 10 Social Science Chapter 17 Political Parties (Civics) PYQ

Class: X Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Book: Political Science Type: PYQ (Board Exam) Board: CBSE Chapter 4 : Political Parties

SECTION A : Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

Q1. How many parties are registered with the Election Commission of India? [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Less than 100
(b) About 750
(c) About 2000
(d) About 500 Ans:
(b) About 750 political parties are registered with the Election Commission of India. However, most are small regional or local parties. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q2. Which of the following is a national party of India? [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) DMK
(b) TDP
(c) BJP
(d) TMC Ans:
(c) BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party). A national party must have at least 6% votes in 4 or more states and win at least 4 Lok Sabha seats. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q3. A political party that gets recognition as a state party must secure at least: [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) 3% votes in state assembly elections
(b) 6% votes in state assembly elections
(c) 10% votes in state assembly elections
(d) 50% votes Ans:
(b) 6% votes in state assembly elections and win at least 2 seats. This entitles the party to a reserved election symbol. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q4. What is the main function of a political party? [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) To run businesses
(b) To contest elections and form government
(c) To control the army
(d) To manage schools Ans:
(b) To contest elections and form government. Parties select candidates, set policies, run campaigns, and if elected, govern the country. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q5. A one-party system is found in: [CBSE 2020] [1]
(a) India
(b) USA
(c) China
(d) UK Ans:
(c) China. In China, only the Communist Party is allowed to rule. A one-party system does not allow free competition and is not democratic. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q6. Defection means: [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Winning an election
(b) Changing party after being elected on another party ticket
(c) Losing an election
(d) Forming a new party Ans:
(b) Changing party after being elected on another party ticket. The Anti-Defection Law was passed to discourage this practice and promote party discipline. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q7. Which body recognises political parties as national or state parties in India? [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) Supreme Court
(b) Election Commission of India
(c) Parliament
(d) President Ans:
(b) Election Commission of India (ECI). It allots symbols to parties and classifies them based on their electoral performance. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q8. A two-party system is found in which country? [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) India
(b) China
(c) USA
(d) France Ans:
(c) USA. The United States has a two-party system dominated by the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q9. An affidavit filed by candidates in elections must contain: [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) Only educational qualifications
(b) Details of property, criminal cases, and educational qualifications
(c) Only income details
(d) Only criminal record Ans:
(b) Details of property, criminal cases, and educational qualifications. This increases transparency and helps voters make informed choices. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q10. Assertion
(a) : India has a multi-party system. Reason (R): India has a diverse society with many social and regional groups. [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Both true and (R) correctly explains
(a)
(b) Both true but (R) does not explain
(a)
(c)
(a) is true but (R) is false
(d)
(a) is false Ans:
(a) Both true and (R) correctly explains
(a) . India's social diversity (castes, religions, languages, regions) naturally gives rise to multiple parties representing different interests. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION B : Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

Q11. What are the main functions of political parties in a democracy? [CBSE 2023] [3] • Contest Elections: Parties select candidates, set election agendas, and campaign for votes. They provide voters with a clear choice of policies and leadership. • Form Government: The winning party forms government and makes laws and policies. The losing parties form the opposition and hold the government accountable. • Public Opinion: Parties raise issues, educate citizens, and shape public opinion. They provide a link between the government and the people.

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Q12. What are the challenges faced by political parties in India? [CBSE 2024] [3] • Dynastic Succession: Most parties are controlled by one family. Top positions pass from one family member to another, blocking fresh talent and ideas. • Money and Muscle: Elections require huge funds, encouraging corruption. Candidates with criminal backgrounds get tickets because they can win elections. • Lack of Internal Democracy: Most parties do not hold regular internal elections. Ordinary members have little say in party decisions or candidate selection.

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Q13. Distinguish between national and state/regional parties with examples. [CBSE 2022] [3] • National Parties: Must secure 6% votes in at least 4 states and win 4 Lok Sabha seats. Have presence across the country. E.g., BJP, INC, BSP, CPI(M). • State/Regional Parties: Must secure 6% votes in state assembly elections and win 2 seats. Influence limited to one or few states. E.g., DMK, TDP, SP, TMC. • Importance: In India, regional parties play a crucial role in coalition governments at the Centre, reflecting the country's federal and diverse character.

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Q14. How has the multi-party system worked in India? [CBSE 2021] [3] • Representation: Multiple parties represent India's diverse social groups - different castes, religions, languages, and regions all find political voice. • Coalition Politics: Since 1989, coalition governments have become common at the Centre. This gives smaller parties and states a share in national power. • Challenges: Too many parties can cause instability, make governance difficult, and confuse voters. But it ensures no single group dominates the political space.

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Q15. Suggest reforms to strengthen political parties in India. [CBSE 2020] [3] • Internal Democracy: Parties should hold regular internal elections, maintain membership registers, and follow democratic procedures in selecting candidates. • Funding Transparency: All donations above a certain amount should be disclosed. State funding of elections can reduce dependence on private donors. • Anti-Defection: The Anti-Defection Law should be strengthened. Parties with criminal candidates should be penalised to clean up politics.

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SECTION C : Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)

Q16. "Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy." Analyse this statement. [CBSE 2024] [5] Ans: Political parties are indispensable for democracy: • Organise Elections: Without parties, every candidate would be independent. Voters would have no way to judge policies or hold anyone accountable for governance. • Government Formation: Parties provide the structure for forming and running governments. They bring together people with similar views to present unified policy platforms. • Opposition Role: Opposition parties scrutinise government actions, expose failures, and propose alternatives. This is vital for accountability in democracy.

• Public Voice: Parties channel diverse interests into the political system. They represent different sections of society and aggregate their demands. • Without Alternatives: Attempts to run democracy without parties have failed everywhere. Even non-party candidates ultimately form groups that function like parties. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q17. Explain the challenges faced by political parties in India. Suggest measures to reform them. [CBSE 2023] [5] Ans: Indian political parties face serious challenges: • Dynasty Politics: Most parties are family-controlled. Leaders pass on positions to children. This prevents fresh talent and democratic culture within parties. • Criminalisation: Many candidates have criminal cases. Money power influences candidate selection. About 43% of current MPs face criminal charges. • No Internal Democracy: Party decisions are taken by a few leaders. No regular organisational elections. Workers have no voice in policy or candidate selection.

• Reform - Legal: Make internal elections mandatory by law. Regulate party finances through state funding. Strengthen anti-defection laws. • Reform - Citizens: Put pressure on parties through RTI, public campaigns, and media scrutiny. Voter awareness about criminal candidates can discourage parties from fielding them. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q18. Compare the party systems of India, USA, and China. [CBSE 2022] [5] Ans: Different countries have different party systems: • India - Multi-party: Numerous national and regional parties. Coalition governments are common. Diverse society creates demand for multiple parties representing different interests. • USA - Two-party: Dominated by Democrats and Republicans. Third parties rarely win. The winner-takes-all electoral system favours only two major parties. • China - One-party: Only the Communist Party rules. No real competition or choice for voters. The party controls all aspects of governance.

• Impact on Democracy: Multi-party system best represents diversity but can cause instability. Two-party offers stability but limits choice. One-party is not democratic. • India's Advantage: Despite complexity, India's multi-party system has ensured representation of diverse groups and peaceful transfer of power through elections. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q19. What is the role of opposition parties in a democracy? Why are they important? [CBSE 2021] [5] Ans: Opposition parties are vital pillars of democracy: • Accountability: Opposition questions the government, exposes corruption, and demands explanations. Without opposition, government would be unchecked. • Alternative Policies: They present different viewpoints and policy alternatives, giving voters meaningful choices in the next election. • Debate and Discussion: Opposition ensures laws are properly debated in Parliament. They highlight flaws in bills and suggest improvements.

• Voice of People: Those who did not vote for the ruling party still need representation. Opposition parties speak for these citizens and their concerns. • Democratic Check: A strong opposition prevents authoritarianism. It ensures that the ruling party cannot misuse its majority to trample on rights and freedoms. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q20. Describe the evolution of the party system in India since Independence. [CBSE 2020] [5] Ans: India's party system has evolved significantly: • One-Party Dominance (1947-1967): Congress dominated Indian politics under Nehru. It won massive majorities at Centre and in most states. • Opposition Growth (1967-1989): Regional parties grew stronger. Non-Congress governments formed in many states. Janata Party won in 1977, ending Congress monopoly at Centre. • Coalition Era (1989-2014): No single party won clear majority. Coalition governments became the norm - NDA, UPA alliances. Regional parties became kingmakers.

• BJP Dominance (2014-present): BJP won decisive majorities in 2014 and 2019 under Modi. Regional parties remain strong in states but weakened at Centre. • Significance: The evolution shows maturing democracy - from single-party dominance to coalition politics to renewed mandate, reflecting changing voter preferences. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ --- End of Chapter 4 PYQ ---