Class 10 Social Science Chapter 17 Political Parties

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 UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU | Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) | www.uniquestudyonline.com Page 1 UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU Class X | Social Science | Pol. Science Ch.4 (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.

Q16. "Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy." Analyse this statement. [CBSE 2024]

Ans: Political parties are indispensable for democracy: UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU | Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) | www.uniquestudyonline.com Page 2 UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU Class X | Social Science | Pol. Science Ch.4 • 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]

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]

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]

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]

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. UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU | Amitesh Nagar, Indore (M.P.) | www.uniquestudyonline.com Page 3 UNIQUE STUDY POINT BY SUMEET SAHU Class X | Social Science | Pol. Science Ch.4 • Significance: The evolution shows maturing democracy - from single-party dominance to coalition politics to renewed mandate, reflecting changing voter preferences.