This MCQ module is based on: Exercises — Political Parties
TOPIC 14 OF 18
Exercises — Political Parties
🎓 Class 10
Social Science
CBSE
Theory
Ch 4 — Political Parties
⏱ ~15 min
🌐 Language: [gtranslate]
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[myaischool_lt_sst_assessment grade_level="class_10" subject="civics" difficulty="intermediate"]
Exercises & Key Terms — Political Parties
NCERT Democratic Politics-II | Chapter 4: Political Parties
Political Parties Chapter Summary — Key Points
What Are Political Parties?
A group of people who organise to contest elections and hold governmental power, united by shared policies aimed at the collective good. Every party has leaders, active members, and followers.
Why We Need Them
Parties contest elections, present policies, make laws, form governments, serve as opposition, shape public opinion, and provide citizens access to government — functions essential for representative democracy.
Party Systems
One-party (not democratic), two-party (USA, UK), and multi-party (India). A country's system evolves based on its diversity, history, and electoral design — no single system is ideal for all.
Parties in India
Seven recognised national parties (as per ECI 2023) and numerous state parties. National parties need 6% votes in 4 states + 4 Lok Sabha seats. State parties have fuelled coalition politics since 1996.
Four Challenges
Lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, growing role of money and muscle power, and declining meaningful choice among parties.
Reform Pathways
Anti-defection law, mandatory affidavits, ECI organisational orders. Proposed: internal regulation, women's quotas, state funding. Citizen engagement is the most effective long-term approach.
Key Terms for Political Parties Chapter 4
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Political Party? | A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government, agreeing on policies for the collective good. |
| Partisan? | A person strongly committed to a party, group, or faction; marked by a tendency to take sides. |
| Ruling Party? | The political party that runs the government after winning a majority in elections. |
| Alliance / Front? | When several parties join together to contest elections and share power in a coalition. |
| Defection? | Changing party allegiance from the party on which a person was elected to a different party. |
| Affidavit? | A signed document submitted to an officer where a person makes a sworn statement regarding personal information. |
| National Party | A party that secures at least 6% votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in 4 states and wins at least 4 Lok Sabha seats. |
| State Party | A party that secures at least 6% votes in a State Assembly election and wins at least 2 seats. |
NCERT Exercises for Political Parties Chapter 4
Q1. State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.
Q2. What are the various challenges faced by political parties?
Q3. Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well.
Q4. What is a political party?
Q5. What are the characteristics of a political party?
Q6. A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a _______________.
Q7. Match List I (Organisations and Struggles) with List II and select the correct answer:
| List I | List II | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Congress Party | A. National Democratic Alliance |
| 2 | Bharatiya Janata Party | B. State party |
| 3 | Communist Party of India (Marxist) | C. United Progressive Alliance |
| 4 | Telugu Desam Party | D. Left Front |
Q8. Who among the following is the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party?
Q9. What is the guiding philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party?
Q10. Consider the following statements on parties:
A. Political parties do not enjoy much trust among the people.
B. Parties are often rocked by scandals involving top party leaders.
C. Parties are not necessary to run governments.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Q11. Read the following passage and answer the questions:
Muhammad Yunus, a renowned Bangladeshi economist and Nobel Peace Prize recipient (2006), decided in February 2007 to launch a political party called Nagarik Shakti (Citizens' Power) to contest parliamentary elections. His aim was to foster proper leadership, good governance, and build a new Bangladesh through a political party different from traditional ones — one that would be democratic from the grassroots level. While many citizens welcomed this, traditional party leaders were apprehensive.
(a) Do you think Yunus made the right decision to float a new political party?
(b) Do you agree with the fears expressed by various people? How would you want this new party organised?
DISCUSS — Political Parties in Your Area
L5 Evaluate
Reflect on the political parties active in your state or locality:
- Which political parties are most active in your area? Are they national or state parties?
- Have you observed any of the four challenges (lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, money power, lack of choice) in your local political context?
- What role do ordinary citizens play in party activities in your area?
- If you could suggest one reform to your local party leaders, what would it be?
Guidance
This is an open-ended discussion. Observe local election campaigns, party meetings, and news reports to form your own assessment. Consider how candidates are selected, whether party positions are passed within families, how campaigns are funded, and whether voters feel they have genuine alternatives. Remember that democratic reform begins with informed and engaged citizens.
📚 Competency-Based Questions — Chapter Revision
Read the scenario carefully: In a country called Swarajya, the main opposition party has been led by the same family for three generations. The current leader's daughter has just been appointed party president at the age of 28. She has no prior experience in governance or grassroots politics. Meanwhile, a veteran party worker who served the party for 30 years was overlooked. He has now filed a petition demanding that the Election Commission mandate internal elections within all political parties.
Q1. Which two challenges to political parties does the scenario primarily illustrate?
L3 Apply
Q2. Analyse whether the veteran's petition to the Election Commission is a viable reform strategy.
L4 Analyse
Q3. Evaluate whether over-regulation of political parties could be counterproductive for democracy.
L5 Evaluate
Q4. (HOT) Draft a short "Citizens' Charter of Demands" (4-5 points) that ordinary voters could present to all political parties before a general election.
L6 Create
⚖ Assertion-Reason Questions — Chapter Revision
Assertion (A): Even in panchayat elections where parties do not officially participate, villages tend to split into factions that resemble political parties.
Reason (R): Collective political action and grouping is a natural feature of democratic societies, making parties a necessary condition for democracy.
Reason (R): Collective political action and grouping is a natural feature of democratic societies, making parties a necessary condition for democracy.
Assertion (A): A two-party system is always superior to a multi-party system for effective governance.
Reason (R): Multi-party systems lead to coalition governments that are inherently unstable.
Reason (R): Multi-party systems lead to coalition governments that are inherently unstable.
Assertion (A): The problem of bad politics can be solved by more and better politics.
Reason (R): When reform-minded citizens participate actively in political parties, they improve the quality of democratic governance from within.
Reason (R): When reform-minded citizens participate actively in political parties, they improve the quality of democratic governance from within.
Review Chapter 4: Political Parties
Frequently Asked Questions
What are important questions for Political Parties Class 10?
Important questions for Political Parties Class 10 include defining political parties and their three components, explaining six functions of political parties, comparing one-party, two-party, and multi-party systems, listing national parties in India with their ideologies, describing major challenges facing political parties, and suggesting reforms. Students should also prepare competency-based questions where they analyse scenarios related to party systems and democratic accountability.
How do you identify national and state parties for the exam?
To identify national and state parties for the Class 10 exam, remember the recognition criteria set by the Election Commission. A national party must win at least 6 percent of total valid votes in elections in four or more states and win at least 4 Lok Sabha seats. A state party needs 6 percent votes in a state assembly election and at least 2 seats. Remember the major national parties (BJP, INC, BSP, CPI, CPI-M) and key regional parties associated with specific states.
What type of party system does India have and why?
India has a multi-party system because of its enormous social and geographical diversity. The country's multiple languages, religions, castes, and regional identities require many parties to represent all interests adequately. A two-party system would not be able to accommodate this diversity. India has over 750 registered parties including national parties and dozens of state parties. This system leads to coalition governments which, while complex, ensure broader representation of India's diverse population.
What are assertion-reason questions on political parties?
Assertion-reason questions on political parties present two statements and ask students to determine the logical relationship between them. Common topics include assertions about multi-party system necessity with reasons about social diversity, assertions about party challenges with reasons about dynastic politics, and assertions about reforms with reasons about Election Commission powers. Students must carefully analyse whether both statements are true and whether the reason correctly explains the assertion.
What is the summary of Political Parties Chapter 4?
Political Parties, Chapter 4 of NCERT Class 10 Democratic Politics, covers why political parties are essential for democracy, defines their three components and six functions, compares one-party, two-party, and multi-party systems, profiles major national parties in India, discusses the growing role of state and regional parties, identifies key challenges like internal democracy deficits and dynastic succession, and suggests reforms including mandatory internal elections and anti-defection measures.
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Social Science Class 10 — Democratic Politics II (Civics)
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