NCERT Solutions for Class 10 Social Science (Democratic Politics II) Chapter 4: Political Parties

These Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 solutions cover Political Parties from Democratic Politics II, the NCERT textbook for the 2026–27 session. The chapter takes a close look at the nature and working of political parties — why we need them, how many parties are good for a democracy, the difference between national and State (regional) parties in India, the major challenges that parties face, and how they can be reformed. Below you get step-by-step answers to every question in the Exercises, reproduced verbatim, along with notes on key terms, extra practice, MCQs, Assertion–Reason questions and FAQs.

Class: 10 Subject: Social Science (Civics) Book: Democratic Politics II Chapter: 4 Topic: Political Parties Session: 2026–27
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Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 – Overview

Chapter 4, Political Parties, examines the most visible institution of any democracy. A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in government on the basis of agreed policies and programmes for the collective good. A party has three components — the leaders, the active members and the followers. The chapter explains the major functions parties perform (contesting elections, putting forward policies, making laws, forming and running governments, acting as opposition, shaping public opinion and providing access to welfare schemes) and why democracies cannot exist without them. It then compares one-party, two-party and multiparty systems, and introduces India’s recognised national parties and the many State (regional) parties. Finally it discusses four big challenges — lack of internal democracy, dynastic succession, money and muscle power, and the lack of meaningful choice — and the reforms (such as the anti-defection law and election affidavits) being attempted to strengthen parties.

Key Concepts & Terms

Political party: a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government; members agree on policies and programmes for society with a view to promote the collective good.

Three components of a party: the leaders, the active members and the followers.

Partisan: a person who is strongly committed to a party, group or faction. Partisanship is marked by a tendency to take a side and an inability to take a balanced view on an issue.

Ruling party: the political party that runs the government.

One-party system: a system in which only one party is allowed to control and run the government (e.g. China). It is not considered a good democratic option because it does not allow free competition for power.

Two-party system: a system in which power usually changes between two main parties, only one of which has a serious chance of winning a majority and forming the government (e.g. the USA and the UK).

Multiparty system: a system in which several parties compete for power and more than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power, on their own strength or in alliance with others (e.g. India).

Alliance / front: when several parties in a multiparty system join hands to contest elections and win power (e.g. NDA, UPA, Left Front).

National party: a recognised party with units in several states that follows the same policies and programmes at the national level; it must meet the Election Commission’s criteria of votes and seats across States.

State (regional) party: a party recognised by the Election Commission within a State; it need not be regional in ideology or outlook.

Defection: changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected (to a legislative body) to a different party.

Affidavit: a signed document submitted to an officer, in which a person makes a sworn statement regarding her personal information.

“Exercises” — Full Solutions

All questions below are reproduced verbatim from the NCERT textbook’s end-of-chapter Exercises. Answers are original, written in exam-ready style.

1. State the various functions political parties perform in a democracy.

ANSWER Political parties fill political offices and exercise political power. They perform the following key functions in a democracy: (i) Contest elections: Parties put up candidates and contest elections; in most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by parties. (ii) Put forward policies and programmes: Parties reduce a vast multitude of opinions into a few basic positions; voters choose from the policies and programmes the parties offer. (iii) Make laws: Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country, since members of the legislature usually vote according to the direction of their party. (iv) Form and run governments: Parties recruit leaders, train them and make them ministers to run the government; big policy decisions are taken by the political executive that comes from the parties. (v) Act as opposition: Parties that lose play the role of opposition, voicing different views, criticising the government for its failures and mobilising opposition to it. (vi) Shape public opinion: Parties raise and highlight issues; with their lakhs of members and activists, and through pressure groups linked to them, they help opinions crystallise. (vii) Provide access to government: Parties give people access to government machinery and welfare schemes, as it is easier for an ordinary citizen to approach a local party leader than a government officer.

2. What are the various challenges faced by political parties?

ANSWER Political parties need to face and overcome four major challenges to remain effective instruments of democracy: (i) Lack of internal democracy: Power tends to be concentrated in one or a few leaders at the top. Parties often do not keep membership registers, hold regular organisational meetings or conduct internal elections, so ordinary members cannot influence decisions. (ii) Dynastic succession: Because parties lack open and transparent procedures, leaders favour people close to them, especially family members, and top positions are often controlled by one family — which is unfair to other members and bad for democracy. (iii) Money and muscle power: Since parties focus only on winning elections, they nominate candidates who can raise lots of money, sometimes even criminals who can win; rich people and big companies then gain undue influence over party decisions. (iv) Lack of meaningful choice: The decline in ideological differences among parties means voters often get no real alternative, and the same set of leaders keep shifting from one party to another.

3. Suggest some reforms to strengthen parties so that they perform their functions well?

ANSWER Several reforms have been attempted or suggested to strengthen political parties: Recent measures: (i) The Constitution was amended to bring in the anti-defection law, so that an MLA or MP who changes parties loses his or her seat. (ii) The Supreme Court ordered that every candidate must file an affidavit giving details of property and pending criminal cases. (iii) The Election Commission made it necessary for parties to hold organisational elections and file income tax returns. Further suggestions: A law to regulate the internal affairs of parties (maintaining a members’ register, following their own constitution, holding open internal elections and having an independent authority to settle disputes); making it mandatory to give about one-third of tickets to women and to reserve a quota for women in decision-making bodies; and state funding of elections (in kind or cash, based on past votes). Two other ways: people can put pressure on parties through petitions, publicity, agitations, pressure groups, movements and the media; and people themselves can join parties to improve their quality. We must, however, be careful that over-regulation does not become counter-productive.

4. What is a political party?

ANSWER A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. They agree on some policies and programmes for the society with a view to promote the collective good. A party reflects the fundamental political divisions in a society; it is about a part of society and so involves partisanship. A party is known by which part it stands for, which policies it supports and whose interests it upholds. Every political party has three components — the leaders, the active members and the followers.

5. What are the characteristics of a political party?

ANSWER The main characteristics of a political party are: (i) A party is made up of people who come together with the aim of contesting elections and holding power in government. (ii) The members agree on certain policies and programmes framed to promote the collective good of society. (iii) A party takes a side and represents a part of society, so it involves partisanship; it stands for particular interests, policies and sections of people. (iv) Every party has three components — the leaders, the active members and the followers.

6. A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a _____________________.

ANSWER A group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government is called a political party.

7. Match List I (organisations and struggles) with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

List IList II
1. Congress PartyA. National Democratic Alliance
2. Bharatiya Janata PartyB. State party
3. Communist Party of India (Marxist)C. United Progressive Alliance
4. Telugu Desam PartyD. Left Front
1234
(a)CABD
(b)CDAB
(c)CADB
(d)DCAB
ANSWER Correct option: (c) — 1-C, 2-A, 3-D, 4-B. The Congress Party led the United Progressive Alliance (UPA); the Bharatiya Janata Party leads the National Democratic Alliance (NDA); the Communist Party of India (Marxist) was part of the Left Front; and the Telugu Desam Party is a State party.

8. Who among the following is the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party? A. Kanshi Ram B. Sahu Maharaj C. B.R. Ambedkar D. Jotiba Phule

ANSWER Correct option: A. Kanshi Ram. The Bahujan Samaj Party was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram.

9. What is the guiding philosophy of the Bharatiya Janata Party? A. Bahujan Samaj B. Revolutionary democracy C. Integral humanism D. Modernity

ANSWER Correct option: C. Integral humanism. The BJP draws on Deendayal Upadhyaya’s ideas of integral humanism and Antyodaya, along with cultural nationalism (‘Hindutva’).

10. 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? (a) A, B, and C    (b) A and B    (c) B and C    (d) A and C

ANSWER Correct option: (b) A and B. Statements A and B are true, but C is false — parties are a necessary condition for a democracy, and modern democracies cannot function without them.

11. Read the following passage and answer the questions given below:

Muhammad Yunus is a famous economist of Bangladesh. He received several international honours for his efforts to promote economic and social development for the benefit of the poor. He and the Grameen Bank that he started jointly, received the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2006. In February 2007, he decided to launch a political party and contest in the parliamentary elections. His objective was to foster proper leadership, good governance and build a new Bangladesh. He felt that only a political party different from the traditional ones would bring about new political culture. His party would be democratic from the grassroots level.

The launching of the new party, called Nagarik Shakti (Citizens’ Power), has caused a stir among the Bangladeshis. While many welcomed his decision, some did not like it. “Now I think Bangladesh will have a chance to choose between good and bad and eventually have a good government,” said Shahedul Islam, a government official. “That government, we hope, would not only keep itself away from corruption but also make fighting corruption and black money a top priority.”

But leaders of traditional political parties who dominated the country’s politics for decades were apprehensive. “There was no debate (over him) winning the Nobel, but politics is different – very challenging and often controversial,” said a senior leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. Some others were highly critical. They asked why he was rushing into politics. “Is he being planted in politics by mentors from outside the country,” asked one political observer.

Do you think Yunus made a right decision to float a new political party?

ANSWER Yes, Yunus made a justified decision. In a democracy, any group of citizens is free to form a political party, and a new party can offer voters a meaningful choice. As a respected reformer, Yunus could fill the gap left by traditional parties accused of corruption, and provide cleaner, grassroots-based leadership aimed at the welfare of the poor — a legitimate use of democratic rights. (Either view is acceptable if reasoned; this is an opinion-based answer.)

Do you agree with the statements and fears expressed by various people? How do you want this new party organised to make it different from other parties? If you were the one to begin this political party, how would you defend it?

ANSWER The hope expressed by citizens — that a new party could fight corruption and give people a real choice — is reasonable. The fears, that Yunus lacks political experience or is ‘planted’ from outside, are partly understandable but should not by themselves disqualify a new party; every party was once new. How I would organise it: to be genuinely different, the party should have internal democracy — a proper members’ register, regular organisational meetings, open internal elections to top posts, an independent body to settle disputes, transparent funding, and a fair share of tickets to women and weaker sections. How I would defend it: I would argue that the party is needed to overcome the very challenges (dynastic control, money power, no meaningful choice) that plague existing parties, that it is democratic from the grassroots level, and that giving voters a clean, accountable alternative strengthens democracy rather than weakening it.

Extra Practice Questions

Short Answer Type Questions

Q1. Why do we need political parties?

ANSWERWe need political parties because they perform essential functions that representative democracies cannot do without — gathering different views, making and supporting or opposing policies, forming responsible governments and ensuring accountability. Without parties, every candidate would be independent, no one could make policy promises, and no one would be responsible for how the country is run. That is why parties are a necessary condition for democracy.

Q2. What are the criteria for a party to be recognised as a national party?

ANSWERThe Election Commission lays down detailed criteria of votes and seats. A party that secures at least six per cent of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four States, and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha, is recognised as a national party. Recognised parties get a reserved unique election symbol and certain other facilities.

Q3. Distinguish between a national party and a State party.

ANSWERA national party has units in several states across the country and follows the same policies and strategy decided at the national level, meeting the Election Commission’s nationwide votes-and-seats criteria. A State (regional) party is recognised within a State and is commonly referred to as a regional party, though it need not be regional in ideology or outlook. Examples of national parties include the BJP and the Congress, while parties such as the Telugu Desam Party and Biju Janata Dal are State parties.

Q4. What is the anti-defection law, and what has been its effect?

ANSWERThe Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing parties; the law says that if any MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose the seat in the legislature. It was passed because many representatives were defecting to become ministers or for cash rewards. The law has helped bring defection down, but it has also made dissent more difficult, as MPs and MLAs must accept whatever party leaders decide.

Q5. What is meant by a coalition government?

ANSWERIn a multiparty system, when no single party wins a majority on its own, the government is formed by several parties coming together in a coalition. When parties join hands for the purpose of contesting elections and winning power, the grouping is called an alliance or a front, such as the NDA, the UPA or the Left Front in India.

Long Answer Type Questions

Q1. Compare the one-party, two-party and multiparty systems with examples.

ANSWERIn a one-party system, only one party is allowed to control and run the government, as in China where only the Communist Party can rule; this is not a democratic option because it does not permit free competition for power. In a two-party system, power usually changes between two main parties; other parties may exist and win a few seats, but only the two main parties have a serious chance of forming the government — the USA and the UK are examples. In a multiparty system, several parties compete for power and more than two have a reasonable chance of coming to power, on their own strength or in alliance with others, as in India where governments are formed by coalitions. A multiparty system can appear messy and lead to instability, but it allows a wide variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation. No system is ideal for all countries; a party system evolves over a long time depending on a society’s social and regional divisions, history and electoral system.

Q2. Describe the four major challenges faced by political parties in detail.

ANSWERThe first challenge is the lack of internal democracy: power gets concentrated in a few top leaders, parties do not maintain membership registers, hold regular meetings or conduct internal elections, so ordinary members cannot influence decisions and personal loyalty to the leader matters more than party principles. The second is dynastic succession, closely linked to the first: with no transparent procedures, leaders favour people close to them, and top posts are often monopolised by one family, which is unfair to other members and brings inexperienced people to power. The third is the growing role of money and muscle power: because parties focus only on winning, they nominate candidates who can raise huge funds, sometimes even criminals, and rich donors gain undue influence over party policy. The fourth is the lack of a meaningful choice: ideological differences among parties have declined, the same leaders keep shifting between parties, and voters who want genuinely different policies are left with no option. Overcoming these challenges is essential for parties to remain effective instruments of democracy.

Q3. “Political parties are a necessary condition for democracy.” Explain.

ANSWERThe rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies. As societies grew large and complex, they needed an agency to gather different views and present them to the government, to bring representatives together so that a responsible government could be formed, and to support or restrain that government and make or oppose policies. Political parties fulfil all these needs. We can understand their necessity by imagining elections without parties: every candidate would be independent and unable to make policy promises, a government might be formed but its utility would stay uncertain, and no one would be responsible for how the country is run. Even in non-party panchayat elections, villages tend to split into factions putting up rival panels — exactly what a party does. This is why we find parties in almost all countries, big or small, old or new, and why they are a necessary condition for a democracy.

MCQs & Assertion–Reason

1. A political party is a group of people who come together to:

(a) run a business    (b) contest elections and hold power in government    (c) only protest against the government    (d) write the Constitution

2. The three components of a political party are leaders, active members and:

(a) the followers    (b) the bureaucracy    (c) the judiciary    (d) the Election Commission

3. In which country is only the Communist Party allowed to control and run the government?

(a) the USA    (b) the UK    (c) China    (d) India

4. The USA and the UK are examples of a:

(a) one-party system    (b) two-party system    (c) multiparty system    (d) no-party system

5. India has which type of party system?

(a) one-party    (b) two-party    (c) multiparty    (d) no-party

6. The Bahujan Samaj Party was formed in 1984 under the leadership of:

(a) Kanshi Ram    (b) Jawaharlal Nehru    (c) Syama Prasad Mukherjee    (d) P.A. Sangma

7. Changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected to a different party is called:

(a) coalition    (b) defection    (c) partisanship    (d) recognition

8. To be recognised as a national party, a party must win at least how many seats in the Lok Sabha (with 6% of votes in four States)?

(a) two    (b) four    (c) six    (d) ten

9. The NDA, the UPA and the Left Front are examples of:

(a) State parties    (b) one-party systems    (c) alliances or fronts    (d) pressure groups

10. Which of the following is NOT one of the four challenges faced by political parties?

(a) lack of internal democracy    (b) dynastic succession    (c) money and muscle power    (d) too much ideological difference

Answer key: 1-(b), 2-(a), 3-(c), 4-(b), 5-(c), 6-(a), 7-(b), 8-(b), 9-(c), 10-(d).

For each Assertion–Reason question, choose: (A) Both true and the Reason correctly explains the Assertion; (B) Both true but the Reason is not the correct explanation; (C) Assertion true, Reason false; (D) Assertion false, Reason true.

A-R 1. Assertion: Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.

Reason: Parties gather different views, form responsible governments and ensure accountability that representative democracy needs.

A-R 2. Assertion: A one-party system is a good democratic option.

Reason: A democratic system must allow at least two parties to compete in elections and give competing parties a fair chance to come to power.

A-R 3. Assertion: The anti-defection law has made dissent within parties more difficult.

Reason: Under the law, MPs and MLAs must accept whatever the party leaders decide or risk losing their seats.

A-R 4. Assertion: Parties often fail to offer a meaningful choice to voters.

Reason: There has been a decline in the ideological differences among parties in many parts of the world.

A-R 5. Assertion: Dynastic succession is good for internal democracy in parties.

Reason: When top positions are controlled by one family, people without adequate experience or popular support come to occupy positions of power.

Answer key: 1-(A), 2-(D), 3-(A), 4-(A), 5-(D).

Exam Tips & Common Mistakes

How to score full marks in this chapter

Memorise the seven functions of parties and the four challenges as point-wise lists — these are the most repeated questions. Learn the exact definitions of political party, partisan, defection and affidavit for one-mark questions. For the party-system question, always give a clear three-way comparison (one-party / two-party / multiparty) with the textbook’s examples (China; USA & UK; India). When asked about reforms, separate measures already taken (anti-defection law, affidavits, EC orders) from further suggestions (internal regulation, women’s tickets, state funding) plus the two other ways (public pressure and people joining parties).

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Saying parties are unnecessary — the chapter stresses parties are a necessary condition for democracy.
  • Confusing a two-party system (USA, UK) with a multiparty system (India).
  • Mixing up an alliance/front (NDA, UPA, Left Front) with a single party.
  • Forgetting that a State party need not be regional in ideology or outlook.
  • Wrongly stating the national-party criterion — it is 6% votes in four States and at least four Lok Sabha seats.
  • Listing only one or two challenges — remember all four (internal democracy, dynastic succession, money/muscle power, lack of meaningful choice).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Chapter 4 of Class 10 Civics (Democratic Politics II) about?

Chapter 4, Political Parties, explains what a political party is, why democracies need parties, the functions they perform, the difference between one-party, two-party and multiparty systems, national and State parties in India, the four challenges parties face, and the reforms being attempted to strengthen them.

What are the three types of party systems?

The three types are the one-party system (only one party can rule, e.g. China), the two-party system (power changes between two main parties, e.g. the USA and the UK), and the multiparty system (several parties compete and form coalitions, e.g. India).

What is the heading of the exercise in Class 10 Civics Chapter 4?

The end-of-chapter exercise in Democratic Politics II Chapter 4 is headed Exercises and contains 11 questions, including matching, MCQ-type and a passage-based question, all answered on this page.

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