Chap 3.6 : Political Parties www.cbse.

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File Revision Date : 1 July 2019

CBSE Previous Year Exams Questions Exam 2019-2020
CLASS : 10th
CHAPTER 3.6
SUB : Social Science
Unit 3 : Democratic Politics - II
For 15 Years Exams Chapter-wise Question Bank
visit www.cbse.online or whatsapp at 8905629969
Political Parties

ONE MARK QUESTIONS

1. Why is one party political system not considered a good democratic system?
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
Because one party system has no democratic option
2. Why did India adopt multi-party system?
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
India adopted multi-party system because:
a. India is a large country and has social and geographical diverges.
b. It is easy to absorb different social and geographical diversities in a multi¬party systems.
3. Name the alliance formed by the Congress Party.
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
4. Which party was the principal opposition party in Lok Sabha in 2004? [CBSE 2016]
Ans :
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
5. Name any one political party that has national level political organization but not recognized as the national political
party.
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
Samajwadi Party/Samata Party/Rashtriya Janata Dal.
6. What is meant by ‘Political Party’ ? [CBSE 2015]
Ans :
A political party is a group of people come together to contest elections to hold power in the government.
7. What is the guiding philosophy of Bharatiya Janata Party?
Ans : [CBSE 2015]
a. Cultural nationalism
b. India’s ancient culture and values
8. What is the requirement laid down by the Election Commission for a political party to be recognized as a ’State Party’
? [CBSE 2015]
Ans :
A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a state and wins
at least two seats is recognized as a state party.
9. Name any two regional parties of West Bengal.
Ans : [CBSE 2015]
Two regional parties of West Bengal are:
a. Marxist Forward Bloc
b. Trinamool Congress
10. If all the decisions of a political party are made by a single family and all other members are neglected, then what
challenge is being faced by that party?
Ans : [CBSE 2015]
Challenge of dynastic succession.
11. Why do political parties involve partisanship?
Ans : [CBSE 2015]
Because the parties are a part of the society and thus they involve partisanship.

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 THREE MARKS QUESTIONS

12. The Bahujan Samaj Party stands for what cause?

Ans : [CBSE 2011]
Securing the interest of the oppressed people.
13. Analyse the three components of a political party.
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
or
Describe the three components of a political party.
Ans : [CBSE 2014]
Three components of a political party are:
a. Leaders
b. Active members
c. Followers
14. What is meant by a ‘national political party’ ? State the conditions required to be a national political party. Ans :
[CBSE 2016]
National political party have units in the various states, they follow the same policies, programmes and strategy that is
decided at the national level.
Conditions required:
a. A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in general elections of Lok Sabha or assembly elections in four
states.
b. Wins at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha.

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Chap 3.6 : Political Parties www.rava.org.in

15. What is a political party ? State any two points of the ideology of Bharatiya Janta Party?
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
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.
Ideology of BJP:
a. Wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India.
b. A uniform civil code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion.
c. Cultural nationalism.
16. Describe about the ideology and organization of Bahujan Samaj Party. [CBSE 2016] Ans :
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed in 1984 under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. Its main aim is that it seeks
to represent and secure power for the Bahujan Samaj which includes the dalits and adivasis, OBCs and religious
minorities.
17. What is meant by regional political party? State the conditions required to be recognized as a ‘regional political party’.
[CBSE 2016]
Ans :
A regional party is a party that is present in only some states.
Conditions required for a party to be recognized as a regional political party are:
a. A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a
state.
b. Wins at least two seats in the Legislative Assembly.
18. “Nearly every one of the state parties wants to get an opportunity to be a part of one or the other national level
coalition.” Support the statement with arguments.
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
State parties seeking national level coalition: Before general election of 2014, in three general elections no one national
party was able to secure on its own a majority in Lok Sabha. With the result, the national parties were compelled to
form alliances with state or regional 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. This has contributed to the strengthening of
federalism and democracy.
19. Which three challenges do you feel are being faced by political parties in India ? Give your Opinion.
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
The three challenges faced by political parties in India are:
a. Lack of internal democracy.
b. Challenge of dynastic succession.
c. Growing role of money and muscle power.
d. Often parties do not seem to offer a meaningful choice to the voters.
20. Describe any three main features of Two-Party system.
Ans : [CBSE 2015]

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 Main features of two-party system:
a. Power usually changes between two parties, several other parties may exist.
b. In such system, people get clear choice,
c. The party that wins majority forms the government and the other sits in opposition.
d. Strong opposition is good for democracy.
e. Prompt decisions are taken and implemented.
f. More development and less corruption.
21. What is a multi-party system? Why has India adopted a multi-party system? Explain.
Ans : [CBSE 2015]
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, we call it a multiparty system.
India adopted a Multi-party system because:
a. There is social and geographical diversity in India.
b. India is such a large country which is not easily absorbed by two or three parties.
c. The system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation.
22. How ‘do money and muscle power play an important role in elections? Explain.
Ans : [CBSE 2015]
Money and muscle power play an important role in elections because:
a. Role of money and muscle power in parties especially during elections is growing.
b. Parties tend to nominate those candidates who have or can raise lots of money.
c. Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have influence on the policies and decisions of the
party.
d. In some cases, parties support criminals who can win election.
e. Democrats all over the world are worried over the increasing role of rich people and big companies in democratic
politics. (Any three)
23. “Serious efforts were made by the legal organizations to reform political parties in India.” Support the statement.
Ans : [CBSE 2015]
Efforts made by the legal organizations to reform political parties in India:
a. To check defection, the Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLA’s and MPs from changing parties.
b. The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminal, by making it mandatory to
produce an affidavit giving details of property and criminal cases pending.
c. The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their organizational
election and file their income tax returns.
24. Name any six ‘regional political parties’ of the four southern states of India’[CBSE 2014] Ans :
Tamil Nadu—AIADMK (All India Anna Dravida

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Chap 3.6 : Political Parties www.cbse.online

Munnetra Kazhagam), DMK Andhra Pradesh—Telugu Desam, Kerala—Congress (Joseph)

Puducherry—AINRC (All India N. R. Congress)
25. Name the ‘regional political parties’ that are predominant in Jharkhand, Maharashtra and Odisha respectively with
their symbols. [CBSE 2014]
Ans :
Jharkhand—JMM—Jharkhand Mukti Morcha Maharashtra—INC—Indian National Congress Odisha—
BJD—Biju Janata Dal.
26. State the conditions as laid down by the Election Commission to recognize a ‘state party1 and ‘national party’.
[CBSE 2014]
Ans :
The difference between a state and a national party can be identified as follows:
a. In a state party, the party members aim to highlight the regional interests. On the other hand, a national party
gives due importance to national interests.
b. A state party can contest in elections only in a particular state, whereas a national party can contest in elections
all across the country.
c. Example: BJP and Congress are national parties, whereas Akali Dal and Trinamool Congress are state level
parties.

NO NEED TO PURCHASE ANY BOOKS

For session 2019-2020 free pdf will be available at
www.cbse.online for
1. Previous 15 Years Exams Chapter-wise Question
Bank
2. Previous Ten Years Exam Paper (Paper-wise).
3. 20 Model Paper (All Solved).
4. NCERT Solutions
All material will be solved and free pdf. It will be
provided by 30 September and will be updated regularly.

27. What is meant by ‘defection’ in democracy? Explain.

Ans : [CBSE 2014]
a. Detection in politics means moving of a person from one party to another party for some personal benefit. It means
changing party allegiance from the party on which a person got elected to a different part
b. It happens when a legislature, after having been elected from a particular party leaves it and joins in other party.
c. The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLA’s and MP’s from changing parties. Now the law says
that if any MLA and MP changes parties, he or she will lose seat in the legislature.
d. The new law has brought defection down and has made dissent even more difficult.
28. Name the national political party which espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities. Mention
any four features of that party.
Ans : [CBSE 2013]
The national political party which espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities is the

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 Indian National Congress.
Four features of this party are listed below:
a. Founded in 1885.
b. Dominated Indian politics, both at the national and state levels, for several decades after India’s independence.
c. Ruling party at the centre till 1977 and then from 1980 to 1989. After 1989, its support declined.
d. A centrist party (neither rightist nor leftist) in its ideological orientation.

FIVE MARKS QUESTIONS

29. Describe any five major functions of political parties performed in a democracy.
Ans : [CBSE 2018]
Ans :
In a democracy political parties performed the following major functions:
1. Parties contest elections: In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by
political parties. Parties select their candidates in different ways. In India top party leaders choose candidates for
contesting elections.
2. Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them. 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. A government is expected to base its policies on the line taken by the Ruling party.
3. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. Formally laws are debated and passed in the legislature.
But since most of the members belong to a party, they go by the direction of the party leadership, irrespective of
their person ’ opinions.
4. Parties form and run governments. Parties recruit leaders, train them and then make them ministers to run the
government in the way they want.
5. Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power by voicing different views
and criticising government for its failure or wrong policies.
6. Parties shape public opinion. They raise and highlight issues. Parties sometimes also launch movements for the
resolution ,of problems faced by people. Often opinions in the society crystallise on the lines parties take.
7. Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments.
30. Examine any two institutional amendments made by different institutions to reform political parties and their leaders.
[CBSE 2016]
or
Elucidate some of the recent efforts taken in our country to reform political parties and its leaders.
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
a. The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLA’s and MP’s from changing parties. This

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Chap 3.6 : Political Parties www.rava.org.in

was done because many elected representatives were indulging in defection in order to become ministers or for cash
rewards. Now, if any MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose the seat in the legislature.
b. The Supreme Court passed an order to reduce the influence of money and criminals. Now, it is mandatory for
every candidate who contests elections to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending
against him. The new system has made a lot of information available to the public. But there is no system of check,
if the information given by the candidates is true.
c. The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their organizational
elections and file their income tax returns.
d. The parties have started doing so but sometimes it is mere formality. It is not clear if this step has led to greater
internal democracy in political parties.
31. Suggest and explain any five measures to reform political parties. [CBSE 2016]
or
Suggest any five effective measures to reform political parties.
Ans : [CBSE 2015,2012]
Effective measures to reform political parties are :
a. A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties.
b. It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its members.
c. It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets; about l/3rd to its women
candidates.
d. There should be a quota for women in the decision making bodies of the party.
e. There should be state funding of elections.
f. The government should give parties money to support their election expenses in kind, for example, petrol,
paper, telephone, etc., or in cash.
g. Vote casting should be made compulsory in each election.
h. Data regarding caste and religion, OBC, SC, ST should not be utilized during election period in any form.
32. “Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.” Analyse the statement with examples.
[CBSE 2016]
or
Why can’t modern democracies exist without the political parties? Explain any four reasons.
Ans : [CBSE II, 2015, 2011]
“Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy” because:
1. Without political parties, democracies cannot exist.
2. If we do not have political parties; in such a situation every candidate in elections will be independent.
3. No one will be able to make any promises to the people about any major policy changes.

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 4. The government may be formed but its utility will remain uncertain.
5. Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituency for what they do in their locality.
6. But no one will be responsible for how the country will run. .
7. The role of opposition party in a democracy necessitates the existence of political parties.
8. As societies become large and complex they also need some agencies to gather different views on various
issues and to present these to the government, that’s why political parties are needed.
33. “All over the world, people express their dissatisfaction with the failure of political parties to perform their functions
well.” Analyse the statement with arguments.
Ans : [CBSE 2016]
Popular dissatisfaction and criticism has focused on four areas in the working of political parties. Political parties need
to face and overcome these challenges in order to remain effective instruments of democracy.
a. Lack of internal democracy within parties.
b. Dynastic succession.
c. Growing role of money and muscle power in parties.
d. There is not a meaningful choice to the voter.
34. “No party system is ideal for all countries and all situations.” Justify the statement with arguments. Ans : [CBSE
2016]
No party system is ideal for all countries and all situations:
a. Party system is not something, any country can choose.
b. It evolves over a long time depending on the nature of the society.
c. Its social and regional divisions, its history of politics and its system of elections.
d. Each country develops a party system that is conditioned by its special circumstances.
35. What is meant by a political party? Describe the three components of a political party.
Ans : [CBSE 2015]
Political Party is a group of people who came together to contest elections and hold power in the government. Three
components of a political party are:
a. The leaders
b. The active members
c. The followers
36. Describe any five major functions of political parties.
Ans : [CBSE 2015]
Functions of political parties:
a. Parties contest elections.
b. They put forward policies and programmes.
c. Parties play a decisive role in making laws.
d. Parties form and run government.
e. Defeated parties in the election play its role of opposition to the parties in power.
f. Parties shape public opinion.
g. Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes.

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37. “Lack of internal democracy within parties is the major challenge to political parties all over the world.” Analyse the
statement.
Ans : [CBSE 2016, 2015]
There are various reasons for lack of democracy within the political parties in India:
a. Concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top.
b. Details of membership are not registered in the parties.
c. No organizational meetings.
d. No internal elections for membership within the party.
e. Top leaders have unanimous power of decision making.
38. “Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the political parties.” Analyse the statement.
Ans : [CBSE 2015]
Dynastic succession is one of the most serious challenges before the political parties because:
a. Most political parties do not practice open and transparent procedures for their functioning.
b. There are few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party.
c. In many parties, the top positions are always controlled by members of one family.
d. This practice is unfair to other members of that party and is also bad for a democracy.
e. People who do not have adequate experience or popular support come to occupy position of power.
39. Name the national political party which gets inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values. Mention four features
of that party.
Ans : [CBSE 2013]
‘Bharatiya Janata Party’ (BJP) gets inspiration from India’s ancient culture and values.
Four important features:
a. Cultural nationalism or ‘Hindutva’ is an important element in its conception of Indian nationhood and politics.
b. The party wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India.
c. A uniform civil code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion and ban on religious
conversions.
d. Its support base increased substantially in the 1990s.
40. Explain two functions each of the ruling party as well of the opposition parties.
Ans : [CBSE 2012]
Functions of the ruling parties:
a. They play a major role in making laws for the country.
b. They form the government and run the country.
c. They recruit leaders, train them and then make ministers to run the government.
Functions of the opposition parties:
a. They oppose the government by voicing different views.

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 b. They criticise government for its failure and wrong policies.
c. They mobilise opposition to the government.
41. How do political parties help in shaping public opinion? Explain. [CBSE 2012] Ans :
Role of political parties in shaping public opinion as:
a. They raise and highlight issues.
b. They form pressure groups as an extension.
c. They launch movement for the resolution of problems faced by the people.
d. They have lakhs of members and activists.
42. What do you understand by the bi-party system? Write its one merit and one demerit.
Ans : [CBSE 2012]
Bi-party system:
a. In some countries, power usually changes between two main parties. It is also known as two party system.
b. In this system, the government is formed by one party and the other plays the role of opposition.
Merit: This system allows stability of government as no coalition is there. Demerit: In this system, only two main
parties have a serious chance of winning majority seats to form the government.
43. What is a multi-party system? Explain merits and demerits of multi-party system.
Ans : [CBSE 2012]
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, we call it a multi-party system.
Merits:
a. This system allows a variety of interests and opinions to enjoy political representation.
b. People can make a choice between several candidates.
Demerits:
a. No one party is likely to gain power alone. Therefore, it leads to difficulty in formation of government. ‘
b. Leads to political instability and often appears to be very messy.
44. What is meant by national parties? State the criteria for recognizing a party as National and State party. Ans :
[CBSE 2012]
Democracies that follow a federal system all over the world tend to have two kinds of political parties— Parties that
are present in only one of the federal units and parties that are present in several or all units of the federation. Those
parties which are countrywide parties are called national parties.
National and State Parties:
a. A party that secures at least six percent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a state
and wins at least two seats is recognized as a state party.
b. A party that secures at least six percent 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 recognized as a national party.

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Chap 3.6 : Political Parties www.rava.org.in

45. Explain any four problem areas in the working of

political parties. NO NEED TO PURCHASE ANY BOOKS
Ans : [CBSE 2012] For session 2019-2020 free pdf will be available at
a. Lack of internal democracy: The first challenge www.cbse.online for
is lack of internal democracy within parties. 1. Previous 15 Years Exams Chapter-wise Question
Concentration of power in one or few leaders at Bank
the top. 2. Previous Ten Years Exam Paper (Paper-wise).
b. Dynastic succession: Favour people close to them 3. 20 Model Paper (All Solved).
or even their family members. In many parties, 4. NCERT Solutions
the top positions are always controlled by All material will be solved and free pdf. It will be
members of one family. provided by 30 September and will be updated regularly.
c. Money and muscle power: The third challenge is
about growing role of money and muscle power in
parties, especially during elections.
d. Meaningful choice: The fourth challenge is that
very often parties do not seem to offer a
meaningful choice to the voters.
46. Why is there a lack of internal democracy within the
political parties in India? Explain with examples.
Ans : [CBSE 2012]
There are various reasons for lack of democracy within
the political parties in India:
a. Concentration of power in one or few leaders at
the top.
b. Details of membership are not registered in the
parties.
c. No organizational meetings.
d. No internal elections for membership within the
party.
e. Top leaders have unanimous power of decision
making.
47. “Political parties play a major role in democracy.”
Explain any five points to justify this statement.
[CBSE 2012]
or
“Political parties are rightly called the government
in disguise.” Justify the statement in reference to
democratic politics by giving five arguments.
Ans : [CBSE 2012]
The political parties play an important role in
democracy as:
1. Parties contest election: In most democracies
elections are fought mainly among the candidates
put up by political parties.
2. Parties put forward different policies and
programmes and the voters choose from them.
3. Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a
country.
4. Parties shape public opinions. They raise and
highlight issues.
5. Parties form and run governments.
6. Role of opposition: Opposition role is important
in democracy as it voices different views and
criticizes government for its failures or wrong
policies.
7. Parties provide people access to government
machinery and welfare schemes implemented by
governments.

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