CBSE Class 10 SST: Political Parties — Political Science Notes 2026

Need for Political Parties

• Political party: organised group of people with common political agenda; contests elections and forms government
• Without parties: each candidate would decide own policies; no collective agenda; accountability difficult
• Parties link government and society; mobilise voters; represent different sections; aggregate interests

Functions of Political Parties

• Contesting elections: put forward candidates; campaign; represent diverse interests
• Making policy: when in power, translate manifesto to policy; when in opposition, critique government policies
• Educating public: parties shape political opinion; communicate ideology; mobilise citizens around issues

National Parties in India

• A party is 'national' if recognised by Election Commission; criteria: 6% votes in 4 states + 4 seats in LS; or 2% seats nationally
• Major national parties (2024): BJP, INC, BSP, CPI(M), NCP, AITC; recently recognised NPP, JD(U)
• BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party): right-centre; Hindutva ideology; ruling national party since 2014

State Parties

• State party: recognised in 1–2 states; below national threshold; important in coalition politics
• Examples: Shiv Sena (Maharashtra), DMK (Tamil Nadu), TDP (Andhra Pradesh), AAP (Delhi, originally)
• Coalition governments: national parties often need state party support at Centre; power sharing

Challenges to Political Parties

• Money and criminal power: wealthy and criminal candidates get party tickets; good candidates lose
• Internal democracy: parties are controlled by top leaders; ordinary members have little say; dynastic tendency
• Ideological differences blurring: parties compete for same vote banks; shift positions based on electoral convenience

Party Reform in India

• ECI (Election Commission of India): model code of conduct; campaign finance disclosure (Form 26)
• RTI for parties: courts have suggested parties should be under RTI; parties have resisted
• Anti-defection law (52nd Amendment 1985): member cannot vote against party whip; reduces floor-crossing but limits conscience voting

CBSE Exam Tips

• Political parties: 3–5 marks; functions (3–4 marks), difference national vs state (2 marks)
• Challenges: money power, criminal elements, dynastic succession; write with examples from Indian politics
• Two national parties + one state party: know 3 parties each with founding year, ideology, symbol