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Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties

Previous Year Questions 2024

Q1: How do Political Parties ensure accountability to the public? Choose the most suitable option from the following.    (CBSE 2024)
(a)
Through Press Conferences
(b) Through Social Media Campaigns
(c) Through encouraging Partisanship
(d) Through Elections and Voter Support

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Ans: (d)
Elections are the primary means by which political parties are held accountable to the public. Voters are able to assess the candidates' performance and decide whether or not to endorse them based on their deeds and statements.


Q2: Describe any three functions of the Political Parties.    (CBSE 2024)

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Ans: Functions of Political Parties are: 
(1) They contest election.
(2) They put forward different policies and programmes.
(3) Parties form and run the government.
(4) Parties that lose in the election play the role of opposition.
(5) They shape public opinion.
(6) They provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes.

Previous Year Questions 2023

Q3: Which one of the following countries has two party system?     (2023)
(a) 
China
(b) 
Russia
(c) 
America
(d) 
India

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Ans: (c)
The United States operates under a two-party system, primarily dominated by the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. This means that most elections are primarily contested between these two parties, making it easier for voters to choose between two distinct options. In contrast, other countries like China and Russia have different political systems, and India has multiple parties, which is known as a multi-party system.


Q4: Explain the merits of Multi Party System.     (2023)

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Ans: The merits of a multi-party system are as follows:
(i) It allows various intersets and opinions to enjoy political participation.
(ii) In a diverse country, this system cover all the aspects of different sections of society


Q5: Analyze the need of Political Parties in the Democracy. (CBSE 2023)
OR
Describe the roles of Political Parties in India. (CBSE 2014)

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Ans: The need of political parties in a democracy are as follows: 
(1) Parties contest elections. In most democracies, elections are fought mainly among the candidates put up by political parties. 
(2) Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. They mould public opinion. 
(3) Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments.

Previous Year Questions 2022

Q6: Differentiate between ruling and opposition parties.     (Term-ll, 2021-22)

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Ans: The party which gets elected by winning the elections and forms a government is the ruling party. Playing opposition : A party which does not get majority or does not come under the majority coalition, needs to play the role of opposition


Q7: Why has India adopted a multi-party system? Explain.     (Term-ll, 2021-22, Foreign 2017, Al 2016)

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Ans: India is a democratic country and has adopted a multi-party system because of the social and geographical diversity of the nation which cannot be easily accommodated in one or two political parties. Through this system, variety of interests and opinions could enjoy different political representation


Q8: How do political parties shape public opinion?    (Term-ll, 2021-22)

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Ans: Political parties shape public opinion in the following ways: 
(i) They highlight and raise issues. 
(ii) Parties have lakhs of members spread all over the country. Often pressure groups are an extension of political parties, among different sections of the society. They help in taking up issues and forming public opinion. 
(iii) Sometimes, parties launch movements for solving the problems faced by the people


Q9: Explain how the rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies.     (Term-ll, 2021-22)

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Ans: When societies develop and expand it becomes, more complex in terms of social, economic and political relations. They need political relations, and political parties to sustain governance. Political parties tend to provide the base on which the policies of representative government is built. They gather public views on various important issues, articulate them and then present them to the government. Parties bring various representatives together, support or restrain the government and its apparatus, develop policies and justify or oppose them in the public domain depending on their political ideology. These conditions are necessary for healthy development or representative democracies. Hence, it can be said that political parties are essential for this purpose.


Q10: Explain any three features of a 'one-party system'.    (Term-ll, 2021-22)

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Ans: Three features of one party system are as follows : 
(i) Only one party is allowed to control and rule the government. There is no change of government and power is concentrated in the hands of the party leader.
(ii) In this system electoral politics does not permit free competition for power.
(iii) There is absence of the checks and balances provided by democratic government.


Q11: "Political parties have become omnipresent in democracies all over the world." Explain the statement with examples.     (Term-ll, 2021-22)

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Ans: We need political parties because of the functions that the political parties perform:
(i) They contest in elections.
(ii) They put forward different policies and programme for the betterment of society.
(iii) They play a decisive role in the making of laws that affect each of us.
(iv) They form and run the government.
(v) They play the role of opposition to the ruling party.
(vi) They shape public opinion, as they raise and highlight issues.
(vii) They provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by the government.


Q12: Describe the role of political parties in Indian democracy.    (Term-ll, 2021-22 C, 2020 C)

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Ans: Indian democracy has a multi-party system, political parties perform a series of functions to strengthen our democracy in the following manners :
(i) Contesting elections : Political parties contest elections; A political party nominates its candidate for the electoral contest in various constituencies. This provides a variety of choice of personalities for the people to vote for.
(ii) Policies : Political parties put forward different policies and programmes so that the voters can choose from amongst them. A political party brings a large number of similar opinions under one umbrella. These opinions are channelised to form policies and programmes. The policies and programmes of the ruling party generally become the government policies.
(iii) Making law : Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for the country that benefits the v/hole population.
(iv) Playing opposition : A party which does not get majority or does not come under the majority coalition, needs to play the role of opposition. This forms the basis of checks and balances in a democracy.
(v) Shaping public opinion: Political parties shape public opinion. They do so by raising and highlighting issues in the legislature and in the media.
(vi) Providing access to government machinery: Political parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments. Parties need to be responsive to people’s needs and demands thus bring good governance. 

Political parties are as easily one of the most visible institutions in a democracy. For most ordinary citizens, democracy is equal to political parties.


Q13: "There are various reforms taken to strengthen parties in India so that they perform their function well." Explain the statement with examples.    (Term-II,2021-22)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans:  To strengthen political parties in India and enhance their functioning, several reforms have been implemented.
Here are some examples:
(i) Transparency and Accountability: Requiring political parties to disclose their funding sources and expenditures to ensure transparency and accountability. For example, the Election Commission of India has introduced guidelines for parties to submit annual audited reports.
(ii) Internal Democracy: Encouraging parties to adopt internal democratic processes such as holding regular elections for party leadership positions. This promotes inclusivity and fairness within the party structure.
(iii) Anti-defection Law: Implementing the Anti-defection law to prevent elected representatives from switching parties indiscriminately, thus promoting stability and party discipline.
(iv) State Funding of Elections: Providing state funding for elections to reduce the influence of money power and promote a level playing field for all parties, especially smaller ones with limited resources.
(v) Electoral Reforms: Introducing reforms like electronic voting machines (EVMs) to ensure free and fair elections, reducing malpractices and enhancing the credibility of the electoral process.
(vi) Strengthening Election Commission: Empowering the Election Commission to regulate and oversee the conduct of elections impartially, ensuring that parties adhere to the set guidelines and rules.
These reforms aim to strengthen political parties in India, enabling them to fulfill their functions effectively and serve the interests of the public better.

Previous Year Questions 2021

Q14: Read the source given below and answer the questions that follow:    (2021 C)
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. This is the case in India as well. There are some countrywide parties, which are called 'national parties'. These parties have their units in various states. But by and large, all these units follow the same policies, programmes and strategy that is decided at the national level.
Every party in the country has to register with the Election Commission. While the Commission treats all parties equally, it offers some special facilities to large and established parties. These parties are given a unique symbol - only the official candidates of that party can use that election symbol. Parties that get this privilege and some other special facilities are ‘recognised’ by the Election Commission for this purpose. That is why these parties are called, 'recognised political parties'. The Election Commission has laid down detailed criteria of the proportion of votes and seats that a party must get in order to be a recognised party. A party that secures at least 6 percent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least two seats is recognised as a State party. A party that secures at least six percent of 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.
Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:

(i) Which one of the following is a National party?
(a)
Bharatiya Janata Party
(b) Samajwadi Party
(c) Shiv Sena
(d) Shiromani Akali Dal

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: (a) 
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is recognized as a national party in India because it has a presence in multiple states and follows a unified policy and strategy set at the national level. It meets the criteria laid out by the Election Commission, which includes securing a specific percentage of votes and winning a certain number of seats in elections. In contrast, the other options, like the Samajwadi Party, Shiv Sena, and Shiromani Akali Dal, are primarily focused on specific states and do not have the same national reach.

(ii) Which of the following is not a regional party?
(a) 
Jharkhand Mukti Morcha
(b) Asom Gana Parishad
(c) Indian National Congress
(d) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam

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Ans: (c)
The Indian National Congress (INC) is not a regional party because it operates across the entire country and has units in multiple states. In contrast, the other options like Jharkhand Mukti Morcha, Asom Gana Parishad, and Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are regional parties that primarily focus on specific areas or states in India.

(iii) Where does every political party have to register in India?
(a) 
Government of India
(b) NITI Aayog
(c) Election Commission
(d) Law Commisssion

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Ans: (c)
In India, every political party must register with the Election Commission. This ensures that the party is recognized officially and can participate in elections. The Election Commission regulates the conduct of elections and maintains a fair electoral process in the country.

(iv) When a party that secures at least six per cent of total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats of Lok Sabha, it is recognised as a :
(a) 
Regional Party
(b) National Party
(c) Pressure Group
(d) Business Organisation

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Ans: (b)
A party is recognized as a National Party in India if it secures at least 6% of the total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states and wins at least four seats in the Lok Sabha. This recognition allows the party to have certain privileges, like using a unique election symbol across the country.

Previous Year Questions 2020

Q15: Give one technical term for the following statement: "A person who is strongly committed to a party or group."  (2020 C)

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Ans: Partisan 


Q16: Describe the role of political parties in Indian democracy.    (Term-ll, 2021-22 C, 2020 C)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: Indian democracy has a multi-party system, political parties perform a series of functions to strengthen our democracy in the following manners :
(i) Contesting elections : Political parties contest elections; A political party nominates its candidate for the electoral contest in various constituencies. This provides a variety of choice of personalities for the people to vote for.
(ii) Policies : Political parties put forward different policies and programmes so that the voters can choose from amongst them. A political party brings a large number of similar opinions under one umbrella. These opinions are channelised to form policies and programmes. The policies and programmes of the ruling party generally become the government policies.
(iii) Making law : Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for the country that benefits the v/hole population.
(iv) Playing opposition : A party which does not get majority or does not come under the majority coalition, needs to play the role of opposition. This forms the basis of checks and balances in a democracy.
(v) Shaping public opinion: Political parties shape public opinion. They do so by raising and highlighting issues in the legislature and in the media.
(vi) Providing access to government machinery: Political parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments. Parties need to be responsive to people’s needs and demands thus bring good governance. 

Political parties are as easily one of the most visible institutions in a democracy. For most ordinary citizens, democracy is equal to political parties.


Q17: Define the term 'Political Party'. Explain with examples the need for political parties in India.   (2020)

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Ans: Political parties: A political party is a group of people who come together to contest elections and hold power in the government. Need of Political Parties in India:
(i) The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies.
(ii) As societies became large and complex, they also needed some agency to gather different views on various issues and to present these to the government.
(iii) They needed some ways, to bring various representatives together so that a responsible government could be formed.
(iv) They needed a mechanism to support or restrain the government, make policies, justify or oppose them.
(v) Political parties fulfill these needs that every representative government has.


Q18: Correct the following statement and rewrite it: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed under the leadership of Mayawati.    (2020)

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Ans: Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) was formed under the leadership of Kanshi Ram. 


Q19: Suggest any one way to make political parties more responsive to people’s needs and demands. (CBSE 2020, 15)

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Ans: Political parties can be made more responsive through organised petitions, agitations and publicity by various groups. 
Explanation: This shall make political parties pay more attention to people’s needs to secure their support.


Q20: Suggest any one way to promote public participation in political parties for enhancing the quality of democracy. (CBSE 2020)

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Ans: Following are the ways in which public participation in political parties can be promoted: 
(1) Parties should make their election process more transparent and elect more candidates from among the common people. 
(2) Various platforms like social media can be used to allocate them small responsibilities to maintain their interest in party activities.

Previous Year Questions 2019

Q21: Explain the three components of a political party.      (CBSE Delhi 2019 (32/1/2) 

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: 

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties
The three components of a political party are as follows:

  • The Leaders: The leaders are the ones who hold positions of power at various levels in the sphere of politics. They belong to different political parties. The leaders of the ruling party are responsible for the impact of various policies and processes and address issues of the people time and again.
  • The Active members: Political parties comprise lakhs of members and political activists across the entire nation. They play an important role in promoting the agenda of the party including a focus on issues and various policies and party leadership.
  • The Followers: The followers of a political party are the supporters of the ideas and agenda of that particular political party. They are the citizens of the general public who strongly believe in the ideas and approaches of the party and extend their support to the party, especially during elections.

Note: A political party is a group of people with similar ideologies who come together to form an organization in order to contest elections and hold power in the government.


Q22: How are Political parties recognised as regional and National parties in India?    (CBSE Delhi 2019)

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Ans: India has a multi-party system, where political parties are classified as national, state or regional level parties. All parties are registered with the Election Commission.
The criterion for Recognition by The Election Commission as national or state-level parties.

National Party
(i) A party that secures at least six per cent of 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 part.
(ii) Now, India has seven recognised national parties.
(iii) Indian National Congress, Bhartiya Janta Party.

State Party
(i) A party that secures at least 6 per cent of the total votes in an election to the Legislative Assembly of a State and wins at least two seats is recognised as a State party.
(ii) There are 54, state recognised parties in India.
(iii) Biju Janta Dal, Mizo National Front


Q23: Define the two-party system. Explain its advantages and disadvantages. (CBSE 2019)

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Ans: Two party system: In a democratic system power usually changes between two main parties, several other parties may exists but only the two main parties have a serious chance of winning majority of seats to form government is known as Two Party System.
Advantages: 
(1) Several other parties contest election. 
(2) Clarity of manifestoes and programs. 
Disadvantages: 
(1) Limited choice to the voters. 
(2) Limited representation.

Previous Year Questions 2018

Q24: Political parties fill political offices and exercise political power. But they do this by performing a series of important functions. Describe any five of them.  [CBSE 2018]
Or 
Describe the role of political parties in a democratic state. [CBSE 2017-18]

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans:

  • In democracies, elections are contested by the political parties by putting up their candidates.
  • Political parties put forward their programmes before the voters at the time of elections in the form of a manifesto.
  • Laws are passed according to the directions of the ruling party.
  • The political party or a group of parties that gets the majority in the legislature form the government. Iol Parliamentary democracy that government is known by the name of the party i.e., BJP government.
  • The parties that lose elections, play the role of opposition to the government. They criticise the government for its failure and wrong policies.
  • Political parties raise and highlight different issues of public importance. Thus, they help in shaping- public opinion.
  • Ordinary citizens approach party leaders to get their grievances redressed. For them, it is easy to approach a party leader than a government officer.


Q25: Illustrate the situations which display lack of internal democracy within a political party. (CBSE 2018)

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Ans: Situations which display lack of internal democracy within a political party: 
(1) Parties do not keep membership registers, do not hold organisational meetings, and do not conduct internal elections regularly. 
(2) Ordinary members of the party do not get sufficient information on what happens inside the party. 
(3) They do not have the means or the connections needed to influence the decisions. As a result, the leaders assume greater power to make decisions in the name of the party. 
(4) Since one or few leaders exercise paramount power in the party, those who disagree with the leadership find it difficult to continue in the party. 
(5) More than loyalty to party principles and policies, personal loyalty to the leader becomes more important.

Previous Year Questions 2017

Q26: Which organization does recognize ‘Political Parties in India?    (CBSE 2017, 11)

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Ans: The Election Commission of India is responsible for the task of recognizing political parties in India. Every party in India has to register with the Election Commission and it also lays down detailed criteria for state as well as national level parties to qualify as a particular 'party.'

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties


Q27: Name any two regional political parties of U.P. (Uttar Pradesh).     (CBSE 2017)

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Ans: Two Regional Political Parties of UP:
(i) S. E (Samajvadi Party)
(ii) Rashtriya Lok Dal


Q28: Assess the importance of political parties in a democracy.     (CBSE (F) 2017)

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Ans: Importance of Political Parties:

  • Parties contest elections to form a government.
  • Parties put forward different policies and programmes and the voters choose from them.
  • A party reduces a vast multitude of opinions into a few basic positions which it supports.
  • Parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country.
  • Parties recruit leaders, trains them and then make them ministers to run the Government.
  • Parties provide people access to government machinery and welfare schemes implemented by governments.


Q29: “Political Parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.” Analyse the statement with examples.     (CBSE (Comptt) 2017)

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Ans: Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy: If political parties don't exist then:

  • Every candidate in the elections will be independent.
  • No one will be able to make any promise to the people about any major policy changes. 
  • The government may be formed, but its utility will remain ever uncertain.
  • Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituency for what they do in the locality.
  • No one will be responsible for how the country will be run.
  • Political parties are important for representative democracies as they bring representatives together to form the government.
  • It consists of people seeking to achieve their objectives through constitutional means and aims at promoting national interest.


Q30: Why did India choose to have a multi-party system?
OR
Examine the reason to accept a multi-party system in India.     (CBSE (F) 2017)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: India adopted multi-party system because

  • It strengthens democracy.
  • India is geographically a very large country.
  • India is socially a very diverse country.
  • India is culturally and religiously a diverse country.
  • All these diversities can be accommodated if there is a multi-party system and just 1 party or 2 party system will not help in more representation and participation of people in democratic processes.


Q31: Elucidate some of the recent efforts taken in our country to reform political parties and their leaders.     (CBSE Delhi 2017)
OR
Examine any two institutional amendments made by different institutions to reform political parties and their leaders.     (CBSE (F) 2016)

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Ans:

  • The Constitution was amended to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from changing parties. This 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. 
  • 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. 
  • The Election Commission passed an order making it necessary for political parties to hold their organisational elections and file their income tax; returns. The parties have started doing so but sometimes it is a mere formality. It is not clear if this step has led to greater internal democracy in political parties.


Q32: Describe in brief the recent efforts that have been made in India to reform political parties and their leaders.     (CBSE 2016-17C)

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Ans: Recent efforts to reform political parties and their leaders are as given below:

  • Anti-defection law: In India, many elected representatives started indulging in changing party allegiance from the party to which a person had got elected to a different party in order to become ministers or for cash rewards. So in order to curb this tendency, anti-defection law was passed. According to it, if any MLA or MP changes parties, he or she will lose the seat in the legislature. Now MPs and MLAs have to obey the decisions of the party.
  • Filing of an affidavit: The Supreme Court has made it mandatory for every candidate who contests an election to file an affidavit giving details of his property and criminal cases pending against him. This has been done to reduce the influence of money and criminals.
  • Hold organisational elections: The Election Commission has made it necessary for political parties to hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns.


Q33: How can the growing role of money and muscle power in political parties be controlled? Suggest any three measures. (CBSE 2017)

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Ans: The growing role of money and muscle power in political parties can be controlled in the following ways: 
(1) There should be state funding of elections. 
(2) Rath yatras, rallies and processions should be banned. 
(3) All types of elections should be held at the same time. 
(4) It should be mandatory for every candidate contesting elections to file an affidavit giving details of his/her property and criminal cases pending against him/her, if any. 
(5) Political parties should hold their organisational elections and file their income tax returns


Q34: Explain any three recent efforts made to reform political parties in India. (CBSE 2017, 11)
OR
Suggest any three reforms to make political parties more democratic. (CBSE 2017)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: Recent efforts made to reform political parties in India are: 
(1) Anti-defection law has been introduced, under which a member can be disqualified if he/she goes against the instructions issued by the party for monetary benefits. 
(2) To reduce the influence of money and muscle power in the parties, funding of political parties has been made transparent and democratic. Funds can only be accepted if complete documentation has been attached and miscreants are likely to be punished. 
(3) It is mandatory for any candidate to file an affidavit giving details of his property and cases pending against him/her before nomination.

Previous Year Questions 2016

Q35: Why is a one-party system not considered a good democratic system?    (CBSE 2016)

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Ans: A one-party system is not considered a good democratic system because it does not provide any democratic options or alternative viewpoints. It limits political competition and can lead to a lack of accountability and transparency. In a healthy democracy, multiple parties allow for a wider range of opinions and choices, fostering debate, checks and balances, and representation of diverse interests.


Q36: Name any one political party that has a national-level political organization but is not recognized as the national political party.    (Al 2016)

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Ans: Samajwadi Party, Samata Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal


Q37: Name the alliance formed by the Congress Party.    (CBSE 2016)

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Ans: United Progressive Alliance (UPA)


Q38: Which party was the principal opposition party in Lok Sabha in 2004?    (2016)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) 


Q39: What are the components of a political party?       (CBSE (AI) 2016)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: 

  • The leaders: Who formulate policies and programs of the party and choose candidates for contesting elections.
  • The active members: Who are involved in different committees of the party and participate directly in their activity.
  • The followers: Who believe in the party’s ideology and support the party by casting their votes in favor of the party at the time of the election.


Q40: Name any one political party that has a national-level political organisation but not recognised as the national political party. (CBSE Delhi 2016)

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Ans: State parties like the Samajwadi Party, Samata party and Rashtriya Janata Dal have National level political organisations with units in several States but are not recognised as national parties.


Q41: Why is a one-party political system not considered a good democratic system?     (CBSE (F) 2016)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: The one-party system has no democratic option


Q42: What is meant by a ‘national political party? State the conditions required to be a national political party.    (CBSE Delhi 2016)

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Ans: National Political Party has units in the various states, they follow the same policies, programmes and strategy that is decided at the national level.
Conditions required:
(i) A party that secures at least 6% of the total votes in general elections of Lok Sabha or assembly elections in four states.
(ii) Wins at least 4 seats in Lok Sabha.


Q43: “Nearly every one of the state parties wants to get an opportunity to be a part of one nr the other national-level coalition.” Support the statement with arguments.     (CBSE 2016)

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Ans: State parties seeking National level coalition: Before the general election of 2014, in three general elections, no one national party was able to secure on its own a majority in Lok Sabha. As a 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.


Q44: What is meant by a regional political party? State the conditions required to be recognised as a ‘regional political party.    (CBSE (Al) 2016) 

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: A regional Party is a party that is present only in some states. Conditions required for a party to be recognised as a regional political party are:

  • Regional political party (or state party) is a party that has its presence only in one or some states.
  • The regional parties may not always be regional in their ideology or outlook. Examples of some regional parties with units in several states include Samajwadi Party, Samata Party, Rashtriya Janata Dal etc. Parties such as Biju Janata Dal or Mizo National Front are conscious about their state identity.
  • According to the criteria laid down by the Election Commission, a party that secures at least six per cent 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.


Q45: What is a political party? State any two points of the ideology of the Bhartiya Janata Party.      (CBSE (F) 2016)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: 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 programmers for the society with a view to promoting the collective good.
The ideology of BJP:

  • Wants full territorial and political integration of Jammu and Kashmir with India.
  • A uniform civil code for all people living in the country irrespective of religion.
  • Cultural nationalism.


Q46: Why did India adopt a multi-party system?     (CBSE (AI) 2016)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans:

  • India is a large country and has social and geographical diversities.
  • It is easy to absorb different diversities in a multi-party system.


Q47: “All over the world, people express their dissatisfaction with the failure of political parties to perform their functions well.” Analyse the statement with arguments.     (CBSE Delhi 2016)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: Popular dissatisfaction and criticism: It has focused on four areas in the working of political parties, need to face and overcome these challenges in order to remain effective instruments of democracy. Lack of internal democracy within parties.

  • Dynastic succession: Since most political parties do not practice open transparent procedures for their functioning, there are very few ways for an ordinary worker to rise to the top in a party. Those who happen to be leaders are in a position of unfair advantage to favour people close to them or even their family member.
  • The growing role of money and muscle power in parties: Since parties are focused only on mining elections, they land to use shortcuts to win elections. They feed to nominate those considers who have or can raise a lot of mercy. Rich people and companies who give funds to the parties tend to have an influence on the policies and decisions of the party. In some cases, parties support climates that can win an election.
  • There is not a meaningful choice to the voters: In recent years there has been a decline in the ideological parties of the world. Sometimes different leaders either because shifting from one party to another.


Q48: What suggestions are often made to reform political parties?
OR
Suggest any five effective measures to reform political parties.     (CBSE (AI) 2016)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans:

  • A law should be made to regulate the internal affairs of political parties. It should be made compulsory for political parties to maintain a register of its members, to follow its own constitution, to act as a judge in case of party disputes and to hold open elections to the highest post."
  • It should be made mandatory for political parties to give a minimum number of tickets, about one-third to the women candidates. 
  • There should be state funding for elections. The government should give parties money to support their election expenses. This support can be given in a way like; petrol, paper, telephone, etc. Or, it could be given in cash on the basis of votes, secured by the party in the last elections. It should be mandatory to hold their organisational elections. 
  • People can put pressure on political parties through petitions, publicity and agitation. 
  • Parties should reduce the influence of money and criminals. 
  • The parties should select candidates for contesting elections who have a good record.


Q49: “Political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy”. Analyse the statement with examples.    (CBSE (AI) 2016)
OR

“About hundred years ago there were a few countries that had hardly any political party. Now, there are a few countries that do not have political parties .” Examine this statement.

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: Political parties are a necessary condition for democracy.

  • Without political parties, democracies cannot exist.
  • If we do not have political parties - in such a situation every candidate in elections will be independent.
  • No one will be able to make any promises to the people about any major policy changes.
  • The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of representative democracies. As we have seen, large societies need representative democracy.
  • The government may be formed but its utility will remain uncertain. They needed some ways to bring various representatives together so that a responsible government could be formed.
  • They needed some mechanisms to support or restrain the government, make policies, justify or oppose them.
  • Elected representatives will be accountable to their constituency for what they do in their locality.
  • Political parties play a decisive role in making laws for a country. Formally laws are debated and passed in the legislature in which the ruling party plays a major role.
  • Parties form and run governments. Parties recruit leaders, train them and then make them ministers to run the government in the way they want.
  • Those parties that lose in the elections play the role of opposition to the parties in power, by voicing different views and criticising for its failure or wrong policies.
  • Parties shape public opinions. They raise and highlight issues. Parties have lakhs of members and activists spread all over the country. Parties sometimes also launch movements for the resolution of problems faced by people.
  • But no one will be responsible for how the country will run.
  • The role of the opposition party in a democracy necessitates the existence of political parties,
  • As societies become large and complex, they also needed some agencies to gather different views on various issues and to present these to the government, that is why political parties are needed.

Previous Year Questions 2015

Q50: “Lack of internal democracy within parties is the major challenge to political parties all over the world.” Analyse the statement. (CBSE 2015)
Or 

In what way lack of internal democracy is seen in the political parties?

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans:

  • All over the world, there is a tendency of political parties towards the concentration of power in one or few leaders at the top. 
  • Parties do not keep membership register. 
  • They do not regularly hold organisational meetings. 
  • They do not conduct internal elections regularly. 
  • Ordinary members of the party do not have sufficient information as to what happens inside the party. 
  • As a result, the leaders assume greater power to make decisions in the name of the party.


Q51: What is the multi-party system? Why did India adopt a multi-party system?      (CBSE 2015)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: (a) Multi-party system: If several parties compete for power, and more than two parties have a feasoriaLhre chance of coming to power either on their own strength or in alliance with others, it is called a multi-party system.
(b) (i) Every country develops a party system that is conditional by its special circumstances.
(ii) India has evolved a multi-party system because the social and geographical diversity in such a large country is not easily observed by two or even three parties.


Q52: Why do political parties involve partisanship? (CBSE 2015)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: Parties follow different ideologies and people who support these ideologies passionately are its supporters. These supporters work hard to prove that their political party and its ideology is the only correct and ideal approach towards development of the country. In this process, they become staunch supporters of their parties which is called being a partisan.

Previous Year Questions 2014


Q53: Describe any three functions of the Political Parties. (CBSE 2014)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: Functions of Political Parties are: 
(1) They contest election. 
(2) They put forward different policies and programmes. 
(3) Parties form and run the government


Q54: Name the “Regional political parties” that are predominant in Jharkhand, Maharashtra and in Odisha respectively with their symbols. (CBSE 2014)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: The “Regional political parties” that are predominant in Jharkhand, Maharashtra and in Odisha respectively with their symbols are:

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties

Previous Year Questions 2013


Q55: Name the national political party which espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities. Mention any four features of that party. (CBSE 2013)

Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties  View Answer

Ans: Indian National Congress (INC) espouses secularism and welfare of weaker sections and minorities. Four features of the party are as follows:
(1) It was found in 1885 and is one of the oldest parties in the world.
(2) It was the major party post-Independence which ruled both states and the centre.
(3) It is a centrist party.

The document Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties is a part of the Class 10 Course Social Studies (SST) Class 10.
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FAQs on Class 10 Civics Chapter 4 Previous Year Questions - Political Parties

1. What are the main functions of political parties in a democracy?
Ans. Political parties play several key roles in a democracy, including representing diverse interests, organizing elections, forming governments, and facilitating public participation in governance. They help to structure political debate and provide a platform for political expression.
2. How do political parties contribute to the political process in India?
Ans. In India, political parties contribute to the political process by mobilizing voters, contesting elections, and forming alliances. They also play a crucial role in shaping policy decisions, reflecting public opinion, and ensuring accountability of elected representatives.
3. What is the significance of party systems in a political framework?
Ans. Party systems are significant as they determine the nature of political competition, influence voter behavior, and affect governance. They can be categorized as single-party, two-party, or multi-party systems, impacting how policies are formed and how power is distributed among various political entities.
4. What challenges do political parties face in contemporary politics?
Ans. Political parties face several challenges, including corruption, internal conflicts, loss of public trust, and the influence of money in politics. Additionally, the rise of social media has transformed political communication, posing both opportunities and challenges for traditional party structures.
5. Why is it important for citizens to engage with political parties?
Ans. Citizen engagement with political parties is important because it enhances democratic participation, encourages accountability, and influences policy-making. When citizens actively participate, they can ensure that their voices are heard and that their interests are represented in the political arena.
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