Political Parties Class 10 MCQs with Answers
140 NCERT-based multiple choice questions covering the meaning and functions of political parties, party systems, national and State parties, recognition, popular participation, challenges and reforms.
Political Party: Meaning, Components, Functions & Necessity
Quick-recall and concept questions covering the definition, components, functions and necessity of political parties.
1A political party is best described as:
Why: The chapter defines a political party as a group that comes together to contest elections and hold power in government.
2Political parties generally agree on certain:
Why: Members generally agree on policies and programmes intended to promote the collective good.
3The main political objective of a party is to:
Why: Parties seek public support through elections so they can implement their policies.
4The term partisanship refers to:
Why: The textbook links partisanship with taking a side and difficulty in taking a balanced view.
5A partisan is a person who is:
Why: A partisan is strongly committed to a particular party, group or faction.
6Which set correctly lists the three components of a political party?
Why: The three components named in the chapter are leaders, active members and followers.
7The basic political role of parties is to:
Why: The chapter states that parties fill political offices and exercise political power.
8Which is a major function of political parties?
Why: Contesting elections is the first major function listed.
9In India, according to the chapter, party candidates are generally selected by:
Why: The chapter contrasts India with systems such as the USA and says top party leaders choose candidates in India.
10Political parties put before voters different:
Why: Parties group different opinions into policy positions and programmes for voters to choose among.
11Why do parties group many opinions into a few basic positions?
Why: Parties aggregate a wide range of views so governments can formulate workable policies.
12Political parties play a decisive role in making laws because:
Why: Legislators belonging to parties generally follow party leadership while debating and passing laws.
13Political parties form and run governments by:
Why: Parties recruit and train leaders and bring them into the political executive.
14The party or coalition that runs the government is called the:
Why: The ruling party is the political party that runs the government.
15Parties that lose elections and do not form the government generally:
Why: Opposition parties voice alternative views and criticise the government.
16Opposition parties help democracy by:
Why: The chapter highlights criticism and mobilisation as important opposition functions.
17Political parties help shape public opinion by:
Why: Parties raise issues, organise activists and sometimes launch movements.
18Political parties can provide ordinary citizens access to:
Why: The chapter notes that people may find it easier to approach a local party leader than a government officer.
19Why may citizens feel close to political parties even when they do not fully trust them?
Why: Access to government machinery and schemes can keep parties connected to citizens.
20Political parties are necessary in modern democracies mainly because they:
Why: Parties gather views, organise representatives, support or restrain governments and help formulate policies.
21If there were no political parties, candidates would mostly be:
Why: The chapter imagines a system in which every candidate is independent when parties are absent.
22Without parties, one major problem would be the absence of:
Why: Independent representatives could be accountable locally, but overall responsibility for national governance would be unclear.
23The rise of political parties is directly linked to the emergence of:
Why: The chapter explicitly links the rise of political parties with representative democracy.
24Why are political parties found in almost all countries?
Why: Parties meet organisational needs of representative government.
25Non-party elections in some panchayats can still show party-like competition because:
Why: The chapter notes that factions may put up panels even when parties do not formally contest.
26Which statement best explains why parties are linked to social divisions?
Why: The chapter says parties reflect fundamental political divisions and represent parts of society.
27Which of the following is NOT a core component of a political party?
Why: The textbook lists leaders, active members and followers.
28Which function connects political parties most directly with welfare delivery?
Why: The chapter explicitly includes access to government machinery and welfare schemes among party functions.
29A government is expected to base its policies largely on the line taken by the:
Why: The chapter explains that the government is expected to base policies on the line of the ruling party.
30Which statement about political parties is most accurate?
Why: Parties contest elections, aggregate views, form governments, oppose governments and shape public opinion.
Party Systems, Alliances & India's Multi-Party System
Questions on one-party, two-party and multi-party systems, coalitions, alliances and why India's system evolved as it did.
31A system in which only one party is allowed to control and run the government is a:
Why: The chapter uses the one-party system for systems where one party is allowed to rule.
32The chapter says a one-party system is not a good democratic option because:
Why: A democratic system must allow at least two parties to compete and have a fair chance of coming to power.
33A democratic system must allow at least:
Why: The textbook states that a democratic system must allow at least two parties to compete.
34In a two-party system, several parties may exist, but:
Why: This is the textbook's defining feature of a two-party system.
35Which two countries are given as examples of a two-party system?
Why: The chapter gives the United States of America and the United Kingdom as examples.
36A multi-party system is one in which:
Why: More than two parties have a reasonable chance of coming to power, alone or through alliances.
37India is described in the chapter as having a:
Why: The textbook identifies India as a multi-party system.
38In a multi-party system, a government may be formed by:
Why: Coalition governments can be formed by several parties in a multi-party system.
39When several parties join hands to contest elections and win power, they form an:
Why: The chapter calls such cooperation an alliance or front.
40Which is NOT a feature of a multi-party system?
Why: A multi-party system involves competition among several parties.
41A possible disadvantage of a multi-party system mentioned in the chapter is:
Why: The chapter notes that the system can appear messy and may lead to political instability.
42An important advantage of a multi-party system is that it:
Why: Representation of diverse interests is a major advantage noted in the textbook.
43India's multi-party system developed partly because:
Why: The chapter connects India's multi-party system with its enormous social and geographical diversity.
44A country's party system generally evolves according to its:
Why: These four factors are explicitly identified in the chapter.
45Why cannot a country simply choose any party system overnight?
Why: The textbook says party systems evolve over time and cannot be changed quickly.
46The chapter's conclusion about the 'best' party system is that:
Why: Party systems are shaped by country-specific circumstances.
47A coalition is most closely associated with:
Why: Coalition politics is common in multi-party systems.
48Which of the following is an example of a party alliance named in the chapter for the 2004 parliamentary elections?
Why: The chapter names the NDA, UPA and Left Front as major alliances in the 2004 parliamentary elections.
49The chapter lists which three major alliances for the 2004 parliamentary elections?
Why: The textbook lists the National Democratic Alliance, United Progressive Alliance and Left Front.
50At the State level, the chapter asks students to identify which three broad party-system patterns?
Why: These are the three broad State-level patterns listed in the chapter.
National Parties, State Parties & Recognition
NCERT-aligned questions on Election Commission recognition, national parties, State parties and the party profiles presented in the chapter.
51In India, every political party has to register with the:
Why: The chapter states that every party must register with the Election Commission.
52A recognised political party receives special facilities from the:
Why: The Election Commission recognises parties and provides recognised parties certain special facilities.
53A unique election symbol may be used by:
Why: The chapter says the official candidates of a recognised party can use its unique symbol.
54According to the chapter, a party is recognised as a State party if it secures at least 6% of total votes in a State Assembly election and wins at least:
Why: The textbook's stated criterion is 6% of votes plus at least two Assembly seats.
55According to the chapter, a party is recognised as a national party if it secures at least 6% of votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly elections in four States and wins at least:
Why: This is the national-party criterion stated in the 2026-27 NCERT chapter.
56The 2026-27 NCERT chapter says there were how many recognised national parties according to the Election Commission notification issued in 2023?
Why: The chapter states six recognised national parties according to the 2023 notification.
57Which of the following is listed in the chapter as a recognised national party?
Why: AAP is among the six recognised national parties named in the chapter.
58Which party is described as having been formed in 1984 under Kanshi Ram's leadership?
Why: The chapter gives 1984 and Kanshi Ram for the BSP.
59The main base of the BSP described in the chapter is:
Why: The chapter identifies Uttar Pradesh as the BSP's main base.
60The BSP seeks to represent and secure power for the:
Why: The chapter describes its social base in these terms.
61The BJP was founded in:
Why: The chapter says the BJP was founded in 1980 by reviving the erstwhile Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
62The BJP revived the earlier:
Why: The chapter links the BJP's formation to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh.
63The Bharatiya Jana Sangh was formed in 1951 by:
Why: The chapter names Syama Prasad Mukherjee.
64Which concept is identified in the chapter as an important element in the BJP's conception of Indian nationhood and politics?
Why: The textbook uses the term cultural nationalism and discusses Hindutva in this context.
65The BJP's stated policy positions in the chapter include support for:
Why: The chapter lists a uniform civil code among the BJP's stated positions.
66The Communist Party of India (Marxist) was founded in:
Why: The chapter gives 1964 as its founding year.
67CPI(M) is described as believing in:
Why: The chapter states that CPI(M) believes in Marxism-Leninism.
68CPI(M) supports which combination according to the chapter?
Why: These three values are explicitly stated in the party profile.
69The chapter says CPI(M) had strong support especially in:
Why: The textbook identifies West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura.
70The Indian National Congress was founded in:
Why: The chapter identifies INC as founded in 1885.
71The Indian National Congress is described as:
Why: The chapter calls it one of the oldest parties in the world.
72Under Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress sought to build a:
Why: This is part of the party profile in the chapter.
73The Congress is described as centrist in its:
Why: The chapter describes its ideological orientation as centrist.
74The National People's Party was formed in:
Why: The chapter gives July 2013.
75The National People's Party was formed under the leadership of:
Why: The chapter names P. A. Sangma.
76NPP is described as the first political party from which region to attain national-party status?
Why: The chapter says NPP was the first party from North-East India to attain national-party status.
77The NPP's core philosophy in the chapter includes:
Why: These are the priorities stated in the party profile.
78The chapter says most major parties other than the listed national parties are classified by the Election Commission as:
Why: The chapter uses 'State parties' and notes they are commonly called regional parties.
79A State party is commonly referred to as a:
Why: The chapter notes that State parties are commonly referred to as regional parties.
80The chapter cautions that State parties:
Why: Some State parties have wider organisational or ideological reach despite their classification.
81Which is an example given of a party with national-level organisation but classified as a State party?
Why: The chapter uses Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal as examples.
82Which party is given as an example of a State party conscious of its State identity?
Why: Biju Janata Dal is among the examples named.
83The growth of State parties has made Parliament:
Why: The chapter says Parliament became more politically diverse.
84Since 1996, State parties have increasingly had opportunities to participate in:
Why: The chapter connects State parties with national coalition governments.
85The growth of State parties has contributed, according to the chapter, to strengthening:
Why: This is the chapter's stated conclusion about State-party growth.
86Which of the following is NOT one of the six recognised national parties named in the chapter?
Why: The chapter names AAP, BSP, BJP, CPI(M), INC and NPP; Samajwadi Party is discussed as a State party.
87Which party profile in the chapter highlights Bahujan Samaj, Dalits, Adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities?
Why: Those groups are part of the BSP's stated social focus in the chapter.
88Which party profile emphasises diversity and different regional developmental challenges?
Why: The NPP profile stresses diversity and differing regional developmental challenges.
89Which party profile describes support for socialism, secularism and democracy?
Why: These are listed in the CPI(M) profile.
90Which party profile says the party has a presence throughout the country across social divisions?
Why: The chapter describes the Congress as having presence throughout the country.
91Which party profile states that it formed governments in Punjab and Delhi?
Why: The AAP profile in the chapter states this.
92AAP was formed in:
Why: The chapter says AAP was formed on 26 November 2012.
93The AAP formation is linked in the chapter to the:
Why: The chapter says AAP was formed following the 2011 anti-corruption movement.
94Which party's profile mentions Integral Humanism and Antyodaya?
Why: The BJP profile cites Deendayal Upadhyaya's ideas of integral humanism and Antyodaya.
95Which party is described as having formed a government in Meghalaya?
Why: The NPP profile says it formed government in Meghalaya.
Popular Participation, Challenges & Reforms
Exam-focused practice on popular participation, internal democracy, dynastic succession, money and muscle power, meaningful choice and reforms.
96The chapter's evidence suggests that political parties in South Asia:
Why: The textbook notes relatively low trust in political parties in South Asia.
97Despite low trust, participation in political parties in India has been:
Why: The chapter says participation in party activities was fairly high.
98Compared with several advanced countries, reported party membership in India was:
Why: The chapter compares India favourably with countries such as Canada, Japan, Spain and South Korea on reported membership.
99Over the last three decades, the proportion reporting party membership in India has:
Why: The chapter states that party membership reporting increased steadily.
100The proportion of people saying they feel close to a political party in India has:
Why: The chapter reports an increase in people feeling close to a party.
101Which is the first major challenge to political parties listed in the chapter?
Why: The first challenge is concentration of power and lack of internal democracy.
102Lack of internal democracy may involve parties failing to:
Why: The chapter specifically mentions membership registers, organisational meetings and internal elections.
103When power is concentrated in one or a few party leaders, ordinary members may:
Why: Concentration of power weakens ordinary members' influence.
104Dynastic succession refers to:
Why: The chapter links dynastic succession with family control of top positions.
105Why is dynastic succession considered harmful to democracy?
Why: The textbook highlights unfair advantage to family members and possible lack of experience or popular support.
106The third major challenge concerns the growing role of:
Why: Money and muscle power, especially during elections, is the third challenge.
107Parties may favour candidates who:
Why: The chapter says parties may nominate candidates who can raise lots of money.
108Rich individuals and companies that fund parties may:
Why: The textbook warns that financial donors may influence party decisions.
109The fourth major challenge is that parties may fail to offer voters:
Why: The chapter identifies lack of meaningful choice as the fourth challenge.
110Meaningful choice requires political parties to be:
Why: The chapter says parties need significant differences to provide meaningful choice.
111The chapter notes that ideological differences among major parties have:
Why: It points to declining ideological differences as a reason voters may lack meaningful choice.
112The Anti-Defection Law was introduced to prevent elected MLAs and MPs from:
Why: The law aims to curb defection by disqualifying legislators who change parties under the stated conditions.
113Under the law described in the chapter, an MLA or MP who changes parties may:
Why: The chapter says such a member will lose the seat in the legislature.
114One effect of the Anti-Defection Law noted in the chapter is that it:
Why: The chapter explicitly notes both effects.
115The Supreme Court order discussed in the chapter requires election candidates to file:
Why: Candidate affidavits provide information on property and pending criminal cases.
116A limitation of candidate affidavits noted in the chapter is that:
Why: The chapter says there is no system to verify the truth of the information supplied.
117The Election Commission required political parties to:
Why: These are among the reform measures discussed.
118A suggested reform is to require parties to:
Why: The textbook suggests rules for internal party organisation.
119Another suggested reform is an independent authority to:
Why: The chapter proposes an independent authority for internal party disputes.
120The textbook suggests that parties could be required to give about what minimum share of tickets to women?
Why: The suggested reform is a minimum of about one-third of tickets for women candidates.
121The chapter also suggests women should have:
Why: It suggests representation of women in party decision-making bodies.
122State funding of elections means:
Why: The chapter proposes government support, potentially in cash or kind.
123The textbook warns that excessive legal regulation of political parties can be:
Why: Over-regulation may encourage parties to find ways around the law.
124Citizens can pressure parties to reform through:
Why: The chapter explicitly names petitions, publicity and agitations.
125Citizens can also help reform parties by:
Why: The chapter argues that better politics requires more and better public participation.
Application-Based, Assertion–Reason & Exam-Style MCQs
Higher-order practice designed to test application, comparison, assertion–reason logic and the kind of conceptual discrimination useful for exams.
126A party has regular elections but ordinary members cannot access information or influence decisions. Which challenge is most directly illustrated?
Why: Internal democracy requires meaningful participation by ordinary members, not merely formal elections.
127Suppose three parties join hands before an election to contest seats and seek power together. This is best described as:
Why: The chapter defines an alliance or front as parties joining hands for contesting elections and winning power.
128Assertion (A): India has a multi-party system. Reason (R): India's social and geographical diversity is difficult to absorb into only two or three parties. Choose the correct option.
Why: The chapter directly connects India's diversity with the evolution of its multi-party system.
129Assertion (A): Political parties are necessary for representative democracy. Reason (R): Parties gather different views, organise representatives and help form responsible governments. Choose the correct option.
Why: These functions explain why parties are considered a necessary condition for representative democracy.
130A party offers voters several policies but never contests elections. Which essential party function is missing?
Why: Contesting elections is a foundational function of political parties.
131A country has many parties, but only two have a serious chance of winning a majority and forming the government. This most closely describes:
Why: The chapter defines a two-party system by the dominance of two serious contenders even if other parties exist.
132A recognised party is given a unique symbol that official candidates can use. Which institution is responsible for recognition and this facility?
Why: The Election Commission registers and recognises parties and provides recognised parties special facilities.
133A party has a national organisation but is classified as a State party because of where it has achieved electoral success. Which chapter idea does this illustrate?
Why: The chapter explicitly warns that State-party classification does not necessarily mean a party is regional in outlook.
134A legislator changes party allegiance after being elected and is disqualified from the legislature under the law described. Which reform is involved?
Why: The Anti-Defection Law addresses changing party allegiance after election.
135A party's top leadership passes major decisions without consulting ordinary members. Which combination best identifies the problem and a suggested reform?
Why: Concentrated decision-making is an internal-democracy problem; internal elections are a suggested remedy.
136A party gives leadership posts mainly to relatives of existing leaders despite other capable workers. This is:
Why: Favouring family members for top positions is the textbook's description of dynastic succession.
137A political party depends heavily on wealthy donors who then influence its policies. Which challenge is most directly shown?
Why: The chapter warns that wealthy donors may influence party policies and decisions.
138If major parties become so similar that voters cannot find substantially different policy choices, which challenge is highlighted?
Why: Meaningful choice requires significant differences among parties.
139A citizen wants political parties to improve but remains completely outside political activity. According to the chapter, the stronger democratic approach is to:
Why: The chapter argues that better politics requires more and better public participation.
140Which statement best captures the chapter's overall view of political parties?
Why: The chapter presents parties as necessary institutions while examining their weaknesses and possible reforms.
After completing these Political Parties MCQs, revise the chapter with the full Class 10 Questions & Answers set.