Extra 30 short-answer questions from Chapter:6 Political Parties (Class 10 CBSE Political Science):
1. What is a political party?
Answer: A political party is an organization that seeks to achieve political power by contesting elections and influencing government policies. It consists of leaders, active members, and supporters.
2. What are the major components of a political party?
Answer:
A political party has three major components:
Leaders
– They make decisions and lead the party.
Active Members
– They participate in party activities.
Supporters
– They vote for the party in elections.
3. Why are political parties necessary in a democracy?
Answer:
Political parties are necessary because they:
Provide choices to voters in elections.
Help form and run governments.
Represent diverse interests of society.
4. How do political parties help in shaping public opinion?
Answer:
Political parties shape public opinion by:
Organizing rallies, debates, and speeches.
Using media platforms to promote their ideas.
Educating people about policies and governance.
5. What is meant by a multi-party system?
Answer: A multi-party system is one in which multiple political parties compete for power. If no single party wins a majority, coalition governments are formed. Example: India, France, Germany.
6. What is a one-party system? Give an example.
Answer: A one-party system is where only one political party is allowed to control the government. Example: China (Communist Party of China).
7. What is a two-party system? Give an example.
Answer: A two-party system is where two major political parties dominate politics. Example: USA (Democratic and Republican Parties), UK (Labour and Conservative Parties).
8. How does a party get recognition as a national party in India?
Answer: A party is recognized as a national party if:
It wins at least
2% of Lok Sabha seats
from
three different states.
It gets
6% of votes in four or more states
in a Lok Sabha or Assembly election.
It is recognized as a
state party
in at least
four states.
9. How does a party get recognition as a state party in India?
Answer: A party is recognized as a state party if it:
Wins
at least 6% votes
in the state assembly or Lok Sabha elections.
Wins at least
two assembly seats
or
one Lok Sabha seat
from the state.
10. What is meant by a regional party?
Answer: A regional party is active in only one or a few states and represents regional interests. Example: Shiv Sena (Maharashtra), DMK (Tamil Nadu).
11. Name two national political parties in India.
Answer:
Indian National Congress (INC)
Bharatiya
Janata Party (BJP)
12. Name two regional political parties in India.
Answer:
Trinamool Congress (West Bengal)
Biju Janata Dal (Odisha)
13. What is a coalition government?
Answer: A coalition government is formed when multiple parties join together to form a government because no single party has won a majority. Example: NDA (BJP-led) and UPA (Congress-led) governments in India.
14. What is meant by a ruling party?
Answer: The ruling party is the party that wins the majority of seats in elections and forms the government. Example: BJP is the ruling party in India (2024).
15. What is meant by the opposition party?
Answer: The opposition party is the party (or parties) that does not form the government but plays a role in checking the ruling party’s decisions.
16. What are the functions of political parties?
Answer:
Contest elections.
Form and run governments.
Make laws and policies.
Act as opposition to the ruling party.
Shape public opinion.
17. What are the challenges faced by political parties in India?
Answer:
Lack of internal democracy
– Decisions are taken by top leaders.
Dynastic succession
– Family members control party leadership.
Money and muscle power
– Rich candidates dominate elections.
Lack of meaningful choice
– Many parties have similar policies.
18. What is meant by dynastic succession in politics?
Answer: Dynastic succession means political power passes within a family instead of democratic elections. Example: Nehru-Gandhi family in Congress.
19. What is the role of the Election Commission in political parties?
Answer:
Registers political parties.
Ensures free and fair elections.
Recognizes national and state parties.
Enforces the Model Code of Conduct.
20. What is the Anti-Defection Law?
Answer: The Anti-Defection Law (1985) prevents elected representatives from switching parties after winning elections. They can lose their seat if they defy their party’s decision.
21. What is meant by party manifesto?
Answer: A party manifesto is a document released before elections outlining the party’s policies, promises, and vision for governance.
22. What is meant by "money and muscle power" in politics?
Answer: Many candidates use money to influence voters and muscle power (violence, threats) to win elections unfairly.
23. What is the difference between national and regional parties?
Answer:
|
National Party |
Regional Party |
|---|---|
|
Present across India |
Active in a particular state |
|
Recognized in at least 4 states |
Recognized in one or a few states |
|
Example: BJP, Congress |
Example: DMK, TMC |
24. What is the significance of political parties in a democracy?
Answer:
Ensure political participation.
Offer policy choices.
Form governments.
Act as a link between government and citizens.
25. Why do we need political parties?
Answer:
Provide a structured way to form governments.
Represent different views in society.
Help in policy-making.
26. What is the role of opposition parties in democracy?
Answer:
Criticize and check the government’s actions.
Represent alternative policies.
Prevent dictatorship by holding the ruling party accountable.
27. What is a party symbol, and why is it important?
Answer: A party symbol is an official sign given by the Election Commission to represent a political party. It helps illiterate voters recognize parties during elections.
28. What are independent candidates?
Answer: Candidates who contest elections without belonging to any political party are called independent candidates.
29. What do you mean by the Model Code of Conduct?
Answer: The Model Code of Conduct is a set of guidelines issued by the Election Commission to ensure free and fair elections.
30. What is the importance of political parties for the common people?
Answer:
Help people express their demands.
Offer choices during elections.
Represent different groups in society.
