Page 59 – Political Parties
Based on M. Laxmikanth – Indian Polity (6th Edition)
Key Idea Summary
Core concepts and exam relevance
Political parties are essential for:
- Elections
- Government formation
- Public representation
They can be:
- National Parties
- State Parties
- Registered Unrecognized Parties
- Conditions for national/state recognition
- Anti-defection law
- Party system in India
- Intra-party democracy
Party Recognition Rules
ECI criteria
🏛️ National Party Requirements
A party becomes National if ANY ONE is fulfilled:
- 6% vote in 4 states + 4 LS seats
- OR 2% LS seats from at least 3 states
- OR Recognition as state party in 4+ states
- Reserved election symbol
- Star campaigners
- Free airtime
🗺️ State Party Requirements
A party becomes State Party if ANY ONE is fulfilled:
- 6% vote + 2 Assembly seats
- OR 3% Assembly seats
- OR 1 LS seat per 25 LS seats in state
- OR 8% vote in Assembly/LS election
- Reserved symbol in state
- Star campaigners (20)
Anti-Defection Law – 10th Schedule
Preventing political defection
📜 10th Schedule (52nd Amendment, 1985)
❌ Grounds for Disqualification
- Voluntarily gives up party membership
- Votes against party whip
- Abstains from voting against whip
✅ Exemptions
- Merger: If 2/3rd members merge
- Speaker/Chairman election
- Nominated members (6 months)
Speaker/Chairman decides defection cases. Decision can be challenged in court only on limited grounds.
Evolution of Party System
Key milestones
Multi-party system begins; Congress dominance
Non-Congress governments in several states
52nd Amendment adds 10th Schedule
Rise of regional parties and coalition politics
Single party majority governments return
Simulation Lab
Political Party Explorer
🧪 Party Rules Simulator
Select a scenario to understand party rules.
Select a scenario to see political party rules.
Exam Booster – Practice Questions
Test your understanding
1 What is the 10th Schedule about?
10th Schedule deals with disqualification on grounds of defection. Added by 52nd Amendment (1985). Modified by 91st Amendment (2003).
2 Who decides defection cases?
Speaker (Lok Sabha/Assembly) or Chairman (Rajya Sabha/Legislative Council) decides defection cases. Decision can be judicially reviewed.
Memory Hooks & Quick Revision
Key takeaways for exam day
Revision Summary
3 Exam Points to Remember
- 1 National: 6% + 4 LS OR 2% LS (3 states) OR State party in 4 states
- 2 10th Schedule: Anti-defection | Speaker decides | Only merger (2/3rd) exempted
- 3 91st Amendment: Removed split (1/3rd) | Only merger remains | Strengthened law