NCERT Class 10 Political Science (Civics) Chapter 4, Political Parties, introduces students to one of the most essential elements of any democratic system—political parties. This chapter explains what political parties are, their functions, types, and the role they play in shaping a democracy. It also covers the national and state-level parties in India, how parties are recognised by the Election Commission, and how they are reformed to work better for the public.
I chose to write about this chapter because understanding political parties is important not just for exams but for becoming a responsible citizen. We often hear names of political parties in the news, on social media, or during elections, but many people don’t know how they actually work, why they matter, and how they influence governance. This chapter explains that clearly. It also raises critical questions—Why do we need parties? What are their shortcomings? How can they be made more accountable? All of this helps students learn how to think beyond political slogans and develop informed opinions. If you’re preparing for your board exams or just want to understand Indian politics better, Click Here to Download NCERT Class 10 Political Science Chapter 4: Political Parties PDF and start reading.
NCERT Class 10 Political Science Chapter 4 Syllabus
- Why do we need political parties?
- Functions of political parties
- Party system in India
- National and State Parties
- Challenges to political parties
- How can parties be reformed?
What You Will Learn in Chapter 4: Political Parties
The chapter starts with a simple but important question—why do we need political parties? It explains that parties are necessary because they bring different people together to contest elections, form governments, and run the country or a state. Without parties, every candidate would be independent, and governance would be chaotic.
Next, the chapter describes the main functions of political parties:
- They contest elections
- They put forward different policies and programmes
- They make laws when in power
- They form and run governments
- They act as opposition when not in power
- They shape public opinion
- They connect the government to the people
Then the chapter talks about types of party systems. India follows a multi-party system, unlike countries like the USA (two-party system) or China (one-party system). This system allows many voices and interests to be represented.
The chapter also lists national parties (like BJP, Congress, CPI(M), BSP, NCP) and state parties that are influential in specific states (like DMK in Tamil Nadu, BJD in Odisha). It explains the criteria used by the Election Commission of India to recognise a party as national or state-level.
Another section of the chapter focuses on challenges to political parties, such as:
- Lack of internal democracy
- Dynastic succession
- Use of money and muscle power
- Influence of caste and religion
It ends with suggestions for reforming political parties, such as promoting transparency, holding regular elections within parties, and encouraging more participation from women and youth.
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Click Here to Download NCERT Class 10 Political Science Chapter 4: Political Parties PDF
