Indian politics has gone through major shifts over the last few decades. Chapter 8 of NCERT Class 12 Political Science Part 2, Recent Developments in Indian Politics, covers key events that shaped the political landscape of the country after 1989. From the rise of coalition governments and the decline of the Congress monopoly to the growth of regional parties and the increasing role of the judiciary and civil society, this chapter is a compact political timeline for students preparing for board exams or competitive tests.

I chose to write about this chapter because it not only helps students understand current events better but also shows how Indian democracy has evolved. Politics is not just about elections and parties; it’s about people’s issues, movements, governance and power shifts. From liberalisation in 1991 to the rise of the BJP as a dominant force, these political changes have affected every Indian, directly or indirectly. This chapter is especially useful for students who want to pursue political science, public administration, law or journalism. It builds a strong base to understand what’s happening in India today by connecting it with the past three decades of political events.

What This Chapter Covers

This chapter mainly discusses political events and changes that happened from 1989 till the early 2000s. It focuses on the idea of how politics shifted from single-party dominance to coalition politics, and how this impacted governance and policy-making.

Key Highlights

• End of Congress Dominance: 1989 marked the fall of Congress party’s uninterrupted rule at the Centre. The National Front, supported by BJP and Left parties, formed the government.
• Coalition Politics: India saw several coalition governments like United Front (1996), NDA (1999), and UPA (2004), changing the way political power was shared and managed.
• Rise of BJP: From a marginal party in the 1980s, the BJP emerged as a strong political force by the end of the 1990s.
• Regional Parties Become Key Players: DMK, TDP, SP, BSP, and others gained strength and began influencing national politics.
• Ayodhya Movement and Babri Masjid Demolition: These events in the early 1990s had a huge political and communal impact across the country.
• Economic Liberalisation: In 1991, India opened up its economy, which had a big effect on how politics and development moved forward.
• Emergence of Civil Society Movements: Protests, RTI campaigns and people’s movements like Narmada Bachao Andolan brought social issues into politics.
• Judiciary and Media: Both started playing a bigger role in shaping democratic accountability.

Importance for Students

This chapter gives a clear idea of how Indian democracy functions in a multi-party system. It shows that while coalitions may look unstable, they also give space for regional voices and varied interests. Students can learn:

• Why coalition governments became common
• How regional parties influence national policy
• What role movements and media play in strengthening democracy
• The impact of liberalisation on politics and public life

The topics are useful not only for exams but also for anyone trying to understand how governments work in a diverse and large democracy like India.

Download PDF: NCERT Class 12 Political Science Part 2 Chapter 8 – Recent Developments in Indian Politics

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NCERT Class 12 Political Science Part 2 Chapter 8 – Recent Developments in Indian Politics