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CBSEScience (English Medium) Class 12
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Syllabus

Overview of Recent Developments in Indian Politics

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Topics

Estimated time: 34 minutes
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Context of the 1990s

  • The 1989 Lok Sabha election defeat of Congress ended the long-standing Congress system, though Congress remained important.
  • The Mandal issue (1990) brought OBC reservations into focus and reshaped national politics through protests and debates.
  • India adopted new economic reforms (liberalisation) from 1991, changing the direction of the economy.
  • The Ram Janmabhoomi movement strongly influenced politics and debates on secularism.
  • The assassination of Rajiv Gandhi in 1991 led to leadership change in Congress, with Narasimha Rao becoming Prime Minister.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Decline of Congress

  • The defeat of Congress after 1989 ended its long-term dominance in Indian politics.
  • Unlike earlier phases, Congress could not restore its predominant position in the 1990s.
  • No single party replaced Congress as the dominant party.
  • India entered an era of a multi-party system with several parties sharing power.
  • This led to coalition governments at the Centre.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Alliance Politics

  • The 1990s saw the rise of regional parties representing Dalits and OBCs.
  • These parties became crucial in forming governments at the Centre.
  • The United Front governments (1996–97) were supported by Congress to keep BJP out of power.
  • Political alliances were unstable, showing frequent shifts in support.
  • The BJP emerged as the largest party in 1996 but could not form a majority government alone.
  • Coalition politics became the norm after the 1989 elections.
  • Major coalitions included National Front, United Front, NDA, and UPA.
  • By 1999, the NDA under Atal Bihari Vajpayee completed a full term, marking coalition stability.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Central Governments in India since 1989

Period 

Prime Minister 

Party / Coalition in Government 

Dec 1989 – Nov 1990 

V. P. Singh 

National Front (supported by Left Front & BJP) 

Nov 1990 – Jun 1991 

Chandra Shekhar 

Samajwadi Janata Party (supported by Congress) 

Jun 1991 – May 1996 

P. V. Narasimha Rao 

Congress (supported by AIADMK & smaller parties) 

May 1996 – Jun 1996 

Atal Bihari Vajpayee 

BJP (minority government) 

Jun 1996 – Apr 1997 

H. D. Deve Gowda 

United Front (supported by Congress) 

Apr 1997 – Mar 1998 

I. K. Gujral 

United Front (supported by Congress) 

Mar 1998 – Oct 1999 

Atal Bihari Vajpayee 

National Democratic Alliance (NDA) 

Oct 1999 – May 2004 

Atal Bihari Vajpayee 

NDA (completed full term) 

May 2004 – May 2014 

Manmohan Singh 

United Progressive Alliance (UPA) 

May 2014 – present 

Narendra Modi 

NDA (BJP-led) 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Mandal Implemented

  • Late 1980s, the Janata Dal mobilised political groups with strong OBC support.
  • National Front government (1990) decided to implement the Mandal Commission recommendations.
  • This led to a nationwide debate and protests over OBC reservations in government jobs.
  • The issue strengthened OBC political identity and increased their mobilisation in politics.
  • Raised questions of political power, representation, and social justice for OBCs. 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: B. P. Mandal

  • Social justice leader and MP from Bihar.
  • Chaired the Second Backward Classes Commission (Mandal Commission).
  • Reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: The Mandal Commission

  • The Mandal Commission (1978) was the Second Backward Classes Commission, chaired by B. P. Mandal.
  • Studied the social and educational backwardness of communities and identified OBCs.
  • The Commission submitted its report in 1980.
  • It recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs and educational institutions.
  • In 1990, the National Front government.
  • The decision led to nationwide protests but was upheld by the Supreme Court in 1992.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Political Fallouts

  • The 1980s saw the rise of Dalit political mobilisation in India.
  • BAMCEF was formed to organise SC, ST, OBC, and minority employees.
  • Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) under Kanshi Ram.
  • BSP achieved  major breakthrough in Uttar Pradesh in the 1989 and 1991 elections.
  • Dalit politics grew as an independent political force, often competing with OBC politics.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Kanshi Ram

  • Founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
  • He began with BAMCEF and promoted Bahujan empowerment.
  • He viewed political power as the key to social equality and led the rise of Dalit politics. 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Ayodhya Issue

  • The Ayodhya issue is a long-standing socio-political dispute over the birthplace of Lord Ram.
  • A three-domed structure was built at the site in 1528, showing both Hindu and Islamic features.
  • The issue led to frequent conflicts and became linked to national pride and identity.
  • Structure was sealed in 1949.
  • Court ordered the unlocking of the structure for Hindu worship.
  • In 1992, the structure was demolished, intensifying communal tensions.
  • In 1992, the structure was demolished, intensifying communal tensions.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: From Legal Proceedings to Amicable Acceptance

  • Conflicts in a diverse democracy are resolved through the due process of law.
  • The Ayodhya dispute was addressed through hearings, mediation, and legal procedures.
  • November 2019, the Supreme Court delivered a unanimous verdict.
  • The site was given for the Ram temple, and land was allotted for a mosque elsewhere in Ayodhya.
  • Consensus-building and democratic maturity.
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Emergence of a New Consensus

  • Decline of Congress dominance and the rise of the BJP.
  • Congress and BJP emerged as the two main competitors.
  • Combined vote share of Congress and BJP exceeded 50%.
  • Coalition-based competition around these two poles.
  • A new political consensus emerged with bipolar competition. 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Lok Sabha Elections (2004–2019)

  • 2004 Elections: NDA was defeated and the Congress-led UPA government came to power with Left parties’ support.
  • UPA Government (2004–2009): Congress increased seats and completed its term despite Left withdrawal in 2008 over the nuclear deal.
  • 2009 Elections: Congress improved its performance; Dr. Manmohan Singh became Prime Minister for the second time.
  • 2014 Elections: BJP under Narendra Modi won a clear majority (282 seats) and formed the NDA government.
  • 2019 Elections: BJP won 303 seats, marking a strong single-party majority while coalition politics remained important. 
CBSE: Class 12

Key Points: Growing Consensus

  • Most political parties agree on many important national issues.
  • New economic policies are supported by most political parties.
  • Parties accept the political and social demands of backward classes.
  • Reservation in education and jobs is supported by all major parties.
  • Political parties support adequate representation for OBCs.
  • State-level parties play an important role in national politics.
  • Coalition politics focuses more on practical alliances than ideology.
  • Indian democracy continues through debates on justice, development, and rights.
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