NCERT solutions for Political Science Politics in India Since Independence [English] Class 12 chapter 8 - Recent Developments in Indian Politics [Latest edition]

I wish to find out if the Congress can still bounce back to its old glory.

I wish to be sure if this phenomenon would have a long-term effect.

Talk to your parents about their memories of the events happening since the 1990s. Ask them what they felt were the most significant events of the period. Sit together in groups and draw a comprehensive list of the events reported by your parents, see which events get cited most, and compare them with what the chapter suggests were the most significant. You can also discuss why some events are more important for some and not for others.

Coalitions are the logic of democratic politics in our kind of society. Does that mean that we will always have coalitions? Or can the national parties consolidate their positions again?

I am not worried about whether it is a single-party or coalition government; I am more worried about what they do. Does a coalition government involve more compromises? Can we not have bold and imaginative policies in a coalition?

Will this benefit leaders of all the backward and Dalit communities? Or will the gains be monopolised by some powerful castes and families within these groups?

The real point is not the leaders but the people! Will this lead to better policies and effective implementation for the really deprived people? Or will it remain just a political game?

As you know around the time of India’s independence, many other countries also became independent and adopted democracy. However, even India emerged as a mature democracy playing a great role in promoting social equality and national development, the same has not been the case in some of those countries.

Discuss amongst yourselves the factors that have enabled democracy to thrive in India.

Unscramble a bunch of disarranged press clipping file of Unni-Munni… and arrange the file chronologically.

1. Implementation of the recommendation of the Mandal Commission
2. Formation of the Janata Dal
3. Supreme court Judgment on the Ram Janmabhoomi
4. Assassination of Indira Gandhi
5. The formation of NDA government
6. Formation of the UPA government

Match the following:

State the main issues in Indian politics in the period after 1989. What different configurations of political parties these differences lead to?

“In the new era of coalition politics, political parties are not aligning or realigning on the basis of ideology.” What arguments would you put forward to support or oppose this statement?

Trace the emergence of BJP as a significant force in post-Emergency politics.

In spite of the decline of Congress dominance the Congress party continues to influence politics in the country. Do you agree? Give reasons.

Many people think that a two-party system is required for successful democracy. Drawing from India’s experience of last twenty years, write an essay on what advantages the present party system in India has.

Read the passage and answer the questions below:

Party politics in India has confronted numerous challenges. Not only has the Congress system destroyed itself, but the fragmentation of the Congress coalition has triggered a new emphasis on self-representation which raises questions about the party system and its capacity to accommodate diverse interest,…. An important test facing the polity is to evolve a party system or political parties that can effectively articulate and aggregate a variety of interests. —Zoya Hasan

1. Write a short note on what the author calls challenges of the party system in the light of what you have read in this chapter.
2. Given an example from this chapter of the lack of accommodation and aggregation mentioned in this passage.
3.  Why is it necessary for parties to accommodate and aggregate variety of interests?

• This chapter covers the major developments in Indian politics until the 2004 Elections (14th Lok Sabha). Subsequently, the Lok Sabha elections were held in 2009, during which the UPA led by the Congress won. In the 2014 and 2019 Elections, the NDA led by the BJP emerged victorious. The position of various parties in the 17th Lok Sabha is given on page 155.
• A detailed study of Members of the 17th Lok Sabha is available on the website of the Lok Sabha (http://loksabha.nic.in).
• Compare and contrast the electoral performances of various political parties since 2004. The table given below can be used for this. You can also collect the data about the results from the website of the Election Commission of India (http://eci.nic.in).
• Prepare a timeline of the major political events in India since 2004. Share and discuss it in your classroom.

Party Positions in Indian Parliament since 2004

Total Seats in Indian Parliament : 543 (530 from States and 13 from UTs)