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Recent Developments in Indian Politics

NCERT Class 12 · Political Science Based on NCERT Class 12 Political Science textbook · Free CBSE study kit

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Chapter Notes

Overview
This chapter provides a synoptic view of the last two decades of Indian politics, focusing on the complex and controversial developments that have shaped the present. It examines the decline of the Congress system, the rise of coalition politics, the Mandal issue and the political rise of Other Backward Classes, the Ayodhya movement and its impact on secularism and democracy, and the emergence of a new policy consensus. The one big idea a student must walk away with is that Indian democracy has evolved from a dominant party system to a competitive multi-party system based on a certain implicit agreement among the main political actors, even as new forms of politics and social movements continue to emerge.
Key Concepts (14)
Congress system
A term used by political scientists to describe the period when the Congress party enjoyed a dominant and central position in the Indian party system, acting as a 'coalition' of different interests and social groups.
e.g. The Congress party's dominance from 1947 to 1989, where it formed the government at the centre with a clear majority, is an example of the Congress system.
Coalition government
A government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties, usually when no single party secures a clear majority in the legislature.
e.g. The National Front government (1989-1990) was a coalition government formed by the Janata Dal and other regional parties with outside support from the BJP and the Left Front.
Mandal Commission
Officially known as the Second Backward Classes Commission, appointed in 1978 under the chairmanship of B.P. Mandal to investigate the extent of educational and social backwardness among various sections of Indian society and recommend ways to identify and improve the conditions of the 'backward classes'.
e.g. The Mandal Commission recommended reserving 27% of seats in educational institutions and government jobs for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
Mandal issue
The intense national debate and violent protests that followed the National Front government's decision in 1990 to implement the Mandal Commission's recommendation for OBC reservations in central government jobs.
e.g. The 'anti-Mandal' protests in north Indian cities in 1990, where students opposed the reservation policy, are a key example of the Mandal issue.
Other Backward Classes (OBCs)
An administrative category referring to communities other than Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) who suffer from educational and social backwardness; also referred to as 'backward castes'.
e.g. Castes like Yadavs, Kurmis, and Jats in north India are often classified as OBCs.
Hindutva
An ideology popularised by Vinayak Damodar Savarkar, which holds that to be an Indian, one must accept India as their 'fatherland' (pitrubhu) as well as their 'holy land' (punyabhu). It is used as a basis for Indian nationhood and political mobilisation.
e.g. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) pursued the politics of 'Hindutva' for political mobilisation after 1986.
Shah Bano case
A 1985 legal case where a 62-year-old divorced Muslim woman filed for maintenance from her former husband, and the Supreme Court ruled in her favour, leading to a debate on Muslim Personal Law.
e.g. The government's response to the Shah Bano case was to pass the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, which nullified the Supreme Court's judgement.
Ayodhya issue
A centuries-old legal and political dispute over the Ram Janmabhoomi Temple in Ayodhya, involving contentions regarding the birthplace of Shri Ram and the legal ownership of the site where a three-dome structure (Babri Masjid) was built in 1528.
e.g. The dispute culminated in the Supreme Court's verdict on November 9, 2019, which allotted the disputed site for the construction of a Ram temple and directed the government to allot an alternative site for a mosque.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
A political party founded by Kanshi Ram in 1984, based on the idea of 'Bahujan' empowerment, representing SC, ST, OBC, and religious minorities, with a strong support base among Dalit voters.
e.g. The BSP achieved a breakthrough in Uttar Pradesh in the 1989 and 1991 elections, becoming a major political player in the state.
New economic reforms
The structural adjustment programme or new economic policies initiated in 1991, which radically changed the direction of the Indian economy from state-led development to market-oriented policies.
e.g. The 1991 economic reforms, introduced by Finance Minister Manmohan Singh under Prime Minister Narsimha Rao, included liberalisation, privatisation, and globalisation.
United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
A coalition government led by the Congress party that came to power in 2004 and was re-elected in 2009, with Dr. Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister.
e.g. The UPA government completed its full term from 2004 to 2009, despite the Left parties withdrawing support in 2008 over the Indo-US nuclear deal.
National Democratic Alliance (NDA)
A coalition of political parties led by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which formed the government in 1998-1999 and again in 1999, with Atal Behari Vajpayee as Prime Minister.
e.g. The NDA government formed in 1999 completed its full term, marking the first non-Congress coalition to do so.
BAMCEF
Backward and Minority Communities Employees Federation, formed in 1978, an organisation that took a strong position in favour of political power for the 'bahujan' (SC, ST, OBC, and minorities).
e.g. BAMCEF was the precursor to the Dalit Shoshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti and later the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP).
Indira Sawhney case
The legal case in which the Supreme Court, in November 1992, upheld the government's decision to implement the Mandal Commission's recommendation for OBC reservations in central government jobs.
e.g. The Indira Sawhney case is also known as the 'Mandal verdict' and is a landmark judgement on reservations.
How It Works
Decline of the Congress system and rise of coalition politics
  1. Step 1: The Congress party's defeat in the 1989 Lok Sabha elections marked the end of its dominant position in the party system, as it was reduced from 415 seats in 1984 to 197 seats.
  2. Step 2: No single party secured a clear majority in any Lok Sabha election from 1989 to 2014, leading to the formation of coalition or minority governments.
  3. Step 3: Regional parties and state-level parties played a crucial role in forming ruling alliances, as seen in the National Front (1989), United Front (1996), NDA (1998, 1999), and UPA (2004, 2009).
  4. Step 4: The BJP broke the trend by securing a clear majority on its own in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, though it still chose to form a coalition government (NDA).
💡 Students often forget that the era of coalition politics began in 1989, not 1996, and that the BJP's majority in 2014 did not end coalition politics entirely, as the party still governed with allies.
Implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations
  1. Step 1: The Mandal Commission was appointed in 1978 by the Janata Party government to investigate backwardness and recommend ways to improve conditions for OBCs.
  2. Step 2: The Commission submitted its report in 1980, recommending 27% reservation in educational institutions and government jobs for OBCs.
  3. Step 3: In August 1990, the National Front government under V.P. Singh decided to implement the recommendation for OBC reservations in central government jobs.
  4. Step 4: This decision sparked violent 'anti-Mandal' protests in north Indian cities, with students opposing the policy.
  5. Step 5: The decision was challenged in the Supreme Court in the 'Indira Sawhney case', and in November 1992, the Court upheld the government's decision.
💡 Students often confuse the Mandal Commission (appointed in 1978) with its implementation (1990). Also, the Commission's recommendation was for 27% reservation, not 33% or 50%.
Resolution of the Ayodhya dispute
  1. Step 1: The dispute over the Ram Janmabhoomi site in Ayodhya dates back to 1528 when a three-dome structure was built at the site believed to be Shri Ram's birthplace.
  2. Step 2: The structure was sealed in 1949 due to court proceedings, and in 1986, the Faizabad district court ordered it to be unlocked, allowing worship.
  3. Step 3: Tensions escalated, leading to the demolition of the structure in 1992, which was seen by critics as a challenge to Indian democracy.
  4. Step 4: The dispute was resolved through democratic and legal procedures, culminating in a unanimous 5-0 verdict by a constitutional bench of the Supreme Court on November 9, 2019.
  5. Step 5: The verdict allotted the disputed site to the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teertha Kshetra Trust for the construction of a Ram temple and directed the government to allot an alternative site for a mosque to the Sunni Central Waqf Board.
💡 Students often forget that the Supreme Court's verdict was based on archaeological excavations and historical records, and that it sought to reconcile the interests of both communities.
Emergence of a new policy consensus
  1. Step 1: Despite intense political competition, a broad agreement emerged among most parties on four key elements.
  2. Step 2: First, agreement on new economic policies – most parties support the economic reforms initiated in 1991.
  3. Step 3: Second, acceptance of the political and social claims of the backward castes – all parties now support OBC reservations in education and employment.
  4. Step 4: Third, acceptance of the role of state-level parties in governance – the distinction between national and state parties has become less important.
  5. Step 5: Fourth, emphasis on pragmatic considerations rather than ideological positions – parties form alliances without ideological agreement, as seen in the NDA.
💡 Students often think consensus means no conflict. The chapter clarifies that consensus exists alongside severe competition and many conflicts.
Exam Traps — Don't Make These Mistakes
⚠ Confusing the Mandal Commission with its implementation
✗ The Mandal Commission was implemented in 1980.
→ The Mandal Commission submitted its report in 1980, but its recommendation for OBC reservations was implemented by the National Front government in August 1990.
✓ The Mandal Commission was appointed in 1978 and submitted its report in 1980. Its recommendation for 27% reservation for OBCs in central government jobs was implemented in August 1990 by the V.P. Singh government.
⚠ Thinking the Congress system ended in the 1960s
✗ The Congress system ended in the late 1960s when the Congress lost its dominance.
→ While the Congress faced a challenge in the late 1960s, it re-established its predominant position under Indira Gandhi. The Congress system truly ended with the 1989 elections, when the Congress was reduced to 197 seats and lost its centrality in the party system.
✓ The Congress system ended with the 1989 Lok Sabha elections, when the Congress party's seats fell from 415 in 1984 to 197, marking the beginning of an era of coalition politics.
⚠ Misattributing the Shah Bano case to the BJP
✗ The Shah Bano case was a BJP-led movement against Muslim Personal Law.
→ The Shah Bano case was a legal case where the Supreme Court ruled in favour of a divorced Muslim woman. The BJP criticised the Congress government's response (the Muslim Women Act, 1986) as 'appeasement', but the case itself was not initiated by the BJP.
✓ The Shah Bano case (1985) involved a divorced Muslim woman seeking maintenance. The Supreme Court ruled in her favour, but the government passed the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, nullifying the judgement. The BJP criticised this as 'appeasement' of the minority community.
⚠ Confusing the National Front and United Front governments
✗ The National Front government was formed in 1996.
→ The National Front government was formed in 1989 under V.P. Singh. The United Front government came to power in 1996 under H.D. Deve Gowda.
✓ The National Front government (1989-1990) was led by V.P. Singh and supported by the BJP and the Left Front. The United Front government (1996-1998) was led by H.D. Deve Gowda and I.K. Gujral, and was supported by the Congress.
⚠ Thinking the BJP's 2014 majority ended coalition politics
✗ Coalition politics ended in India after the 2014 elections because the BJP got a clear majority.
→ Although the BJP secured a clear majority on its own in 2014 and 2019, it still chose to form the NDA government with its coalition partners. The chapter states that 'the recognition of coalition politics is still relevant' even when a party gets a full majority.
✓ While the BJP secured a clear majority in 2014 and 2019, it continued to govern as part of the NDA coalition, indicating that coalition politics remains relevant in the Indian party system.
Compare & Contrast
Nature of coalition and support base
National Front (1989)
United Front (1996)
The National Front was supported by two diametrically opposite groups – the BJP and the Left Front – both of which did not join the government. The United Front was supported by the Congress, while the Left continued to support it, but the BJP did not support it.
Nature of party system and government formation
Congress system (pre-1989)
Coalition politics (post-1989)
In the Congress system, the Congress party was a 'coalition' of different interests within itself and enjoyed a dominant position, often forming single-party majority governments. In coalition politics post-1989, no single party secured a clear majority, and governments were formed by alliances of multiple parties, with regional parties playing a crucial role.
Exam Focus
Marks pattern: 2 MCQs (1 mark each), 1 Short Answer (3 marks), 1 Long Answer (5 marks), and occasionally a passage-based question (5 marks).
Most asked: Decline of the Congress system and the rise of coalition politics · Mandal Commission and the Mandal issue · Ayodhya dispute and its resolution by the Supreme Court · Rise of the BJP and the politics of Hindutva · Emergence of a new policy consensus
Don't skip: Long answer questions on the decline of the Congress system and the era of coalitions (5 marks); Long answer questions on the Mandal Commission and its political fallout (5 marks); Questions on the Ayodhya issue and the Supreme Court verdict (3-5 marks); Questions on the new policy consensus (3 marks)
One-Line Revision (read aloud before the exam)
  1. The 1989 Lok Sabha elections marked the end of the Congress system and the beginning of an era of coalition politics in India.
  2. The Mandal Commission, appointed in 1978, recommended 27% reservation for OBCs in government jobs and education, implemented in 1990.
  3. The 'Mandal issue' refers to the violent protests and national debate that followed the implementation of OBC reservations in 1990.
  4. The Ayodhya dispute was resolved by a unanimous 5-0 Supreme Court verdict on November 9, 2019, allotting the site for a Ram temple and an alternative site for a mosque.
  5. The BJP, formed in 1980, pursued the politics of 'Hindutva' after 1986, emphasising cultural nationalism.
  6. The Shah Bano case (1985) led to the Muslim Women (Protection of Rights on Divorce) Act, 1986, which nullified the Supreme Court's judgement.
  7. The Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), founded by Kanshi Ram in 1984, emerged as a major political force representing Dalits and other backward classes.
  8. The new economic reforms were initiated in 1991, radically changing India's economic direction from state-led to market-oriented policies.
  9. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) was a Congress-led coalition that came to power in 2004 and 2009, with Dr. Manmohan Singh as Prime Minister.
  10. The National Democratic Alliance (NDA) was a BJP-led coalition that formed governments in 1998, 1999, 2014, and 2019.
  11. A new policy consensus emerged among most parties on four elements: support for economic reforms, acceptance of OBC claims, role of state parties, and pragmatic alliances over ideology.
  12. The BJP secured a clear majority on its own in the 2014 and 2019 Lok Sabha elections, the first party to do so after 30 years.
  13. Kanshi Ram regarded political power as the master key to attaining social equality for the bahujan (SC, ST, OBC, and minorities).
  14. The Supreme Court's Ayodhya verdict was based on archaeological excavations and historical records, upholding the rule of law and the inclusive spirit of the Constitution.

MCQs — 10 Questions with Answers

Q1. In which year did the Congress party's electoral dominance end with a significant defeat?

  • A. 1989 ✓
  • B. 1984
  • C. 1991
  • D. 1996

Answer: A — The 1989 elections marked Congress defeat (415 seats in 1984 → 197 in 1989), ending the Congress system, though Congress returned to power in 1991 mid-terms.

Q2. The Mandal Commission recommendations led to reservation for which category of citizens?

  • A. Scheduled Castes
  • B. Scheduled Tribes
  • C. Other Backward Classes ✓
  • D. Minorities

Answer: C — The 1990 implementation of Mandal Commission recommendations provided 27% reservation for OBCs in central government jobs, sparking the Mandal issue and anti-Mandal protests.

Q3. Who was appointed Prime Minister after Rajiv Gandhi's assassination in May 1991?

  • A. V. P. Singh
  • B. Narsimha Rao ✓
  • C. Deve Gowda
  • D. H. D. Deve Gowda

Answer: B — After Rajiv Gandhi's assassination by LTTE-linked Tamil in May 1991, Congress chose Narsimha Rao as PM when Congress emerged as single largest party in 1991 elections.

Q4. What was the immediate consequence of the 1989 elections in terms of government formation?

  • A. Congress formed government with clear majority
  • B. National Front formed coalition government without Congress ✓
  • C. BJP formed government with Left Front support
  • D. No government could be formed for 6 months

Answer: B — The 1989 elections resulted in no clear majority; National Front (Janata Dal + regional parties) formed coalition govt with external support from BJP and Left Front, neither joining cabinet.

Q5. Which economic policy model was initiated in 1991 under Narsimha Rao and Manmohan Singh?

  • A. Planned economy with state control
  • B. Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation (LPG) ✓
  • C. Nationalisation of all industries
  • D. Cottage industry promotion

Answer: B — The 1991 structural adjustment programme, known as LPG reforms, marked shift from Nehruvian state-led planning to market-driven liberalisation, though started earlier by Rajiv Gandhi.

Q6. Assertion: After 1989, regional parties became kingmakers in Indian politics. Reason: No single national party could secure clear majority in Lok Sabha elections from 1989-2014.

  • A. Both assertion and reason are correct, and reason explains assertion ✓
  • B. Both assertion and reason are correct, but reason does not explain assertion
  • C. Assertion is correct but reason is incorrect
  • D. Both assertion and reason are incorrect

Answer: A — The fragmented multi-party system meant regional parties held crucial bargaining power to form coalitions; the reason directly explains why regional parties became kingmakers.

Q7. Which of the following was NOT mentioned as a major development influencing Indian politics in the late 1980s-early 1990s?

  • A. Congress electoral defeat in 1989
  • B. Mandal Commission implementation in 1990
  • C. Babri Masjid demolition in 1992 ✓
  • D. Structural adjustment programme starting 1991

Answer: C — The chapter identifies five key developments (Congress defeat 1989, Mandal issue 1990, economic reforms 1991, Ram Janmabhoomi movement influence, Rajiv Gandhi assassination 1991); Babri Masjid demolition (Dec 1992) is not listed as one of the opening five.

Q8. The National Front government of 1989 was unique because:

  • A. It was the first coalition government in Indian history
  • B. It received support from both BJP and Left Front without them joining the cabinet ✓
  • C. It had a clear majority from the beginning
  • D. It was formed without Congress participation for the first time

Answer: B — The National Front govt received external support from two ideologically opposite groups—BJP and Left Front—but neither formally joined the cabinet, showing flexibility in coalition politics.

Q9. The term 'Mandalisation' in Indian politics refers to: I. Increased caste-based political mobilisation following OBC reservations II. The decline of regional parties in electoral politics III. The transformation of electoral competition around caste identity Which statement(s) is/are correct?

  • A. Only I and III ✓
  • B. Only II and III
  • C. Only I
  • D. All three statements

Answer: A — Mandalisation refers to intensification of caste-based politics (I, III correct) through OBC reservations, making caste central to electoral competition; statement II is incorrect as regional parties actually rose after 1989.

Q10. Compare Congress party's position: In 1984, Congress won 415 seats; in 1989, it won 197 seats; in 1991, it re-emerged. This pattern shows which political transition?

  • A. Permanent decline of Congress party power
  • B. Transition from one-party dominance to multi-party competitive system ✓
  • C. Congress inability to govern India
  • D. Rise of communist parties as alternative

Answer: B — Congress's 1989 defeat ended monopoly but 1991 recovery shows Congress remained important without dominance; this pattern reflects shift to multi-party system where multiple parties compete for power, not Congress decline.

Flashcards

What marked the end of Congress system in Indian politics?

Congress defeat in 1989 elections when it fell from 415 seats (1984) to 197 seats, ending its monopoly over the party system.

Define 'Mandal issue' in Indian politics.

The 1990 decision to implement Mandal Commission recommendations for 27% OBC reservations in government jobs, which sparked violent anti-Mandal protests nationally.

What is 'Coalition Government'?

A government formed by two or more political parties joining together to secure a majority in Parliament, necessary after 1989 when no single party won clear majority.

When did structural adjustment/New Economic Policy begin in India?

Started by Rajiv Gandhi but became visible from 1991 under Narsimha Rao government, initiated by Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, marking shift from state-led to market-driven economy.

Who was assassinated in May 1991 and what was the outcome?

Rajiv Gandhi was assassinated by Sri Lankan Tamil linked to LTTE; Congress chose Narsimha Rao as PM after emerging as single largest party in 1991 elections.

What role did regional parties play after 1989 elections?

Regional parties became kingmakers in coalition governments, holding crucial bargaining power as neither Congress nor any other national party could form majority alone.

How did the National Front government (1989) get support without coalition partners joining cabinet?

National Front (Janata Dal + regional parties) got external support from two opposite groups—BJP and Left Front—without them formally joining the government.

What was the significance of Ram Janmabhoomi movement in 1990s politics?

The temple dispute transformed political discourse on secularism and democracy, culminating in Supreme Court decision (Nov 9, 2019) and changed political alignments.

Name two political consequences of the 1989 elections.

End of Congress dominance and beginning of multi-party/coalition era where no single party secured clear majority in Lok Sabha elections from 1989-2014.

What does 'Mandalisation' mean in Indian political context?

The process of caste-based politics intensifying due to OBC reservations, making caste identity central to electoral competition and political mobilisation.

Important Board Questions

What do you understand by 'Coalition Government'? Give one example from Indian politics after 1989. [2 marks]

Define coalition as alliance of 2+ parties forming majority when no single party has clear majority; example: National Front 1989 or UPA 2004-14 or NDA 1998-2004.

Explain how the implementation of the Mandal Commission recommendations in 1990 changed the nature of Indian electoral politics. Provide at least two effects. [4 marks]

Point 1: OBC reservations (27%) made caste identity central to electoral competition; Point 2: Forward caste mobilisation/anti-Mandal protests; Point 3: Caste became explicit electoral issue, weakening class-based politics; Point 4: Regional parties could now mobilise OBC voters.

Analyze the five major developments of 1989-1991 and explain why the 1989 elections marked the end of the Congress system despite Congress's return to power in 1991. How did these developments collectively reshape Indian democracy? [6 marks]

Structure: (1) Congress defeat 1989 (415→197 seats) ended monopoly despite 1991 recovery; (2) Mandal issue introduced caste-based competition; (3) Economic reforms broke policy consensus; (4) Ram Janmabhoomi movement challenged secularism; (5) Rajiv Gandhi assassination created leadership change. Conclusion: Transition from one-party dominance to multi-party coalition system where regional parties, caste groups, and market forces became central, deepening but complicating Indian democracy.

Assertion-Reason Questions for Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Q1. Assertion (A):

The defeat of Congress in 1989 elections marked the end of the 'Congress system' in Indian politics.

Reason (R):

Congress party ceased to exist after 1989 and never participated in government formation again.

Answer: C — A is true but R is false — The assertion is true - 1989 elections ended Congress dominance and centrality in the party system. However, the reason is false - Congress remained important, returned to power in 1991, and continued ruling. It lost dominance, not existence.

Q2. Assertion (A):

The Mandal Commission's implementation in 1990 led to violent anti-Mandal protests across the country.

Reason (R):

OBC reservations threatened the interests of upper castes and privileged sections who opposed the policy.

Answer: B — Both A and R are true, but R is NOT the correct explanation of A — Both statements are factually true - the Mandal issue did spark violent protests, and resistance came from upper castes fearing reservation threats. However, the reason doesn't fully explain the assertion's complexity - protests involved multiple factors including political mobilization, not just caste interest conflicts.

Q3. Assertion (A):

No single party secured clear majority in Lok Sabha elections from 1989 to 2014.

Reason (R):

This situation directly caused the emergence of coalition governments at the centre, where regional parties played crucial kingmaker roles.

Answer: A — Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A — Both assertion and reason are accurate. The absence of clear majority for any single party (1989-2014) directly necessitated coalition governments. Regional parties gained leverage to demand ministerial berths and policy concessions, making them kingmakers in coalition formation.

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Case-Based Questions (CBQ) for Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Case Study:

In the 1989 Lok Sabha elections, the Congress party's seat count dropped from 415 (1984) to 197, representing a decline of approximately 52%. Although Congress remained the single largest party, it commanded no clear majority in the 390-seat Lok Sabha. The party leadership, recognizing the political reality, decided to sit in opposition rather than attempt to form a fragile coalition government. Meanwhile, the National Front alliance, comprising the Janata Dal and regional parties, formed the government with conditional external support from two ideologically opposed groups: the left-wing Left Front and the right-wing BJP. This unusual arrangement of support without formal coalition membership created inherent instability.

Q1. Why did Congress choose to sit in opposition despite being the single largest party?

  • A. To prepare for winning more seats in the next election
  • B. Congress lacked clear majority and faced a fragmented legislature where coalition building would be unstable ✓
  • C. The Left Front refused to cooperate with Congress
  • D. Congress wanted to support the BJP-led government

Answer: B

Q2. What does the unusual arrangement of National Front government's support (BJP and Left Front not formally joining but providing external support) indicate about Indian politics?

  • A. Indian politics had developed into stable, predictable patterns
  • B. Pragmatic political alliances could form despite ideological contradictions when necessary for government formation ✓
  • C. BJP and Left Front agreed on all policy matters
  • D. Coalition governments were impossible in Indian politics

Answer: B

Q3. What was a likely consequence of Congress's decision to remain in opposition after 1989?

  • A. The party system would shift from one-party dominance to multi-party competition ✓
  • B. Congress would inevitably return to power in the next election
  • C. Regional parties would lose all political influence
  • D. The Lok Sabha would be dissolved immediately

Answer: A

Q4. The passage suggests that the National Front government's reliance on external support from ideologically opposite groups created which problem?

  • A. It made government stable and long-lasting
  • B. It strengthened democratic institutions
  • C. Inherent instability due to contradictory supporting parties with no formal coalition commitment ✓
  • D. It eliminated the need for regional party cooperation

Answer: C

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Previous Year Questions (PYQ) for Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Real CBSE board exam questions from past papers — free to attempt.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/3 · 1 mark

The alliance that has formed the government at the centre the maximum number of times:

  • United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
  • National Front
  • United Front
  • National Democratic Alliance (NDA)

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/5/1 · 1 mark

Choose the name of that political party which has Gandhian Socialism along with cultural nationalism as its ideology.

  • Socialist Party
  • Janata Party
  • National Conference
  • Bharatiya Janata Party

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/5/2 · 1 mark

The government of which political party/alliance decided to implement the recommendations of the Mandal Commission?

  • Indian National Congress
  • National Front
  • United Front
  • Janata Party

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/5/2 · 2 marks

Explain any two immediate consequences of the implementation of the recommendations of the Mandal Commission in August 1990.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/2 · 1 mark

Arrange the following events in chronological order: (i) Assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. (ii) Formation of the First Non-Congress coalition government at the centre. (iii) Sixteenth Lok Sabha elections. (iv) The Mandal Commission gave its recommendations.

  • (ii), (iii), (i), (iv)
  • (i), (iv), (iii), (ii)
  • (iv), (ii), (i), (iii)
  • (iii), (i), (ii), (iv)

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/2 · 6 marks

Describe any four factors responsible for the rise of coalition governments at the centre after the year 1989.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/3/2 · 6 marks

How did the Mandal Commission recommendations prove to be an effort to solve the problems of Other Backward Classes (OBCs)? Analyse.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/1 · 1 mark

Identify the political party which has had a continuous growth in its Lok Sabha seats in the General Elections from 2009 to 2019.

  • Indian National Congress (INC)
  • Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
  • Shiv Sena (SS)
  • Communist Party of India (CPI)

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/3 · 4 marks

Explain the evolution of the Communist Party of India in Indian Politics.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/1/3 · 6 marks

Which trends in Indian Politics may be predicted on the basis of the seats won in the general elections by various political parties from 2004 till now? Explain any three.

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/1 · 1 mark

Which was the last state toured by Rajiv Gandhi for his election campaign in May 1991?

  • Tamil Nadu
  • Karnataka
  • Kerala
  • Andhra Pradesh

CBSE 2026 · Set 59/2/1 · 2 marks

Analyse the main reason responsible for the formation of Coalition Governments after 1989.

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Class 12 Political Science Previous Year Questions, Chapter-wise

All 761 CBSE board questions from 2022–2026, sorted by chapter and question type. Free PDF download.

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Class 12 Political Science Map Work

Every state-identification clue for the map question, chapter-wise, with answers, marked with the board years (2022–2026) each was asked. Free PDF download.

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