{"id":121191,"date":"2026-08-26T20:20:19","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T14:50:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/?p=121191"},"modified":"2026-08-26T20:20:19","modified_gmt":"2026-08-26T14:50:19","slug":"political-parties-in-india","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/political-parties-in-india\/","title":{"rendered":"Political Parties in India, Role, Evolution, Basis, Challenges"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Political parties are an essential part of India\u2019s parliamentary democracy. They organise public interests, contest elections, form governments, provide political alternatives and connect citizens with the government. Although the Constitution does not expressly define political parties, their functioning is governed through constitutional provisions, laws and regulations of the Election Commission of India (ECI).<\/span><\/p>\n<h1><b>Political Parties in India Constitutional and Legal Basis<\/b><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The constitutional and legal framework for political parties is spread across different provisions rather than being contained in a single law.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Article 19(1)(c)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides citizens with the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/fundamental-rights-of-indian-constitution\/\" target=\"_blank\">fundamental right<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to form associations or unions, which provides the constitutional basis for forming political parties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Article 324<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gives the ECI superintendence, direction and control over elections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Section 29A of the <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/representation-of-the-people-act-1951\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>Representation of the People Act, 1951<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provides for registration of political parties with the ECI.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> lays down the framework for recognition of National and State parties and allotment of election symbols.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>The <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/52nd-constitutional-amendment-act\/\" target=\"_blank\"><b>52nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1985<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">inserted the Tenth Schedule, bringing political-party defections within the constitutional framework.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thus, political parties function through a combination of constitutional rights, parliamentary legislation and ECI regulations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Registration of Political Parties<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first step for an organisation seeking formal political-party status is registration with the <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/election-commission-of-india-eci\/\" target=\"_blank\">Election Commission of India<\/a><\/strong><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> under <\/span><b>Section 29A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An association must apply to the ECI <\/span><b>within 30 days <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">of its formation and affirm faith in the Constitution, including socialism, secularism and democracy, while also upholding the sovereignty, unity and integrity of India.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is important to distinguish registration from recognition. Registration makes an organisation a registered political party, but it does not automatically make it a National or State party or give it a permanently reserved election symbol.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Recognition of Political Parties<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Election Commission broadly classifies registered political parties as National Parties, State Parties and Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) under the Election Symbols (Reservation and Allotment) Order, 1968.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>National Parties<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A registered party is recognised as a National Party if it fulfils any one of the following conditions:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It secures at least 6% of valid votes in four or more States in a Lok Sabha or Assembly election and wins at least 4 Lok Sabha seats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It wins at least 2% of the total Lok Sabha seats, with its members elected from at least three States.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is recognised as a State Party in at least four States.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>current six National Parties are Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)], Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and National People&#8217;s Party (NPP)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recognition, however, is not necessarily permanent and depends on continued electoral performance. Under the ECI&#8217;s 2016 review policy, the status of a recognised party is reviewed after two consecutive elections, giving it an additional election to regain the required level of performance. The <\/span><b>ECI may also suspend or withdraw recognition under Paragraph 16A of the Election Symbols Order, 1968,<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> including for failure to comply with the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/upsc-exam\/model-code-of-conduct\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Model Code of Conduct<\/strong><\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or lawful directions of the Commission.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>State Parties<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A party can be recognised as a State Party if it fulfils any one of the prescribed conditions in that State, including:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Securing at least 6% of valid votes in an Assembly election and winning at least 2 Assembly seats.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Securing at least 6% of valid votes in a Lok Sabha election from the State and winning at least 1 Lok Sabha seat.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winning at least 3% of Assembly seats or 3 seats, whichever is higher.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Winning at least 1 Lok Sabha seat for every 25 Lok Sabha seats allotted to the State.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Securing at least 8% of total valid votes in the State in a Lok Sabha or Assembly election.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Registered Unrecognised Political Parties<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Registered Unrecognised Political Parties (RUPPs) are parties registered with the ECI but not recognised as either National or State parties.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">India has over 2,700 RUPPs, forming the overwhelming majority of registered political parties.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">They can contest elections but do not enjoy the same symbol-related privileges as recognised parties.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The ECI has also taken measures to identify inactive and non-compliant parties.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Role of Political Parties<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Once registered and recognised, political parties perform several functions that keep representative democracy functioning.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Contest elections by selecting and fielding candidates.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aggregate interests by bringing together different social and economic demands.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Form governments when they obtain the required legislative support.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provide opposition and hold the government accountable.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Formulate policies through manifestos and political programmes.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Recruit political leadership and provide opportunities for political participation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Connect citizens with government by communicating public demands and explaining government policies.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Evolution of the Party System in India<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The nature of political competition in India has changed significantly since independence.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>1950s-1960s (One-party dominance)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Congress dominated national and State politics. Political scientist Rajni Kothari described this phase as the &#8220;Congress System.&#8221;<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>1967 onwards (Rise of opposition and regional parties)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The 1967 elections weakened Congress&#8217;s dominance in several States and strengthened opposition and regional parties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Late 1980s-2014 (Coalition er<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">a): National politics increasingly saw coalition governments such as the National Front, United Front, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) and United Progressive Alliance (UPA).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2014-2019 (Single-party majority)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The BJP secured a majority on its own in the Lok Sabha in both 2014 and 2019.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2024 onwards (Coalition dependence)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The BJP-led NDA formed the government after the 2024 <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/lok-sabha\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lok Sabha<\/strong><\/a> elections, with the BJP depending on its allies for a parliamentary majority.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thus, India&#8217;s party system has evolved from one-party dominance to a competitive multi-party system, with regional parties becoming an important part of national politics.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Political Funding<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Political parties need financial resources for elections, organisation and political activities. This makes political funding an important issue of transparency and accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Major sources of funding include membership contributions, individual donations and corporate donations.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Companies Act, 2013<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> originally restricted corporate political contributions to 7.5% of the average net profits of the preceding three financial years. This ceiling was removed in 2017, allowing companies to make political donations without the earlier statutory limit.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Registered political parties can also receive certain income-tax exemptions, subject to prescribed conditions relating to accounts, records and donations.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>Electoral Bonds and Political Funding<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Electoral Bonds Scheme, 2018<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> allowed individuals and companies to make political contributions through authorised banking channels while keeping the donor&#8217;s identity confidential from the public.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>In Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India (2024)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme, holding that non-disclosure of political funding information violated citizens&#8217; <a href=\"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/right-to-information-act-2005\/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>right to information<\/strong><\/a> under Article 19(1)(a).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The judgment reinforced the importance of transparency and accountability in political funding.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Major Challenges<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Despite their central role in democracy, political parties face several institutional and democratic challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Weak internal democracy<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Decision-making and leadership selection are often concentrated in a small group.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dynastic politics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Leadership in some parties is strongly influenced by family succession.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Criminalisation of politics<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Candidates facing serious criminal cases continue to enter electoral politics.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Opaque political funding<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Lack of complete transparency can create concerns about undue influence.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Defections<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Although the Anti-Defection Law has reduced individual defections, political realignments through resignations and other mechanisms remain a concern.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Proliferation of RUPPs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The large number of registered but unrecognised parties creates regulatory and monitoring challenges.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Populist competition<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Electoral competition can encourage promises that raise concerns about fiscal sustainability and long-term policy priorities.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Committees on Electoral and Political-Party Reforms<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Several committees have examined ways to improve India&#8217;s electoral and political-party system.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tarkunde Committee (1975)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Recommended electoral reforms, including state funding of elections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dinesh Goswami Committee (1990)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Recommended limited state funding in kind, such as fuel, loudspeakers and copies of electoral rolls.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Vohra Committee (1993)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Examined the nexus between criminals, politicians and bureaucracy.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Supported partial state funding for recognised National and State parties, preferably in kind rather than cash.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>170th Law Commission Report (1999)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Favoured state funding in principle but stressed the need for a strong regulatory framework for political parties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">N<\/span><b>ational Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution (2001-02)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Did not favour state funding without prior regulation of political parties.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>2nd Administrative Reforms Commission (2007)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: Supported partial state funding to reduce illegitimate electoral expenditure.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Law Commission 255th Report (2015)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> on Electoral Reforms explicitly recommended introducing internal democracy rules (compulsory intra-party elections), regulating campaign expenditure limits for political parties (currently limits apply only to individual candidates), and strengthening ECI\u2019s deregistration powers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Important Judicial Interventions<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The judiciary has played an important role in strengthening accountability within India&#8217;s political system.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Kihoto Hollohan v. Zachillhu (1992)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Supreme Court upheld the broad constitutional validity of the Tenth Schedule, while holding that decisions of the Speaker or Chairman under the Anti-Defection Law are subject to judicial review.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Union of India v. Association for Democratic Reforms (2002)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Supreme Court recognised voters&#8217; right to information about election candidates, including information relating to their criminal antecedents, assets and educational qualifications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Association for Democratic Reforms v. Union of India (2024)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: The Supreme Court struck down the Electoral Bonds Scheme, reinforcing the importance of transparency in political funding and the voter&#8217;s right to information.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Way Forward<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthening political parties requires greater transparency, internal democracy and accountability.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Promote internal democracy through regular and transparent organisational elections.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Improve funding transparency through stronger disclosure and auditing requirements.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthen regulation of RUPPs by identifying inactive and non-compliant entities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ensure timely decisions on defection cases to prevent prolonged political uncertainty.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Strengthen candidate accountability through effective disclosure and enforcement mechanisms.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Encourage transparent political funding while ensuring that legitimate political activity remains adequately funded.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Political Parties in India explained with their constitutional basis, registration, recognition, functions, electoral reforms, funding, and role in democracy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":120934,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[786],"tags":[9814],"class_list":["post-121191","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-general-studies","tag-political-parties-in-india","no-featured-image-padding"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121191","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=121191"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121191\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":121221,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/121191\/revisions\/121221"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/120934"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=121191"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=121191"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/vajiramandravi.com\/current-affairs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=121191"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}