NMMS Unit 2 - Political Parties (7th Standard Geography Term -1)
Based on the detailed text provided in the Unit 2: Political Parties PDF, here are the comprehensive notes and 30 MCQs tailored for NMMS and TNPSC exam preparation.
Comprehensive Notes: Political Parties (7th Standard Civics)
1. Introduction to Political Parties
History: In earlier times, kings ruled India (Legislative, Executive, and Judiciary powers were with one person). Later, foreign powers colonized India. After independence in 1950, India became a democratic country.
Definition: Political parties are voluntary associations of individuals with broad ideological identities who agree on some policies and formulate an agenda for society.
Goal: They seek to implement policies by winning people's support through elections.
Components: Every political party has three basic components:
The Leader
The Active Members
The Followers
2. Importance and Functions
Backbone of Democracy: Political parties are essential to form the government and formulate public opinion.
Intermediaries: They act as a bridge between citizens and policymakers.
Key Functions:
Nominate: Select and nominate individuals for elected office.
Organize: Conduct campaigns, rallies, and announce manifestos.
Inspire: Put forward policies for people's welfare.
Co-ordinate: Connect society and the state.
Govern: Form and run the government.
Provide Accountability: Provide loyal opposition and stability.
3. Party Systems
There are three major types of party systems:
Single Party System: Only one party has the right to form the government.
Examples: China, North Korea, Cuba.
Bi-Party System: Power is shared between two major parties. One becomes the ruling party, and the other becomes the opposition.
Examples: U.K. (Labour Party & Conservative Party), U.S.A. (Republican Party & Democratic Party).
Multi-Party System: Competition for power is among three or more parties.
Examples: India, France, Sweden, Norway.
4. Political Parties in India
India has the largest number of political parties in the world.
The party system in India originated in the late 19th century.
Parties are classified into three levels:
National Parties
Regional / State Parties
Registered but Unrecognized Parties (Independent candidates)
5. Recognition of Parties (Criteria by Election Commission)
To be a recognized party, specific criteria must be met:
A. National Parties
Must secure at least 6% of valid votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four states.
Must win 4 seats in Lok Sabha from any state/states.
Must win 2% of seats in Lok Sabha from at least 3 different states.
B. Regional / State Parties
Must secure at least 6% of valid votes in the state legislative assembly election.
Must win 1 Lok Sabha seat for every 25 seats or at least 2 seats in the Legislative Assembly.
Must win a minimum of 3% of total seats in the Legislative Assembly.
C. Independent Candidate
A candidate who wishes to contest without affiliation to any party.
6. Party Manifesto and Symbols
Manifesto: A public declaration of policies and aims announced during the campaign before elections.
Electoral Symbols: Standardized symbols allocated by the Election Commission.
Reserved Symbol: Meant for recognized political parties (cannot be used by others).
Free Symbol: Meant for unrecognized parties (chosen from a 'poll panel').
Fact: The Election Commission has stopped allotting animals as symbols, with the exceptions of the Lion and the Elephant.
7. Government Formation
Majority Party: The party whose number of elected candidates is more than others. They form and run the government.
Minority Party: Those with fewer elected candidates.
Opposition Party: The party with the second-largest number of seats.
Role: Check autocratic tendencies, critically examine policies, and highlight failures.
Status: The leader of the opposition party enjoys the rank of a Cabinet Minister.
Coalition Government: When no single party gets a majority, parties join together to form the government.
8. Election Commission of India
An autonomous, constitutional authority responsible for administering elections.
Headquarters: New Delhi.
Role: Ensures free and fair elections.
30 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
Which country follows a Single Party System?
A) India
B) France
C) China
D) USA
The headquarters of the Election Commission of India is located in:
A) Mumbai
B) Kolkata
C) New Delhi
D) Chennai
To be recognized as a National Party, a party must secure at least ______ of valid votes in Lok Sabha elections.
A) 4%
B) 6%
C) 8%
D) 10%
Which of the following is an example of a Bi-Party system?
A) India
B) China
C) United Kingdom (U.K.)
D) France
Who enjoys the rank of a Cabinet Minister?
A) The Speaker
B) The Leader of the Opposition
C) The Vice President
D) The Chief Justice
A system where power is shared between two parties is called:
A) Single Party System
B) Multi-Party System
C) Bi-Party System
D) Coalition System
Which animal symbols are exceptions and still allotted by the Election Commission?
A) Tiger and Lion
B) Elephant and Lion
C) Cow and Goat
D) Horse and Elephant
When no single party gets a majority, the government formed is called:
A) Minority Government
B) Coalition Government
C) Unitary Government
D) Federal Government
Political parties are the ______ of democracy.
A) Heart
B) Backbone
C) Brain
D) Soul
The declaration of policies and aims by a political party before elections is called:
A) Constitution
B) Preamble
C) Manifesto
D) Law
In India, the party system originated in the late:
A) 18th Century
B) 19th Century
C) 20th Century
D) 21st Century
Which country has the largest number of political parties in the world?
A) USA
B) China
C) India
D) UK
How many basic components does a political party have?
A) Two
B) Three
C) Four
D) Five
Which party plays a decisive role in making laws for the country?
A) Minority Party
B) Opposition Party
C) Majority Party
D) Independent Candidates
A symbol reserved for a recognized political party is called:
A) Free Symbol
B) Reserved Symbol
C) National Symbol
D) State Symbol
Candidates who do not belong to any political party are called:
A) Regional Candidates
B) Independent Candidates
C) Minority Candidates
D) Opposition Candidates
Which of the following is NOT a function of a political party?
A) Nominate candidates
B) Organize rallies
C) Enforce laws (Judiciary role)
D) Form the government
To be a State Party, it must win at least ______ seats in the Legislative Assembly.
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 4
The Election Commission of India is a/an ______ body.
A) Private
B) Statutory / Constitutional
C) International
D) Temporary
Which party system exists in France, Sweden, and Norway?
A) Single Party
B) Bi-Party
C) Multi-Party
D) Dual Party
A political party must have at least ______ members to be registered.
A) 50
B) 100
C) 200
D) 500
The Labour Party and Conservative Party belong to which country?
A) USA
B) UK
C) India
D) China
The Republican Party and Democratic Party belong to which country?
A) UK
B) USA
C) France
D) Cuba
A recognized party must have engaged in political activity for how many years?
A) 2 years
B) 3 years
C) 5 years
D) 10 years
The symbol 'Bow and Arrow' belongs to which party in Maharashtra?
A) BJP
B) Congress
C) Shiv Sena
D) JMM
Which body is responsible for administering elections in India?
A) Parliament
B) Supreme Court
C) Election Commission
D) President
What is the main role of the Opposition Party?
A) Form the government
B) Make laws
C) Criticize government policies
D) Appoint ministers
An Independent candidate must choose a symbol from the:
A) Reserved List
B) Poll Panel (Free Symbols)
C) National Symbols
D) Animal List
Which type of party promotes regional and state interests?
A) National Party
B) Regional / State Party
C) International Party
D) Ruling Party
Democracy became the form of government in India in which year?
A) 1947
B) 1950
C) 1952
D) 1945
Answer Key
C (China)
C (New Delhi)
B (6%)
C (United Kingdom)
B (The Leader of the Opposition)
C (Bi-Party System)
B (Elephant and Lion)
B (Coalition Government)
B (Backbone)
C (Manifesto)
B (19th Century)
C (India)
B (Three - Leader, Active Members, Followers)
C (Majority Party)
B (Reserved Symbol)
B (Independent Candidates)
C (Enforce laws - Judiciary does this)
B (2)
B (Statutory / Constitutional)
C (Multi-Party)
B (100)
B (UK)
B (USA)
C (5 years)
C (Shiv Sena)
C (Election Commission)
C (Criticize government policies)
B (Poll Panel)
B (Regional / State Party)
B (1950)