Political Parties – Old Year Questions
1. Who recognizes the political parties in India?
(a) President of India
(b) Election Commission of India
(c) Ministry of Law and Justice
(d) Speaker of Lok Sabha
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
2. A party gets recognition as a national party when –
(a) It gets 5% of total votes.
(b) It contests elections in all constituencies.
(c) It receives power in more than four States.
(d) It receives 5% of the votes in four States.
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]
3. To be recognized as a National Party in India, a party must have secured at least much percentage of votes in the previous election?
(a) At least 10 percent of valid votes in four or more States
(b) At least 4 percent of valid votes in four or more States
(c) At least 15 percent of valid votes in four or more States
(d) At least 6 percent of valid votes in more than half of the States
(e) None of the above / More than one of the above
[66th B.P.S.C. (Pre) (Re-Exam), 2020]
4. A political party in India can be recognized as a National Party if it has state party status in at least:
(a) Three states
(b) Four states
(c) Five states
(d) Seven states
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]
5. A political party is recognized as a regional party, if
(a) It gets 4% votes in the State either in Lok Sabha or the Assembly election.
(b) It gets 6% votes in the State either in Lok Sabha or the Assembly election.
(c) It gets 8% votes in the State either in Lok Sabha or the Assembly election.
(d) None of the above.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014]
6. A party can be recognized as a State Party when:
(i) It secures 6% of the total valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the Legislative Assembly of the state concerned.
(ii) it wins 2 Assembly seats at a general election to the Legislative Assembly of the state concerned.
(iii) it secures 4% of the total valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the Lok Sabha of the state concerned.
(iv) it secures 6% of the total valid votes polled in the state at a general election to the Lok Sabha of the state concerned.
(a) Only (i) or (iii)
(b) Only (i) or (iv)
(c) Only (i) and (ii)
(d) None (i) and (ii)
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2020]
7. Aam Aadmi party is a :
(a) State party
(b) National Party
(c) Regional party
(d) Registered party
(e) None of the above/More than one of the above
[65th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2019]
8. The word ‘National’ in the Indian National Congress was influenced by
(a) Ancient Indian precedents
(b) Reaction against British rule
(c) European Precedents
(d) Freedom struggle of America
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009]
9. The Nationalist Congress Party was formed in 1999 following the split in
(a) Shiv Sena
(b) Congress Party
(c) BJP
(d) BSP
[Jharkhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]
10. The Principles for election to the State Legislatures include:
1. It will be on the basis of adult suffrage.
2. There will be only one electoral roll for every territorial constituency.
3. Religion, Race, Sex, etc., will have no place in the formation of the electoral roll.
4. The political parties will be free to have their norms.
Select the correct answer from the given code:
Code :
(a) 1, 3 and 4
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1, 2 and 3
(d) All the four
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]
11. Which of the following political parties is/are national political parties?
1. Muslims League
2. Revolutionary Socialist Party
3. All India Forward Block
4. Peasants and Workers Party of India
Code :
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2 and 4
(c) 3 only
(d) None of these
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1995]
12. After the formation of the Bharatiya Janata Party, who became its first President?
(a) L.K. Advani
(b) A.B. Vajpayee
(c) M.M. Joshi
(d) Sikandar Bakht
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014 (*)]
13. Which of the following is a Regional Political party?
(a) Congress
(b) BJP
(c) CPI
(d) Akali Dal
[U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
14. Which one of the following parties is not a National Political Party?
(a) Communist Party of India
(b) Bhartiya Janata Party
(c) Telugu Desham
(d) Indian National Congress
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2009]
15. Which one of the following has been recognized as a National Party in 2016?
(a) I.N.L.D.
(b) Akali Dal
(c) T.M.C.
(d) A.I.A.D.M.K.
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
16. Who was the founder of the ‘Independent Labour Party’?
(a) R.Srinivasan
(b) B.R. Ambedkar
(c) C. Rajagopalachari
(d) Lala Lajpat Roy
[U.P. Lower sub. (Pre) 2009]
17. Which of the following parties were formed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar?
1. The Peasants and Workers Party of India
2. All India Scheduled Castes Federation
3. The Independent Labour Party.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
(a) 1 & 2 Only
(b) 2 & 3 Only
(c) 1 & 3 Only
(d) 1, 2 & 3
[I.A.S. (Pre) 2012]
18. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer by using the code given below the lists:
| List-I | List-II |
| (Political Party) | (Year of Formation) |
| A. CPI | 1. 1972 |
| B. CPM | 2. 1920 |
| C. AIADMK | 3. 1964 |
| D. Telugu Desham | 4. 1982 |
Code :
| A | B | C | D | |
| (a) | 2 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| (b) | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| (c) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| (d) | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2011]
19. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
| List-I | List-II |
| (Political Party) | (Year) |
| A. Indian National Congress | 1. 1951 |
| B. Bhartiya Jan Sangh | 2. 1972 |
| C. Communist Party of India | 3. 1885 |
| D. A.I.A.D.M.K. | 4. 1925 |
Codes :
| A | B | C | D | |
| (a) | 3 | 1 | 4 | 2 |
| (b) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| (c) | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| (d) | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 |
[U.P.R.O/A.R.O. (Mains) 2017]
20. In which year was the Communist Party of India divided into two parties- CPI and CPI (M)?
(a) 1962
(b) 1964
(c) 1966
(d) 1969
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2014 (*)]
21. Which of the following Parties were not a part of the United Front which was in power during 1996-1997?
1. Bahujan Samaj Party
2. Haryana Vikas Party
3. Samata Party
4. Asam Gana Parishad
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Code :
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 1, 2 and 3
(c) 3 and 4
(d) 1 and 2
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1998]
22. Given below is the Vote percentage secured by a political party in three successive elections to the Lok Sabha. The party which secured these percentages of votes was-
| year | 1984 | 1989 | 1991 |
| Percentage of Votes | 7.4 | 11.4 | 22.4 |
The party to receive the above-mentioned percentage of votes was-
(a) Congress (I)
(b) Bahujan Samaj Party
(c) Bhartiya Janata Party
(d) Communist Party of India (Marxist)
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]
23. Consider the following statements –
Assertion (A): The coalition government led by the Bharatiya Janata Party contains some policy guidance in the National agenda, some promises, and a few guiding principles for its governance.
Reason (R): It discusses a lot of things in detail.
Which one of the following is correct in context to the above statements?
Codes :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not a correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but, (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but, (R) is true.
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 1998]
24. In which of the following states a regional party is not in power?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Andhra Pradesh
(c) Jammu and Kashmir
(d) Kerala
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]
25. Given below are two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other labeled as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): In India, the political parties that formed the governments represented the majority of seats secured in the elections to the House of the People at the Centre and the Legislative Assemblies in the States but not the majority of votes.
Reason (R): The result of elections based on the majority vote system is decided on the basis of the relative majority of votes secured.
In the context of the above two statements which one of the following is correct?
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not a correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but, (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but, (R) is true.
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1994]
26. Given below are two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other labeled as Reason (R).
Assertion (A): The reservation of thirty-three percent of seats for women in Parliament and State Legislature does not require a Constitutional amendment.
Reason (R): Political parties contesting elections can allocate thirty-three percent of seats they contest to women candidates without any Constitutional amendment.
In the context of the above two statements which one of the following is correct?
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not a correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but, (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but, (R) is true.
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1997]
27. Consider the following statements about the Electoral Bond Scheme 2018:
(A) The aim of this scheme is to bring about transparency in the funding process of political parties.
(B) Only the political parties recognized by the Election Commission which secured not less than two percent of the votes polled in the last general election to the House of People or the Legislative Assembly of the State shall be eligible to receive the Electoral Bonds.
(C) Electoral Bonds shall be valid for fifteen calendar days from the date of issue.
(D) The Electoral Bond deposited by an eligible political party in its account shall be credited on the same day.
Which of the above statements is correct?
(a) Only (A) and (B)
(b) Only (A), (B) and (C)
(c) Only (B), (C) and (D)
(d) Only (A), (C) and (D)
[R.A.S/R.T.S (Pre) 2018]
28. Who is empowered to recognize various political parties in India as National or Regional Parties?
(a) The Parliament
(b) The President
(c) The Election Commission
(d) The Supreme Court
[45th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]
29. Consider the following statements regarding the political parties in India:
1. The Representation of the People Act, of 1951 provides for the registration of political parties
2. Registration of political parties is carried out by the Election Commission
3. A National level political party is one which is recognized in four or more states
4. During the 1999 general elections, there were six National and 48 State level parties recognized by the Election Commission
Which of the statements above is correct?
(a) 1, 2, and 4
(b) 1 and 3
(c) 2 and 4
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
[45th B.P.S.C. (Pre) 2001]
30. Who among the following scholars described the party system prevailing in India in the early years of Independence as a one-party dominant system?
(a) Myron Weiner
(b) Rajni Kothari
(c) Austin
(d) Bhikhu Parikh
[Uttarakhand P.C.S. (Pre) 2016]
31. Consider the following statements:
Assertion (A): There is no fixed party system in India.
Reason (R): There are too many political parties.
Select the correct answer from the code given below:
Code:
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A).
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not a correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true but, (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false but, (R) is true.
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2004, U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2004, U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2000]
32. The party system is the part of which larger system among the following?
(a) Social system
(b) Economic system
(c) Political system
(d) International system
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2012]
33. Inner-Party Democracy stands for –
(a) A Government formed by several parties with a common program
(b) Party closest to the party or parties forming the Government
(c) Periodical elections within the party to elect the office bearers of the party
(d) Secrets of Government are shared by parties in power
[U.P. Lower Sub. (Spl) (Pre) 2004]
34. What was the date when the Anti-Defection Bill was passed?
(a) 17 February 1985
(b) 15 February 1985
(c) 30 March 1985
(d) 21 April 1985
[U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
35. Which one of the following is not covered by the AntiDefection Law?
(a) An-bloc defections in a Party.
(b) Large defections in a Party in various spells.
(c) Smaller defection in a single spell.
(d) Party members in Parliament casting a vote either to topple or support a Government.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
36. The political parties got the Constitutional recognition for the first time in the year –
(a) 1975
(b) 1977
(c) 1985
(d) 1995
[U.P.P.C.S. (Mains) 2010]
37. Which of the following is not true about the Anti-Defection Bill?
(a) An M.P. or an M.L.A. will be disqualified if he has voluntarily given up the membership of the party to which he belonged.
(b) In the event of a member’s absence from voting in the House on a particular issue, an M.P. or M.L.A. will be disqualified.
(c) A member shall not be disqualified if there is a merger of political parties.
(d) The Speaker of the Lok Sabha will not be disqualified if he becomes a member of another political party later on.
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2011]
38. A member of the State Legislature/Parliament is considered an exception of disqualification on the grounds of defection in India, in which of the following conditions?
(a) If he voluntarily gives up the membership of his original political party on being elected as Chairman or Vice-Chairman of any house of State Legislature or of Parliament.
(b) If he re-joins the political party after he ceases to hold such office.
(c) In both of these
(d) In none of these
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]
39. The Anti-Defection Law was enacted as early as 1979 in
(a) Kerala
(b) Jammu and Kashmir
(c) West Bengal
(d) Tamil Nadu
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1993]
40. Consider the table given below provides some details of the results of the election to the Karnataka State Legislative Assembly held in December 1994.
| Political Party Popular Votes | Percentage Of Seats Obtained | Number Of Secured |
| Janta Dal | 36 | 116 |
| Congress | 31 | 35 |
| BJP | 20.4 | 40 |
In terms of electoral analysis, the voter-seat distortion is to be explained as the result of the adoption of the :
(a) Hare system
(b) Cumulative vote system
(c) First-past-the-post system
(d) Plural vote system
[I.A.S. (Pre) 1995]
41. The merger of a political party with another political party in India is recognized in which of the following conditions?
(a) When not less than one-third of members of the legislature party have agreed to such a merger.
(b) When not less than half members of the legislative party have agreed to such a merger.
(c) When not less than two-thirds of members of the legislature party have agreed to such a merger.
(d) When not less than three-fourths of members of the legislature party have agreed to such a merger.
[Chhattisgarh P.C.S. (Pre) 2019]
42. Which of the following political parties is not a national party as recognized by the Election Commission of India-
(a) Nationalist Congress Party
(b) Bahujan Samaj Party
(c) Communist Party of India
(d) Samajwadi Party
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2008]
43. To be officially recognized by the Speaker of Lok Sabha as an Opposition Group, a party, or a coalition of parties must have at least-
(a) 50 members
(b) 60 Members
(c) 80 Members
(d) 1/3 of the total members of the Lok Sabha
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2006]
44. In which State Communist parties jointly launched the “Bhu-Poratam” Movement?
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Tamil Nadu
(c) Karnataka
(d) Kerala
[R.A.S./R.T.S.(Pre) 2007]
45. The principle of ‘Kamaraj Plan’ was-
(a) To Establish an ideal socialist society
(b) Industrial Development of Tamil Nadu
(c) Making the Indian National Congress Vibrant
(d) Promotion of cooperative farming
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 1997]
46. Which of the following does not constitute the social base of the communist party in India?
(a) Agriculture and Industrial working class
(b) Business class
(c) The educated
(d) Youth
[M.P.P.C.S. (Pre) 2013]
47. Study the following statements and select the correct answer from the code given below:
Assertion (A): India has a written Constitution.
Reason (R): The growth of strong regional parties is an indicator of regional aspirations.
Code :
(a) Both (A) and (R) are true, and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)
(b) Both (A) and (R) are true, but (R) is not the correct explanation of (A).
(c) (A) is true, but (R) is false.
(d) (A) is false, but (R) is true.
[U.P.P.C.S. (Pre) (Re. Exam) 2015]