NCERT Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 4 | How Can Parties Be Reformed Class 10 Notes?
Topic & sub-topics covered: “How Can Parties Be Reformed?” and MCQs Questions: Political Parties (All single detail notes are exam-oriented).
We have discussed in-depth and exam-oriented pointers that can be asked in the board exam of class 10th about “How Can Parties Be Reformed?” from the NCERT Political Science (Civics) notes for class 10th chapter 4 “Political Parties“.
Download the NCERT Political Science (Civics) for Class 10 Chapter 4 Political Parties PDF Notes
Get comprehensive insights into the function of political parties with our Class 10 Political Science (Civics) Chapter 4 Political Parties PDF Notes. This chapter explains the role of political parties in a democracy, political parties structure, and their impact on governance.
The notes cover all important topics, such as the necessity of political parties, their classification, and the challenges parties face in India. They are prepared according to the CBSE syllabus. These notes simplify concepts and provide easy-to-understand notes with different examples to help you prepare for your board/school exams.
Download the PDF now to prepare for your Class 10 Civics exam and enhance your understanding of political parties!
How Can Parties Be Reformed Class 10 Notes?
1. Challenges to Reforming Political Parties:
- Reforming political parties is essential to address their challenges.
- Key questions:
a. Are parties willing to reform?
b. What prevents them from reforming?
c. Can reforms be enforced upon unwilling parties? - In democracies, leaders representing political parties make the final decisions.
2. Efforts to Reform Political Parties in India:
- Anti-Defection Law (Constitutional Amendment):
a. Prevents elected MLAs and MPs from switching parties.
b. Law mandates loss of legislative seat if a member defects.
c. Result: Reduced defections but restricted internal dissent within parties. - Supreme Court’s Order on Candidate Transparency:
a. Mandatory affidavits: Candidates must disclose property details and pending criminal cases.
b. Result: Public access to information improved.
c. Limitation: No mechanism to verify the authenticity of disclosed information. -
Election Commission’s Order on Internal Elections and Tax Returns:
a. Political parties must conduct organisational elections and file income tax returns.
b. Result: Compliance exists but is often treated as a mere formality.
3. Suggestions for Further Reforms:
- Regulation of Internal Party Affairs:
a. Compulsory maintenance of membership registers.
b. Adherence to party constitutions.
c. Establishment of independent authorities for resolving disputes.
d. Open elections for key party posts. - Women’s Representation:
a. One-third of party tickets to women candidates.
b. Quota for women in decision-making bodies of parties. - State Funding of Elections:
a. Government funding to support party election expenses.
b. Support in kind (e.g., fuel, stationery) or cash based on votes secured in the last election.
4. Concerns with Legal Reforms:
- Over-regulation may lead to parties finding ways to evade the law.
- Political parties are unlikely to support laws they find unfavourable.
5. Alternative Approaches to Reform:
- Public Pressure:
a. Pressure through petitions, media publicity, and agitations.
b. Public disapproval can compel parties to adopt reforms. - Active Citizen Participation:
a. Citizens should join parties to influence and improve them from within.
b. Quality of democracy depends on public involvement, not just criticism.
6. Definitions of Key Terms:
- Affidavit: A sworn document submitted to an authority containing personal information.
- Defection: Switching allegiance from the party of election to another party.
7. Conclusion:
- Reforms in political parties are crucial for improving democracy.
- Effective change requires a combination of legal measures, public pressure, and active citizen involvement.
- The solution to bad politics lies in more and better politics.
Next & Previous Topics of NCERT/CBSE Political Science (Civics) Class 10 Chapter 4: Political Parties
| Topics No. | Topics Name |
|---|---|
| 1 | Why Do We Need Political Parties? |
| 2 | How Many Parties Should We Have? |
| 3 | Challenges To Political Parties |
| 4 | How Can Parties Be Reformed? |
MCQs on NCERT Civics Class 10 Chapter 4 Tpoic – How can Parties be Reformed?
Here are top exam oriented mcq’s type questions on “Why do we need political parties?” that you should prepare for your CBSE or state board exams:
Question 1. What is defection in politics?
a) Joining multiple political parties at once
b) Changing allegiance from one political party to another
c) Refusing to participate in elections
d) Voting against the party leader
Answer: b) Changing allegiance from one political party to another
Question 2. Which institution passed a law to prevent elected representatives from changing parties?
a) Supreme Court
b) Election Commission
c) Parliament
d) High Court
Answer: c) Parliament
Question 3. What happens to an MP or MLA who changes parties after being elected?
a) They are fined by the Election Commission
b) They lose their seat in the legislature
c) They are banned from contesting elections
d) They face no consequences
Answer: b) They lose their seat in the legislature
Question 4. What was the purpose of the Supreme Court’s order regarding election candidates?
a) To ensure women get a minimum number of tickets
b) To make candidates declare their property and criminal cases
c) To abolish party funding
d) To regulate political party membership
Answer: b) To make candidates declare their property and criminal cases
Question 5. What is the major issue with the affidavit system for election candidates?
a) It is not mandatory
b) There is no system to verify the information provided
c) It prevents candidates from standing for re-election
d) It increases the influence of money in elections
Answer: b) There is no system to verify the information provided
Question 6. Which organisation mandated political parties to hold organisational elections and file income tax returns?
a) The Supreme Court
b) Election Commission
c) Parliament
d) Central Vigilance Commission
Answer: b) Election Commission
Question 7. What is one suggestion made to reform political parties?
a) Abolish political parties entirely
b) Provide state funding for elections
c) Allow MLAs to change parties freely
d) Ban the use of affidavits in elections
Answer: b) Provide state funding for elections
Question 8. How can citizens contribute to the reform of political parties?
a) By joining political parties
b) By boycotting elections
c) By criticizing from the outside
d) By refusing to vote
Answer: a) By joining political parties
Question 9. What is the risk of over-regulation of political parties?
a) Parties may become more democratic
b) Parties may find ways to cheat the law
c) Elections may become more transparent
d) Party funding will increase significantly
Answer: b) Parties may find ways to cheat the law
Question 10. Which method is suggested for state funding of elections?
a) Providing funds based on media coverage
b) Giving funds in kind, like petrol and paper
c) Eliminating taxes on political donations
d) Directly funding candidates of ruling parties
Answer: b) Giving funds in kind, like petrol and paper
Question 11. Why do political parties sometimes avoid reforms?
a) They believe reforms are unnecessary
b) They fear losing public support
c) They do not want to pass laws that restrict them
d) They lack funds for reforms
Answer: c) They do not want to pass laws that restrict them
Question 12. What does the term ‘affidavit’ mean in the context of elections?
a) A list of candidates contesting the elections
b) A signed document providing personal and criminal details
c) A document declaring allegiance to a political party
d) A record of public petitions
Answer: b) A signed document providing personal and criminal details
Question 13. What can encourage political parties to adopt reforms?
a) Pressure from foreign governments
b) Increased participation by ordinary citizens
c) Reducing the number of political parties
d) Banning criticism of political leaders
Answer: b) Increased participation by ordinary citizens
Question 14. Why was the law preventing defection introduced?
a) To reduce political instability caused by frequent defections
b) To increase transparency in election funding
c) To ensure equal representation for women
d) To control the rise of independent candidates
Answer: a) To reduce political instability caused by frequent defections
Question 15. What does the Election Commission’s mandate for organisational elections aim to improve?
a) Political party funding
b) Internal democracy in political parties
c) Representation of minority groups
d) Recruitment of party workers
Answer: b) Internal democracy in political parties