CBSE Class 10 · Political Parties

National Parties and State Parties Class 10: Criteria and Examples

Updated 14 October 2026 · Fact-checked

Every party registers with the Election Commission, which gives recognised parties a unique symbol. A State party needs 6 per cent of votes and two seats in a State Assembly election. A national party needs 6 per cent of votes in Lok Sabha or four States' Assembly polls plus four Lok Sabha seats. NCERT describes six national parties.

Both need 6% of votes, but a national party must also win four Lok Sabha seats and show strength beyond one State.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand National Parties and State Parties

Two kinds of parties in federations. Democracies with a federal system tend to have parties present in only one federal unit and parties present in several or all units. In India, country-wide parties are national parties: their units in various States broadly follow the same policies, programmes and strategy decided at the national level.

Registration and recognition.

Every party must register with the Election Commission.
The Commission treats all parties equally but offers special facilities to large, established parties: a unique symbol that only the party's official candidates can use, and other facilities. Such parties are 'recognised political parties'.
State party: at least 6 per cent of total votes in a State Legislative Assembly election and at least two seats.
National party: at least 6 per cent of total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four States, and at least four seats in the Lok Sabha.
As per the Election Commission's 2023 notification, there are six recognised national parties.

National parties described in NCERT.

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP): formed 26 November 2012 after the 2011 anti-corruption movement; stands for accountability, clean administration, transparency and good governance; formed governments in Punjab and Delhi; one Lok Sabha seat in 2019.
Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP): formed 1984 under Kanshi Ram; seeks power for the bahujan samaj (dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities); inspired by Sahu Maharaj, Mahatma Phule, Periyar and Babasaheb Ambedkar; main base Uttar Pradesh; about 3.63 per cent votes and 10 seats in 2019.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP): founded 1980 by reviving the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (formed by Syama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951); draws on India's ancient culture and Deendayal Upadhyaya's integral humanism and Antyodaya; cultural nationalism ('Hindutva') is central; came to power in 1998 leading the NDA; largest party with 303 seats in 2019; leads the ruling NDA government.
Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M): founded 1964; Marxism-Leninism; supports socialism, secularism and democracy, opposes imperialism and communalism; strong in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura; ruled West Bengal for 34 years without a break; about 1.75 per cent votes and 3 seats in 2019.
Indian National Congress (INC): founded 1885, one of the oldest parties in the world; dominant for decades after Independence; under Nehru sought a modern secular democratic republic; ruled the Centre till 1977 and 1980-89; centrist; led the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government from 2004; 19.5 per cent votes and 52 seats in 2019.
National People's Party (NPP): formed July 2013 under P.A. Sangma; the first party from North-East India to become a national party; stresses education, employment and empowerment for all; formed government in Meghalaya; one Lok Sabha seat in 2019.

State parties. Most other major parties are classified as State parties, commonly called regional parties, but they need not be regional in outlook:

some are all-India parties that have succeeded only in some States, such as the Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal, which have national-level organisations;
others, such as the Biju Janata Dal, Sikkim Democratic Front, Mizo National Front and Telangana Rashtra Samithi, are conscious of their State identity.

State parties and federalism. Over the last three decades their number and strength have grown, making Parliament more diverse. No single national party won a Lok Sabha majority on its own until 2014, so national parties had to form alliances with State parties. Since 1996, nearly every State party has been part of some national coalition government. This has strengthened federalism and democracy.

National Parties and State Parties: key facts

Recognised party: Registered with the Election Commission + meets vote and seat criteria -> unique symbol and special facilities
State party criteria: ≥ 6% of votes in a State Assembly election + ≥ 2 seats
National party criteria: ≥ 6% of votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly polls in 4 States + ≥ 4 Lok Sabha seats; Six recognised national parties (2023 notification).
National parties: AAP (2012), BSP (1984, Kanshi Ram), BJP (1980), CPI-M (1964), INC (1885), NPP (2013, P.A. Sangma); Dates and founders.
State parties: All-India type: Samajwadi Party, RJD; State-identity type: BJD, SDF, MNF, TRS; Called regional parties.
Coalition era: No single-party Lok Sabha majority until 2014; since 1996 nearly every State party has shared national power; Strengthened federalism and democracy.

How to answer National Parties and State Parties questions

Questions ask for recognition criteria, match parties with founding years, leaders or ideas, explain the role of State parties, or present a case with vote and seat figures to classify a party.

1For criteria, write votes and seats together for each category.
2For classification cases, check the vote share and seats against both sets of criteria.
3For party profiles, give founding year, leader or ideology, and base.
4For State parties, show that 'regional' is a label of reach, not always of outlook.
5For federalism, link the coalition era (since 1996) to the rise of State parties.

National Parties and State Parties in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Applying recognition criteria

Suppose a new party wins 7 per cent of votes in the Assembly election of one State and three seats there, and also polls well in two other States but wins no Lok Sabha seats.

Using the Election Commission's criteria, decide whether this imagined party can be recognised as a State party or a national party.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

State party: at least 6 per cent votes in a State Assembly election and at least two seats.
The party has 7 per cent and three seats in one State, so it qualifies there.
National party: 6 per cent in Lok Sabha or Assembly polls in four States plus four Lok Sabha seats.
It has neither four States nor any Lok Sabha seats, so it does not qualify.

Answer: The party qualifies as a State party in the State where it won 7 per cent of votes and three seats, since the criteria are at least 6 per cent and two seats. It cannot be a national party, which needs at least 6 per cent of votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly polls in four States and at least four Lok Sabha seats.

Memory hook: State: 6 and 2. National: 6 in 4, plus 4.

Tricks to remember National Parties and State Parties

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

6-2 and 6-4-4
State party: 6% and 2 seats. National party: 6% in 4 States and 4 Lok Sabha seats.
Use it when: Recognition criteria.
Founding years
INC 1885 (oldest), CPI-M 1964, BJP 1980, BSP 1984, AAP 2012, NPP 2013.
Use it when: Chronology MCQs.
NPP = North-east's first
NPP is the first party from the North-East to become national.
Use it when: MCQs.

National Parties and State Parties: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Founder of the BSP · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The Bahujan Samaj Party was formed in 1984 under the leadership of:
(a) B.R. Ambedkar
(b) Kanshi Ram
(c) P.A. Sangma
(d) Syama Prasad Mukherjee

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

NCERT: BSP was formed in 1984 under Kanshi Ram (1 mark).

Answer: (b) Kanshi Ram

Example 2: Criteria (2 marks) · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

State the criteria laid down by the Election Commission for recognising a party as a national party. (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

At least six per cent of total votes in Lok Sabha elections or in Assembly elections in four States (1 mark).
At least four seats in the Lok Sabha (1 mark).

Answer: A party must secure at least six per cent of total votes in Lok Sabha elections or Assembly elections in four States, and win at least four seats in the Lok Sabha.

Example 3: Assertion-reason: recognised parties · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): Recognised political parties are given a unique election symbol.
Reason (R): The Election Commission treats all parties equally but offers special facilities to large and established parties.
(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.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The unique symbol is one of the special facilities for large, established parties; R explains A (1 mark).

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.

Example 4: Role of State parties (3 marks) · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

How have State parties strengthened federalism and democracy in India? (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

The number and strength of State parties grew over three decades, making Parliament more diverse (1 mark).
No national party won a Lok Sabha majority alone until 2014, so national parties formed alliances with State parties (1 mark).
Since 1996, nearly every State party has been part of a national coalition government, giving States a voice at the Centre (1 mark).

Answer: State parties have grown in number and strength, making Parliament more diverse. Until 2014 no national party won a Lok Sabha majority alone, so national parties had to ally with State parties. Since 1996 nearly every State party has shared power in a national coalition, giving States a voice at the Centre and strengthening federalism and democracy.

Example 5: Case: classify the party · 4 marks · Case-basedHOTS / competency

Read the case and answer the questions.

Suppose Party X secures 8 per cent of the votes in Lok Sabha elections and wins five Lok Sabha seats. Party Y secures 12 per cent of votes in one State's Assembly election and wins 15 seats there, but has no presence elsewhere. Party Z wins 4 per cent of votes in a State Assembly election and one seat.

(i) Can Party Y be recognised as a State party? (1)
(ii) Does Party X meet the criteria for a national party? (1)
(iii) Explain why Party Z is not recognised, and what recognition would give the other parties. (2)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

(i) Yes: at least 6 per cent of votes and at least two seats in a State Assembly election (1 mark).
(ii) Yes: at least 6 per cent of votes in Lok Sabha elections and at least four Lok Sabha seats (1 mark).
(iii) Party Z has less than 6 per cent of votes and fewer than two seats, so it misses the State party criteria (1 mark).
(iii) Recognition gives a unique symbol usable only by the party's official candidates, and other special facilities (1 mark).

Answer: (i) Yes, since it has more than 6 per cent of votes and at least two seats in the Assembly election. (ii) Yes, since it has at least 6 per cent of Lok Sabha votes and at least four Lok Sabha seats. (iii) Party Z has only 4 per cent of votes and one seat, below the State party criteria of 6 per cent and two seats. Recognised parties get a unique election symbol that only their official candidates can use, plus other special facilities.

Example 6: Compare two national parties (5 marks) · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level

Compare the Indian National Congress and the Communist Party of India-Marxist on founding, ideology, support base and electoral record as given in NCERT. (5 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution

Founding: INC 1885, one of the oldest parties in the world; CPI-M 1964 (1 mark).
Ideology: INC centrist, secular, welfare of weaker sections and minorities, reforms with a human face; CPI-M Marxism-Leninism, socialism, secularism, democracy, against imperialism and communalism (1 mark).
Support base: INC present throughout the country across social divisions; CPI-M strong in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura among the poor, workers, farmers, labourers and intelligentsia (1 mark).
Record: INC dominant after Independence, ruling the Centre till 1977 and 1980-89, led the UPA; CPI-M ruled West Bengal for 34 years without a break (1 mark).
2019: INC 19.5 per cent votes and 52 seats; CPI-M about 1.75 per cent votes and 3 seats (1 mark).

Answer: The INC was founded in 1885 and is one of the world's oldest parties; the CPI-M was founded in 1964. The INC is centrist, espousing secularism and the welfare of weaker sections and minorities and supporting reforms with a human face; the CPI-M follows Marxism-Leninism, supporting socialism, secularism and democracy and opposing imperialism and communalism. The INC is present across the country and social divisions, while the CPI-M is strong in West Bengal, Kerala and Tripura among the poor, workers, farmers and intelligentsia. The INC dominated after Independence and ruled the Centre till 1977 and in 1980-89; the CPI-M ruled West Bengal for 34 years. In 2019 the INC won 52 seats and the CPI-M 3.

Where students lose marks in National Parties and State Parties

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

Mistake: Mixing up the criteria
Two sets of numbers.
Wrong working
A national party needs 6 per cent of votes and two seats.
Right working
National: 6 per cent in Lok Sabha or 4 State Assemblies + 4 Lok Sabha seats; State: 6 per cent + 2 seats.
Do this: 6-2 and 6-4-4.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Wrong founders and years
Many parties.
Wrong working
The BJP was founded by Kanshi Ram in 1984.
Right working
BSP: Kanshi Ram, 1984; BJP: 1980, revived Jana Sangh.
Do this: Learn the founding list.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Calling all State parties regional in outlook
Label taken literally.
Wrong working
All State parties only care about one region.
Right working
Some are all-India parties successful only in some States.
Do this: Give both types.
Usually costs: 1 mark.
Mistake: Forgetting the symbol benefit
Recognition's purpose missed.
Wrong working
Recognition only means a party is large.
Right working
It gives a unique symbol and special facilities.
Do this: Mention the symbol.
Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

Practise classification cases with vote and seat numbers; they test the criteria precisely.
Learn one founding fact and one ideology fact for each national party.
Link State parties to coalitions and federalism in long answers.
Political Science word limits: 40 (2 marks), 60 (3 marks), 120 (5 marks).

Practice questions on National Parties and State Parties

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level
Which party is the first from North-East India to attain national party status?
(a) Mizo National Front
(b) National People's Party
(c) Sikkim Democratic Front
(d) Biju Janata Dal
Hint
Formed in 2013 under P.A. Sangma.
Answer
(b) National People's Party
Q2 · 1 mark · MCQHarder board level
Arrange in order of founding: I. BJP II. INC III. AAP IV. CPI-M
(a) II, IV, I, III
(b) II, I, IV, III
(c) IV, II, I, III
(d) II, IV, III, I
Hint
1885, 1964, 1980, 2012.
Answer
(a) II, IV, I, III
Q3 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level
Why are State parties not always 'regional' in outlook? Give examples. (2 marks)
Hint
All-India parties that succeeded only in some States.
Answer
Some State parties are all-India parties that have succeeded only in some States, such as the Samajwadi Party and Rashtriya Janata Dal, with national-level organisations. Others, like the Biju Janata Dal and Mizo National Front, are conscious of State identity.
Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency
Suppose a student says, 'Small State parties weaken national politics.' Evaluate this view using NCERT. (3 marks)
Hint
Coalitions, diversity, federalism.
Answer
NCERT suggests the opposite. The growth of State parties made Parliament more diverse. Since no national party won a Lok Sabha majority alone until 2014, national parties had to ally with State parties, and since 1996 nearly every State party has been part of a national coalition. This gave States a voice at the Centre and strengthened federalism and democracy.
Q5 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHOTS / competency
Assertion (A): A party that wins 6 per cent of votes in one State's Assembly election but only one seat is recognised as a State party.
Reason (R): A State party must win at least two seats in the Assembly besides 6 per cent of votes.
(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.
Hint
Check the seat requirement.
Answer
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Q6 · 5 marks · Long answerHarder board level
Compare the ideology and support base of the BJP and the BSP as given in NCERT, showing which part of society each party seeks to represent. (5 marks)
Hint
Founding, ideas, base, record.
Answer
The BJP was founded in 1980 by reviving the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, formed by Syama Prasad Mukherjee in 1951. It wants a strong, modern India inspired by ancient culture and values and by Deendayal Upadhyaya's integral humanism and Antyodaya; cultural nationalism ('Hindutva') is central to its idea of nationhood. Its base, once limited to the north, west and urban areas, expanded to the south, east, North-east and rural areas; it came to power in 1998 leading the NDA and won 303 seats in 2019. The BSP was formed in 1984 under Kanshi Ram to represent the bahujan samaj (dalits, adivasis, OBCs and religious minorities), inspired by Sahu Maharaj, Phule, Periyar and Ambedkar. Its main base is Uttar Pradesh, with presence in neighbouring states.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

1.With whom must every party register?Show answer
The Election Commission.
2.How many recognised national parties are there as per the 2023 notification?Show answer
Six.
3.When was AAP formed?Show answer
26 November 2012.
4.How long did the CPI-M rule West Bengal without a break?Show answer
34 years.
5.Since when has nearly every State party been part of a national coalition?Show answer
Since 1996.

National Parties and State Parties: frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a national party and a State party?

A national party has at least 6 per cent of votes in Lok Sabha or Assembly polls in four States and four Lok Sabha seats; a State party has at least 6 per cent of votes and two seats in a State Assembly election.

Which are the national parties in NCERT Class 10?

AAP, BSP, BJP, CPI-M, INC and NPP.

What is a recognised political party?

A party that meets the Election Commission's vote and seat criteria and gets a unique symbol and other special facilities.

How have State parties strengthened federalism?

By joining national coalition governments since 1996, giving States a stronger voice at the Centre and making Parliament more diverse.