“The Indian party system is passing through a phase of transition which looks to be full of contradictions and paradoxes.” Discuss.

Theme

T90 Party system: national vs regional parties

What UPSC asks in this theme

Questions ask whether national parties favour centralisation and regional parties favour state autonomy, and why the party system looks full of contradictions.

What to cover

• Evolution: one-party dominance → coalitions → new dominance
• Regional parties and federal demands
• Contradictions: ideology vs alliances, dynasty, defection

Writing the answer

• Use electoral trends as evidence

These notes are for the whole theme, built from all 2 of its PYQs. UPSC does not publish model answers.