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Recent Developments in Indian Politics – Class 12 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 12 Political Science, chapter 15. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

From the late 1980s Indian politics changed significantly. The era of coalition governments began in 1989, the Mandal Commission's recommendations brought Other Backward Classes into the centre of politics, economic reforms started in 1991, and issues of identity and communalism shaped debates. Coalition governments led by both the United Progressive Alliance and the National Democratic Alliance governed for long periods. In 2014 and 2019 the BJP won a majority on its own, the first single-party majority in the Lok Sabha since 1984.

The era of coalitions

After 1989 no party won a clear majority until 2014, and governments were formed by coalitions such as the National Front, United Front, NDA and UPA.
The NDA led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee governed from 1998 to 2004, and the UPA led by Manmohan Singh from 2004 to 2014.
Coalition politics increased the importance of regional parties and required consensus on many policies.

Mandal and the rise of OBC politics

The Mandal Commission (1979) recommended 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes in central government jobs.
The V. P. Singh government implemented this recommendation in 1990, leading to protests and debates; the Supreme Court upheld it in the Indra Sawhney case (1992).
Parties representing backward classes and Dalits, such as the Samajwadi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party, gained strength.

Other major developments

Economic reforms of 1991 were continued by successive governments of different parties, showing broad consensus on development.
Communal issues, including the Ayodhya dispute and violence such as in Gujarat in 2002, became important in politics; the Supreme Court gave its verdict on the Ayodhya land dispute in 2019.
The BJP won a majority in 2014 and 2019; in 2024 the BJP-led NDA formed the government again with the support of coalition partners.

Key terms

Coalition government: a government formed by an alliance of two or more parties
Mandal Commission: the Second Backward Classes Commission that recommended reservations for OBCs
Other Backward Classes: socially and educationally backward communities other than SC and ST
NDA: the National Democratic Alliance led by the BJP
UPA: the United Progressive Alliance led by the Congress

Important questions with answers

What was the Mandal Commission?2 marks

The Mandal Commission, the Second Backward Classes Commission headed by B. P. Mandal, was set up in 1979 to identify socially and educationally backward classes; it recommended 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes in government jobs and educational institutions.

What are the main features of coalition politics in India?3 marks

In coalition politics, no single party has a majority, so governments are formed by alliances of several parties, including regional parties. Policies are made through negotiation and consensus, a common minimum programme is often adopted, and regional parties gain greater influence at the centre.

Discuss the major developments in Indian politics since 1989.5 marks

Several major changes have shaped Indian politics since 1989. First, Congress lost its dominant position in the 1989 elections, and an era of coalition governments began, with the National Front, United Front, the NDA led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee (1998–2004) and the UPA led by Manmohan Singh (2004–2014). Coalitions increased the role of regional parties and required consensus-based governance. Second, the V. P. Singh government in 1990 implemented the Mandal Commission's recommendation of 27% reservation for Other Backward Classes in central government jobs. This led to protests but also to the political rise of backward classes and Dalit-based parties; the Supreme Court upheld OBC reservation in the Indra Sawhney case of 1992 with a ceiling and the exclusion of the creamy layer. Third, the economic reforms of 1991 under Narasimha Rao and Manmohan Singh began liberalisation, and successive governments of different parties continued them, showing a broad consensus on economic policy. Fourth, issues of religious identity and communalism, including the Ayodhya dispute and incidents of communal violence, became central to political debates; the Supreme Court decided the Ayodhya land dispute in 2019. Finally, the BJP won a majority on its own in 2014 and 2019, the first single-party majority since 1984, and in 2024 the BJP-led NDA again formed the government with the support of its allies. Throughout these changes, elections have remained competitive and participation has increased, especially among the poor and marginalised.

Quick revision

Coalition era from 1989.
Mandal recommendations implemented 1990; Indra Sawhney 1992.
1991 reforms continued by all governments.
NDA 1998–2004; UPA 2004–14; BJP majority 2014 and 2019.

Exam tips

Make a timeline from 1989 to 2019 of governments at the centre.
Learn the Indra Sawhney case (1992) on OBC reservation.

Practice MCQs

The era of coalition governments at the centre began in
1. 1977
2. 1989
3. 1999
4. 2014
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1989. No party won a clear majority.
The Mandal Commission recommended reservation for
1. women
2. Other Backward Classes
3. minorities only
4. ex-servicemen
Show answer
Answer: (b) Other Backward Classes. It recommended 27%.
The UPA was led by the
1. BJP
2. Congress
3. Janata Dal
4. CPI(M)
Show answer
Answer: (b) Congress. It governed from 2004 to 2014.
The Mandal recommendations were implemented in 1990 by the government of
1. V. P. Singh
2. Rajiv Gandhi
3. Narasimha Rao
4. Vajpayee
Show answer
Answer: (a) V. P. Singh. It was the National Front government.
The Supreme Court case that upheld OBC reservation is
1. Kesavananda Bharati
2. Indra Sawhney
3. Golaknath
4. Minerva Mills
Show answer
Answer: (b) Indra Sawhney. It was decided in 1992.
The NDA government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee ruled from
1. 1989 to 1991
2. 1998 to 2004
3. 2004 to 2009
4. 2014 to 2019
Show answer
Answer: (b) 1998 to 2004. It was a coalition.
Which shows a broad consensus among parties after 1991
1. rejection of all reforms
2. continuation of economic reforms by governments of different parties
3. abolition of elections
4. ending reservations
Show answer
Answer: (b) continuation of economic reforms by governments of different parties. Policy continuity marked the period.
Coalition politics increased the influence of
1. only national parties
2. princely rulers
3. the army
4. regional parties
Show answer
Answer: (d) regional parties. Central governments needed their support.

All chapters of Class 12 Political Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.