SSC
Lack of an effective opposition, a multi-party system, and frequent factions and defections are features of the:
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Answer: Option C — Indian political party system
Detailed Solution
These features describe the party system in India, which has developed in its own way since independence.
Main features of the Indian party system:
Multi-party system: India has a very large number of political parties, including national parties, state parties and registered unrecognised parties. This is due to the country's size, diversity of languages, religions, castes and regions.
One-party dominance: For many years after independence, the Indian National Congress dominated politics at the Centre and in most states. Political scientist Rajni Kothari called this the "Congress system".
Lack of an effective opposition: For long periods, the opposition was divided and weak, and could not offer a strong alternative.
Factions and defections: Parties have often split into factions, and legislators have frequently changed parties. The phrase "Aaya Ram, Gaya Ram" came from a Haryana legislator who changed parties several times in a single day in 1967.
Regional parties: Regional parties have grown in importance, and many of them have formed governments in the states and joined coalitions at the Centre.
Coalition politics: From the late 1980s to 2014, no single party won a majority in the Lok Sabha, and coalition governments became common.
Lack of clear ideology: Many parties have similar programmes, and alliances are often formed for electoral gain.
Recognition of parties:
The Election Commission of India recognises parties as national or state parties on the basis of their electoral performance.
Anti-defection law:
The Tenth Schedule, added by the 52nd Amendment, deals with disqualification on the ground of defection. It was later strengthened by the 91st Amendment in 2003.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The USA has a two-party presidential system dominated by the Democrats and Republicans.
- ✗China has a single-party system led by the Communist Party.
- ✗Good to know
- ✗Britain has a largely two-party system with a strong official opposition.
Quick tip
Remember: Indian party system = multi-party, one-party dominance in early years, weak opposition, defections and the rise of regional parties.
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Miscellaneous GK — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Miscellaneous GK, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic collects general knowledge questions that do not fit neatly into a single category, such as national symbols, famous nicknames of places, important events, entertainment, and facts that cut across history, geography and culture. Because these questions come from many areas, the best preparation is broad revision and regular practice. Read each explanation carefully, since it often includes a related fact that is tested in a different form. Keep a notebook of facts you get wrong and revise it before the exam. Practise the miscellaneous GK questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.