Social Science — CBSE Class 10 board question

Political parties in India face four major challenges:

1. Lack of internal democracy: Power is concentrated in one or a few top leaders. Parties do not maintain membership registers, hold organisational meetings, or conduct internal elections regularly. Ordinary members have little say in decisions, and personal loyalty to the leader becomes more important than loyalty to party principles.

1. Dynastic succession: Since parties lack transparent functioning, top positions are often controlled by members of one family. This gives unfair advantage to leaders' relatives, who may lack experience or popular support.

1. Role of money and muscle power: Parties tend to nominate candidates who can raise large funds. Rich people and companies influence party policies. Sometimes parties even support criminals to win elections.

1. Lack of meaningful choice: Ideological differences among parties have reduced sharply. Leaders keep shifting from one party to another, leaving voters with no real alternative.

Source: Chapter 4 — Challenges to political parties

---

The textbook lists exactly four challenges under the heading "Challenges to political parties." Examiners expect all four to be named and briefly explained. Use the same sequence as the book. For 5 marks, each point needs 1–2 lines — no elaborate examples needed beyond what the textbook gives. Avoid padding with unrelated material.