Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Political parties perform the following major functions in a democracy:

1. Contesting Elections: Parties put up candidates, campaign on their behalf, and mobilise voters to win elections and form governments.

1. Policy-Making: Parties present different policies and programmes to the voters. The ruling party implements its policies through the government.

1. Making Laws: Parties play a decisive role in law-making. Members of Parliament belonging to a party vote together and follow party decisions.

1. Forming Government: The party that wins a majority forms the government. Its leaders occupy key executive positions.

1. Role of Opposition: Parties that lose elections sit in opposition, criticise the government's failures, and keep it accountable.

1. Shaping Public Opinion: Parties raise issues, mobilise public support, and help citizens form opinions on national matters.

Source: Chapter 4, Democratic Politics

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• The examiner expects 5 clearly labelled points (one per function) since it is a 5-mark question.
• Each point should name the function and briefly explain it — one or two lines each.
• Avoid copying long passages; paraphrase in your own words.
• Common functions tested: contesting elections, policy/programme framing, law-making, forming government, opposition role, and shaping public opinion — know all six so you can write any five confidently.