Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Political parties are essential for the smooth functioning of a democratic government. The following points explain their need:

1. Contesting Elections: Parties select and put up candidates for elections, giving voters a structured choice among different groups.

1. Policy Formulation: Parties present different policies and programmes to the public. A government bases its decisions on the ruling party's agenda.

1. Law Making: Parties play a decisive role in law-making. Party members in the legislature generally vote according to party direction.

1. Forming Governments: Parties recruit, train, and prepare leaders who go on to form and run governments.

1. Role of Opposition: Parties that lose elections act as the opposition—criticising wrong policies and keeping the government accountable.

1. Shaping Public Opinion: Parties raise important issues, mobilise people, and help opinions in society form around key concerns.

1. Access to Government: Parties provide ordinary citizens access to government machinery and welfare schemes.

Without parties, every representative would be independent with no accountability for national policy. Thus, political parties are a necessary condition for a democracy.

Source: Chapter 4 — Political Parties, "Why do we need political parties?" / Necessity

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• The examiner expects 7 functions/needs listed as points — this directly maps to the textbook's list plus the "Necessity" explanation.
• For 5 marks, hitting 5–7 crisp points with a brief intro and a concluding line is ideal.
• Avoid writing lengthy paragraphs; the point-format makes it easier for the examiner to award marks per point.
• The conclusion ("necessary condition for democracy") is a textbook phrase — using it scores well.