CBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 18: Recent Developments in Indian Politics NCERT Solutions

Reviewed by NCERT Help Editorial Team · Updated on 29 Jul 2026

NCERT Solutions PDF Class 12 PDF

This section provides detailed NCERT Solutions for Class 12 Political Science, Chapter 18, focusing on 'Recent Developments in Indian Politics'. It covers crucial events and political shifts that shaped India after the 1980s, including the end of Congress dominance, the Mandal Commission, the Babri Masjid issue, economic reforms, and the rise of coalition governments. The solutions help students understand the chronological order of significant events, the dynamics of coalition politics, the emergence of new political forces like the BJP and regional parties, and the enduring influence of the Congress party. These explanations are designed to clarify complex political developments, aiding students in their exam preparation and providing a solid foundation for understanding contemporary Indian politics.

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Board	CBSE
Class	Class 12
Subject	Political Science
Session	2026
Language	English
Type	NCERT Solutions
Chapter	Chapter 18

Chapter summary

Chapter 18 of the Class 12 Political Science NCERT Solutions delves into the significant political transformations in India post-1989. It covers the end of the Congress system, the impact of the Mandal Commission, the Babri Masjid demolition, the New Economic Reforms, and the rise of coalition governments. The solutions also analyze the emergence of the BJP and regional parties, and the continued influence of the Congress. This chapter focuses on understanding the chronological order of events and the changing dynamics of Indian politics.

Learning outcomes

Understand the chronological order of major political events in India after 1989.
Analyze the reasons for the end of Congress dominance and the rise of coalition politics.
Explain the significance of the Mandal Commission and the Babri Masjid issue.
Identify the key factors contributing to the emergence of the BJP and regional parties.
Evaluate the role and influence of the Congress party in post-1989 Indian politics.

Topics covered

Paper topics

End of Congress System
Coalition Politics
Mandal Commission and Anti-Reservation Stir
Babri Masjid Demolition
New Economic Reforms
Rise of BJP
Role of Regional Parties
Formation of NDA
Formation of UPA
Political Alignments
Gender Justice and Personal Law
Post-1989 Political Developments

Important topics

End of Congress dominance and rise of coalition governments
Impact of Mandal Commission and Babri Masjid issue
Emergence of BJP as a major political force
Role of regional parties in coalition politics
Shifts in political alignments and ideologies

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Questions and Solutions

Question 1

Unscramble the following jumbled press clippings and arrange them in chronological order:

(a) Mandal Recommendations and Anti Reservation Stir.

(b) Formation of Janata Dal.

(d) Assassination of Indira Gandhi.

(e) The formation of NDA government.

(f) Godhra incident and its fallout.

(g) Formation of UPA government.

Solution: The events in chronological order are:

Assassination of Indira Gandhi (1984)
Formation of Janata Dal (1989)
Mandal Recommendations and Anti Reservation Stir (1990)
The demolition of Babri Masjid (1992)
The formation of NDA government (1997)
Godhra incident and its fallout (2002)
Formation of UPA government (2004)

Understanding the sequence of these major political events is crucial for grasping the trajectory of Indian politics in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Each event had profound and lasting impacts on the country's political landscape.

Question 2

Match the following:

(i) Shah Bano case	(a) Politics of Consensus
(ii) Rise of OBCs	(b) Caste based parties
(iii) Coalition government	(c) Personal Law and Gender Justice
(iv) Agreement on Economic policies	(d) Growing strength of Regional parties

Solution: The correct matches are:

(i) Shah Bano case corresponds to (c) Personal Law and Gender Justice. This case brought to the forefront debates surrounding Muslim personal law and women's rights.
(ii) Rise of OBCs corresponds to (b) Caste based parties. The increasing political mobilization of Other Backward Classes led to the formation and strengthening of parties representing their interests.
(iii) Coalition government corresponds to (d) Growing strength of Regional parties. The era of coalition governments saw regional parties playing a pivotal role in forming and sustaining national governments.
(iv) Agreement on Economic policies corresponds to (a) Politics of Consensus. While the source mentions 'Politics of Consensus' as a potential match for 'Agreement on Economic policies', it's important to note that the post-1989 era saw significant shifts in economic policies, often requiring consensus-building among diverse political actors. However, based on the provided options, this is the most plausible pairing, reflecting the need for agreement on economic reforms.

This matching exercise highlights the interconnectedness of social issues, political mobilization, and governmental structures in shaping Indian politics.

Question 3

State the main issues in Indian politics in the period after 1989. What different configurations of political parties these differences lead to?

Solution: The period after 1989 in Indian politics was marked by several significant developments and issues that profoundly impacted the political landscape:

End of Congress System: The 1989 elections signified the decline of the Congress party's dominance, leading to a multi-party system where no single party could consistently secure a majority on its own.
Mandal Issues: The implementation of the Mandal Commission's recommendations for reservations for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) sparked widespread debate and anti-reservation protests, highlighting caste as a major political fault line.
New Economic Reforms: The introduction of liberalization and economic reforms in the early 1990s brought about significant changes in the country's economic policies, leading to new political debates and realignments.
Babri Masjid Issues: The demolition of the Babri Masjid in 1992 intensified religious and communal politics, leading to significant political polarization and impacting inter-community relations.
Rise of Regional Parties: The weakening of national parties and the need for broader support bases led to the increased prominence and influence of regional parties in national politics.

These issues collectively led to the emergence of a new political configuration characterized by:

Coalition Governments: Since 1989, India has largely been governed by coalition governments, often comprising multiple national and regional parties. This necessitated compromises and power-sharing arrangements.
Multi-Party System: The political arena became more fragmented, with a greater number of parties competing for power, making it difficult for any single party to achieve a clear majority.
Emergence of New Political Forces: Parties representing specific social groups, such as Dalits and backward classes, and regional aspirations gained significant strength, altering the traditional political dynamics.

The frequent changes in government (nine governments at the centre since 1989, either coalitions or minority governments) underscore the instability and complex negotiations involved in forming and sustaining political alliances in this new era.

Question 4

"In the new era of coalition politics, political parties are not aligning or realigning on the basis of ideology." What arguments would you put forward to support or oppose this statement?

Solution: The statement that political parties are not aligning or realigning on the basis of ideology in the new era of coalition politics can be supported by several arguments:

Pragmatism over Ideology: Coalition politics often shifts the focus from deep-seated ideological differences to more pragmatic considerations. The primary goal becomes forming a government and sharing power, which may require parties with differing ideologies to come together.
Examples of Alliances: The formation of alliances like the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) provides evidence. Many constituent parties within the NDA did not necessarily share the core 'Hindutva' ideology of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the leading party. Yet, they allied to form a government and successfully completed a full term, indicating that shared political objectives or opposition to a common rival can override ideological disparities.
Power Sharing Arrangements: The emphasis in coalition politics is often on negotiating portfolios, policy compromises, and electoral adjustments rather than strict adherence to a party's foundational ideology. This flexibility allows for broader alliances.
Regional Party Influence: The significant role of regional parties in coalition governments means that national-level alliances must accommodate diverse regional interests and political platforms, which may not always align ideologically with the national parties involved.

While this perspective highlights the pragmatic nature of contemporary coalition politics, it's also worth noting that ideological underpinnings can still influence party behavior and voter choices, even if they are not the sole basis for alliance formation. The statement, however, strongly emphasizes the shift towards practical political maneuvering in forming governments.

Question 5

Trace the emergence of the BJP as a significant force in post-Emergency politics.

Solution: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as a significant political force in Indian politics, particularly in the post-Emergency period, through a series of strategic moves and electoral performances:

Post-Emergency Foundation: The BJP was formed in 1980 as a successor to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh, which had been a constituent of the Janata Party government formed after the Emergency. The initial years saw the party consolidating its base and articulating its core ideology.
Electoral Performance in 1989: In the 1989 general elections, the BJP played a crucial role by supporting the National Front government led by V.P. Singh from the outside. The primary objective was to keep the Indian National Congress out of power. This strategic support helped the BJP gain national relevance.
Impact of Mandal Commission: The National Front government's decision to implement the Mandal Commission's recommendations led to significant social and political upheaval. This move, along with other factors, prompted the BJP to reconsider its support. The party eventually withdrew its support, leading to the fall of the National Front government in November 1990. This stance helped the BJP position itself differently in the political spectrum.
Minority Government in 1996: The BJP achieved a significant electoral breakthrough in the 1996 general elections, emerging as the single largest party. It formed a minority government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, which lasted for a short period due to its inability to secure a majority in the vote of confidence. This marked the first time the BJP led the government at the Centre, even if briefly.
Formation of NDA (1998-1999): From March 1998 to October 1999, the BJP, in alliance with various other parties, formed the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee, this coalition government successfully completed its term. The formation of NDA demonstrated the BJP's ability to forge alliances and lead a multi-party government, often negotiating with regional parties who demanded significant concessions for their support.
Dominant Force in the Nineties: Throughout the 1990s, political competition at the national level became increasingly polarized between coalitions led by the BJP and those led by the Congress. This competition solidified the BJP's position as a major national political force.

The BJP's rise was thus a combination of ideological appeal, strategic alliances, and capitalizing on the shifting political dynamics following the decline of single-party dominance.

Question 6

In spite of the decline of Congress dominance, the Congress party continues to influence politics in the country. Do you agree? Give reasons.

Solution: Yes, I agree that in spite of the decline of Congress dominance, the Congress party continues to influence politics in the country. While the 1989 elections marked the end of an era of unchallenged Congress rule, the party has remained a significant player in Indian politics through various means:

Electoral Resurgence: The Congress party demonstrated its resilience by improving its performance in the Lok Sabha elections held after the 1989 defeat. It came back to power after the mid-term elections in 1991, forming a government led by P.V. Narasimha Rao, which completed its full term and initiated significant economic reforms. This showed that the party could still mobilize sufficient support to form a government.
Support to United Front Government: In the period following the 1996 elections, when no single party or pre-formed coalition could secure a clear majority, the Congress party played a crucial role by supporting the United Front government from the outside. Although ideologically distinct, this support was instrumental in keeping a non-Congress, non-BJP government in power, demonstrating the Congress's ability to influence political outcomes even from the opposition benches.
Continued Electoral Presence: Even when not in power at the Centre, the Congress has consistently remained a major opposition party, holding a significant number of seats in Parliament. Its presence influences parliamentary debates, policy discussions, and the overall political discourse.
Role in Coalition Formation: In various state-level politics and sometimes at the national level, the Congress party has been a key component in forming coalition governments, either as a leading partner or a crucial ally. Its support is often sought by other parties to form stable governments.
Ideological and Social Base: The Congress party still commands a substantial vote bank and has a deep-rooted organizational structure across the country. Its historical legacy and secular, inclusive ideology continue to resonate with a significant section of the electorate, ensuring its continued relevance.

Therefore, while the era of single-party dominance by the Congress has ended, its influence on Indian politics persists due to its electoral capabilities, strategic role in coalition politics, and its enduring organizational and ideological base.

Common mistakes

Confusing the chronological order of events.
Underestimating the impact of regional parties in coalition governments.
Failing to connect ideological shifts with political realignments.
Not fully grasping the reasons behind the decline of single-party dominance.

Revision tips

Create a timeline of the key events mentioned in the chapter.
Focus on understanding the 'why' behind each political development, not just the 'what'.
Practice matching events and their political significance, similar to Question 2.
Analyze the arguments for and against the statement on ideological alignment in coalition politics (Question 4).

Practice MCQs

Q1. Which event marked the beginning of the era of coalition governments in India after 1989?

Q2. The Shah Bano case is primarily associated with which of the following issues?

Q3. Which alliance was led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee and formed a government from March 1998?

Q4. According to the text, what led the BJP to reconsider its support for the National Front government in 1990?

Q5. The period after 1989 is characterized by the end of Congress dominance and the rise of:

Frequently asked questions

What is the main focus of Chapter 18, 'Recent Developments in Indian Politics'?

Chapter 18 focuses on the significant political changes in India after 1989, including the end of Congress dominance, the rise of coalition governments, the impact of social movements like the Mandal Commission, and the emergence of new political forces.

Why is the period after 1989 considered a new era in Indian politics?

The period after 1989 is considered a new era because it marked the end of the Congress party's dominance, leading to the rise of multi-party systems and coalition governments where regional parties played a crucial role.

How do the NCERT Solutions for this chapter help students?

These solutions provide clear, rewritten answers to textbook questions, helping students understand the chronological order of events, the reasons behind political shifts, and the dynamics of coalition politics, which is essential for exam preparation.

What role did the Mandal Commission play in post-1989 politics?

The Mandal Commission's recommendations for reservation for Other Backward Classes (OBCs) became a major political issue, leading to significant social and political stirrings and influencing electoral outcomes.

Are political parties still aligning based on ideology in the era of coalition politics?

The chapter suggests that while ideology remains a factor, pragmatic considerations and power-sharing arrangements have become increasingly important in forming political alliances during the coalition era, sometimes leading to agreements without strict ideological consensus.

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