NCERT Class 12 Political Science Politics in India Since Independence: Chapter 5 — Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System
This chapter, "Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System," from NCERT's Class 12 Political Science textbook, picks up the narrative after Chapter Two, focusing on the period following Jawaharlal Nehru's passing in May 1964. It delves into the political transition in India, exploring the challenges to the dominant Congress system. The chapter examines how intense political competition and internal party differences weakened the Congress. It discusses the fears surrounding democratic succession after Nehru and the potential for political instability, labeling the 1960s as a 'dangerous decade.' The text highlights the opposition's growing strength and the internal divisions within the Congress, setting the stage for Indira Gandhi's rise and the subsequent restoration of the Congress system through new policies and ideologies, crucial for CBSE Class 12 Political Science students.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Political Science |
| Book | Politics in India Since Independence |
| Chapter | Chapter 5 — Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 389 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the political transition in India after Jawaharlal Nehru's death.
- Describe how opposition unity and the Congress split challenged Congress dominance.
- Explain how Indira Gandhi's leadership overcame these challenges.
- Analyze the role of new policies and ideologies in restoring the Congress system.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Succession | The action or process of inheriting a title, office, property, etc. |
| Dominance | Power or influence over others. |
| Competition | An event or situation in which people or groups try to win something or be more successful than others. |
| Opposition | Political parties or groups that are not in power. |
| Transition | A process of changing from one state or condition to another. |
| Ideologies | A system of ideas and ideals, especially one which forms the basis of economic or political theory and policy. |
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Practice questions
- When did Jawaharlal Nehru pass away? Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru passed away in May 1964.
- What was the fear regarding India's democratic experiment after Nehru? Answer: It was feared that India's democratic experiment might not survive after Nehru, potentially leading to a political role for the army.
- What label was given to the 1960s in India? Answer: The 1960s were labelled as the 'dangerous decade'.
- What was the original election symbol of the Congress? Answer: The original election symbol of the Congress was a pair of bullocks.
Practice MCQs
Q1. Who passed away in May 1964, leading to questions about political succession in India?
Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, passed away in May 1964, initiating a period of political uncertainty regarding succession.
Q2. The 1960s in India were labelled as the:
Explanation: The 1960s were referred to as the 'dangerous decade' due to the multiple crises and political challenges India faced, including the question of succession after Nehru.
Q3. What was the original election symbol of the Congress party?
Explanation: The chapter mentions that the original election symbol of the Congress was a pair of bullocks, which underwent changes later.
Q4. Besides external challenges, what internal challenge did the Congress face?
Explanation: The Congress party found it difficult to retain its dominance partly because it could no longer accommodate all the diverse differences within the party itself.
Q5. What was a significant fear for India's democratic experiment after Nehru?
Explanation: Outsiders and many within India feared that the country might not manage a democratic succession, potentially leading to military rule, similar to other newly independent nations.
Frequently asked questions
What is the main theme of Chapter 5 of the NCERT Class 12 Political Science textbook?
Chapter 5, 'Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System,' discusses the political transition in India after Jawaharlal Nehru's death, the challenges faced by the Congress party's dominance, and how Indira Gandhi restored it.
When did Jawaharlal Nehru die, and what was the immediate political concern?
Jawaharlal Nehru died in May 1964. The immediate political concern was the question of succession ('after Nehru, who?') and the future of India's democratic experiment ('after Nehru, what?').
Why were the 1960s called the 'dangerous decade' for India?
The 1960s were labelled the 'dangerous decade' due to the political instability, the challenge to Congress dominance, the question of leadership succession, and fears about the survival of India's democracy.
What internal challenges did the Congress party face during this period?
The Congress faced challenges from within as it struggled to accommodate the growing diversity of opinions and interests within the party, leading to internal rifts.
What role did the opposition play in challenging Congress dominance?
The opposition became more powerful and less divided during the 1960s, posing a significant challenge to the Congress party's long-standing dominance.
What does the chapter suggest about the restoration of the Congress system?
The chapter suggests that a new Congress, led by Indira Gandhi, managed to overcome the challenges through new policies and ideologies, facilitating the restoration of the Congress system.
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NCERT Class 12 Political Science — Politics in India Since Independence — Chapter 5 — Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.