NCERT Class 12 Political Science Politics in India Since Independence: Chapter 2 — Era of One-party Dominance
This chapter, 'Era of One-party Dominance,' from NCERT's Class 12 Political Science textbook, delves into the initial decade of India's electoral politics following independence. It examines the establishment of a democratic system with free and fair elections, contrasting it with the non-democratic paths taken by many newly independent nations. The chapter highlights the dominance of the Congress party during this period and the subsequent emergence of opposition parties. It discusses the challenging circumstances India faced and the conscious decision of its leaders to pursue democracy as a means of solving national problems, rather than seeing politics as an obstacle. The text also touches upon the role of the Election Commission and the anticipation of the first general elections.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 12 |
| Subject | Political Science |
| Book | Politics in India Since Independence |
| Chapter | Chapter 2 — Era of One-party Dominance |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 4 minutes |
| Word count | 653 |
Learning outcomes
- Understand the challenges of instituting democratic politics in post-independence India.
- Analyze the reasons behind the dominance of the Congress party in the early years.
- Identify the emergence and role of opposition parties.
- Appreciate the decision to adopt democracy despite difficult circumstances.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Nation-building | The process of creating a unified national identity and state. |
| Electoral competition | Rivalry between political parties or candidates in elections. |
| One-party dominance | A situation where one political party consistently wins elections and governs. |
| Colonialism | The policy or practice of acquiring full or partial political control over another country. |
| Non-democratic rule | A system of governance that is not based on democratic principles, such as dictatorship or army rule. |
| Constituent Assembly | A body convened for the purpose of drafting the Constitution of a state. |
| Interim government | A provisional government that governs a country until a permanent government can be established. |
| Election Commission | An independent body responsible for administering elections. |
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Practice questions
- What was the dual challenge faced by India immediately after Independence, as mentioned in the chapter? Answer: The dual challenge was nation-building and instituting democratic politics.
- Why did many leaders in other newly independent countries choose non-democratic rule? Answer: They prioritized national unity and believed democracy would introduce conflicts, thus choosing non-democratic rule for effective control.
- What was the Indian leaders' perspective on politics and democracy? Answer: They saw politics as a way to solve problems and were committed to democracy, believing it was essential for governing and resolving societal differences.
- When was the Election Commission of India set up, and who was its first Chief Election Commissioner? Answer: The Election Commission of India was set up in January 1950, and Sukumar Sen became its first Chief Election Commissioner.
Practice MCQs
Q1. The chapter 'Era of One-party Dominance' is part of which NCERT book for Class 12?
Explanation: The provided text explicitly states the book is 'Politics in India Since Independence'.
Q2. According to the text, what was the first challenge India faced after independence?
Explanation: The text mentions 'The challenge of nation-building, covered in the last chapter, was accompanied by the challenge of instituting democratic politics.'
Q3. What did many leaders in other newly independent countries decide regarding democracy?
Explanation: The text states, 'Faced with such serious challenges, leaders in many other countries of the world decided that their country could not afford to have democracy.'
Q4. Who is quoted in the text regarding hero-worship in politics?
Explanation: The text includes a quote attributed to 'Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Speech in Constituent Assembly 25 November 1949'.
Q5. When did India's Constitution come into effect?
Explanation: The text states, 'You would remember that the Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and signed on 24 January 1950 and it came into effect on 26 January 1950.'
Frequently asked questions
What are the main themes covered in Chapter 2 of 'Politics in India Since Independence'?
The chapter covers the establishment of democratic elections, the dominance of the Congress party, and the emergence of opposition parties in India's first decade after independence.
What was the context for the 'Era of One-party Dominance' in India?
It refers to the period immediately after independence when the Congress party held a dominant position in the political landscape, winning successive elections.
Why is the decision to adopt democracy considered difficult for India?
India faced immense challenges like nation-building and poverty, and leaders in many other post-colonial nations opted for non-democratic rule, making India's choice of democracy a more difficult but principled path.
When was the Election Commission of India established?
The Election Commission of India was set up in January 1950.
What was the significance of the Constituent Assembly speech by B.R. Ambedkar mentioned in the chapter?
Ambedkar warned against hero-worship in politics, stating it leads to degradation and eventual dictatorship, emphasizing the need for democratic principles.
What was the initial expectation for India's first general elections?
Initially, the first general elections were expected to take place sometime in 1950 itself, shortly after the Constitution came into effect.
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NCERT Class 12 Political Science — Politics in India Since Independence — Chapter 2 — Era of One-party Dominance. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.