Below are 20 important questions with answers from CBSE Class 12 Political Science (Politics in India Since Independence), Chapter 5: Challenges to and Restoration of Congress System as per the 2026–27 syllabus.
Q1. What was the main challenge faced by the Congress system in the 1960s?
Answer:
The main challenge faced by the Congress system in the 1960s was the decline of Congress dominance after the death of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1964. The party faced internal factionalism, leadership crisis, and growing opposition strength. The 1967 general elections marked a turning point when Congress lost power in several states. Economic problems like food shortage, inflation, and unemployment weakened public confidence. Regional parties also emerged strongly, challenging Congress at the state level. This period showed that Congress could no longer depend on its earlier popularity and organisational unity. The party had to adapt to coalition politics and internal restructuring to maintain its relevance in Indian politics.
Q2. What is meant by ‘Congress system’?
Answer:
The term ‘Congress system’ refers to the dominant position of the Indian National Congress in Indian politics from 1952 to 1967. During this period, Congress was not only the ruling party at the Centre but also the major political force in most states. It functioned as a broad coalition of diverse social groups, regions, and ideologies. Political scientist Rajni Kothari described it as a system where opposition existed but was weak and fragmented, while Congress accommodated different interests within itself. The system ensured political stability in the early years of independence. However, internal conflicts and rising opposition later weakened this dominance, leading to significant political changes in the late 1960s.
Q3. What factors led to the split in the Congress party in 1969?
Answer:
The Congress split in 1969 was caused by ideological differences and leadership struggles between Indira Gandhi and the party’s old guard, known as the Syndicate. The immediate issue was the presidential election of 1969, where Indira Gandhi supported V.V. Giri as an independent candidate, while the party officially backed Neelam Sanjiva Reddy. This led to her expulsion from the party. Economic policy differences, especially regarding bank nationalisation and socialist reforms, also deepened divisions. Ultimately, Congress split into Congress (O) led by the Syndicate and Congress (R) led by Indira Gandhi. This split marked a major turning point in Indian political history.
Q4. What was the role of the Syndicate in Congress politics?
Answer:
The Syndicate was a powerful group of senior Congress leaders who controlled the party organisation in the 1960s. It included leaders like K. Kamaraj, S. Nijalingappa, and Atulya Ghosh. The Syndicate played a key role in selecting prime ministers after Nehru’s death, first Lal Bahadur Shastri and later Indira Gandhi. However, it gradually came into conflict with Indira Gandhi over policy decisions and leadership authority. The Syndicate represented traditional party control, while Indira Gandhi promoted a more centralised and populist leadership style. Their rivalry ultimately led to the 1969 Congress split, weakening the organisational unity of the party and reshaping Indian political dynamics.
Q5. How did the 1967 elections challenge Congress dominance?
Answer:
The 1967 general elections were a major setback for the Congress party. Although it retained power at the Centre, its majority was significantly reduced. In several states, Congress lost control and opposition coalitions formed governments. Economic difficulties like inflation, food crisis, and unemployment contributed to public dissatisfaction. Regional parties gained strength, especially in states like Tamil Nadu and West Bengal. The election marked the end of one-party dominance and the beginning of coalition politics in India. It also exposed internal weaknesses within Congress, such as factionalism and leadership disputes. This election is often seen as a turning point in Indian political history.
Q6. What is defection and why was it important in this period?
Answer:
Defection refers to the practice of elected representatives changing their party affiliation after elections, often to join ruling coalitions. During the post-1967 period, defection became a major political issue in India. Many legislators switched parties to gain power or ministerial positions, leading to instability in state governments. This phenomenon earned the term “Aaya Ram Gaya Ram,” highlighting frequent party switching. Defection weakened party discipline and undermined democratic stability. It played a significant role in the collapse of several non-Congress governments formed after 1967. The issue later led to the Anti-Defection Law of 1985 to control political instability and ensure party loyalty.
Q7. What was the significance of Indira Gandhi’s leadership?
Answer:
Indira Gandhi’s leadership marked a major transformation in the Congress party and Indian politics. After becoming Prime Minister in 1966, she adopted a strong, centralised leadership style. She implemented bold policies like bank nationalisation, abolition of privy purses, and pro-poor slogans like “Garibi Hatao.” These measures increased her popularity among the masses. She also weakened the power of the Syndicate and established her authority within the party. Her leadership led to the 1969 Congress split, after which she headed Congress (R). Indira Gandhi’s approach shifted Congress towards a more populist and personality-driven party system, strengthening her position as a dominant political figure.
Q8. What were the consequences of the 1969 Congress split?
Answer:
The 1969 Congress split had far-reaching consequences for Indian politics. It divided the party into Congress (O) and Congress (R), weakening its organisational strength. Indira Gandhi’s faction gained mass support due to her populist policies and won the 1971 elections decisively. The split marked the end of the old Congress system based on consensus politics and collective leadership. It also strengthened the trend of personality-based politics in India. The opposition parties, however, failed to remain united, allowing Congress (R) to dominate. The split ultimately transformed Congress into a more centralised party under Indira Gandhi’s leadership.
Q9. How did economic issues affect Congress in the 1960s?
Answer:
Economic issues played a major role in weakening Congress during the 1960s. India faced severe food shortages, especially during the mid-1960s, leading to dependence on food imports like PL-480 wheat from the USA. Inflation and rising prices created public dissatisfaction. Unemployment and slow industrial growth further added to economic stress. These problems reduced the popularity of the ruling Congress governments. The economic crisis also led to protests and strikes in several states. Opposition parties used these issues to challenge Congress’s credibility. Thus, economic difficulties significantly contributed to the political decline of Congress dominance during this period.
Q10. What is meant by coalition politics in India?
Answer:
Coalition politics refers to a situation where multiple political parties come together to form a government when no single party has a clear majority. After the 1967 elections, several states in India witnessed coalition governments for the first time. These coalitions included non-Congress parties that united to defeat Congress. However, these alliances were often unstable due to ideological differences and frequent defections. Coalition politics marked the end of single-party dominance in many regions. It became a defining feature of Indian democracy in later years, especially at the state level, and continues to influence Indian politics today.
Q11. What was the role of regional parties in weakening Congress?
Answer:
Regional parties played a significant role in weakening Congress dominance during the 1960s. Parties like DMK in Tamil Nadu and other state-based organisations gained strong public support by focusing on local issues, language, and regional identity. They challenged the national-level policies of Congress and demanded greater autonomy for states. In the 1967 elections, regional parties formed governments in several states, marking a major shift in Indian politics. Their rise reflected growing regional aspirations and dissatisfaction with centralised governance. This development reduced Congress’s monopoly and contributed to the emergence of a more competitive multi-party system in India.
Q12. What was Congress (O) and Congress (R)?
Answer:
After the 1969 split, the Congress party divided into two factions: Congress (O) and Congress (R). Congress (O), led by the Syndicate group of senior leaders, represented the old organisational structure and traditional leadership. Congress (R), led by Indira Gandhi, represented the newer, more populist and centralised leadership. Congress (O) focused on party discipline and institutional control, while Congress (R) relied on mass support and welfare-oriented policies. In the 1971 elections, Congress (R) emerged victorious, proving its popularity among voters. Eventually, Congress (R) became the main Congress party in India, while Congress (O) declined politically.
Q13. Why is the 1967 election considered a political turning point?
Answer:
The 1967 election is considered a political turning point because it marked the beginning of the decline of Congress dominance. For the first time since independence, Congress lost power in several states. Opposition parties formed coalition governments in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. The election also exposed internal divisions within Congress and reduced its majority at the Centre. It signalled the rise of regional parties and coalition politics. The results showed that Indian democracy was becoming more competitive and less dominated by a single party. This election changed the nature of Indian political system significantly.
Q14. What was the importance of bank nationalisation in this period?
Answer:
Bank nationalisation in 1969 was a major economic reform introduced by Indira Gandhi’s government. It involved bringing major private banks under government control. The objective was to ensure credit availability for agriculture, small industries, and weaker sections of society. This move strengthened Indira Gandhi’s populist image and increased her political support among the masses. It also created conflict with the Syndicate within Congress, contributing to the 1969 split. Bank nationalisation marked a shift towards socialist economic policies in India. It remains an important milestone in the country’s economic and political history.
Q15. What does the term ‘Garibi Hatao’ signify?
Answer:
‘Garibi Hatao’ was a political slogan used by Indira Gandhi during the 1971 election campaign. It means “Remove Poverty.” The slogan aimed to attract the poor and economically weaker sections of society. It reflected her government’s focus on poverty alleviation and social welfare policies. Measures like land reforms, nationalisation of banks, and rural development programmes were associated with this slogan. It helped Congress (R) gain massive public support and win the 1971 elections with a strong mandate. The slogan became symbolic of populist politics in India and strengthened Indira Gandhi’s leadership.
Q16. How did opposition unity affect Congress?
Answer:
Opposition unity played a significant role in challenging Congress dominance, especially in the 1967 elections. Several non-Congress parties joined together in different states to form coalition governments. This unity helped them defeat Congress in many regions. However, these alliances were often temporary and unstable due to ideological differences. Despite their weaknesses, opposition unity exposed the vulnerability of Congress and reduced its political control. It encouraged competitive politics in India and strengthened democratic diversity. Over time, opposition unity became an important strategy in Indian elections, though its effectiveness varied.
Q17. What role did leadership crisis play in Congress decline?
Answer:
The leadership crisis after Nehru’s death in 1964 significantly contributed to Congress decline. Nehru had been a unifying figure, and his absence created a vacuum. Leaders like Lal Bahadur Shastri and later Indira Gandhi faced challenges in maintaining internal unity. The emergence of the Syndicate further complicated leadership dynamics. Conflicts between traditional leaders and Indira Gandhi weakened organisational coherence. The lack of a clear and stable leadership structure led to factionalism and split within the party. This crisis reduced public confidence in Congress and contributed to its electoral setbacks in the late 1960s.
Q18. What was the impact of ‘Aaya Ram Gaya Ram’ politics?
Answer:
The phrase “Aaya Ram Gaya Ram” became popular to describe frequent party switching by legislators in the late 1960s and 1970s. It originated when a Haryana MLA changed parties multiple times in a short period. This practice led to political instability, especially in state governments formed after the 1967 elections. Governments often collapsed due to defections. It weakened party discipline and encouraged opportunistic politics. This phenomenon exposed flaws in the political system and led to demands for reform. Eventually, it contributed to the introduction of the Anti-Defection Law in 1985 to ensure stability in Indian politics.
Q19. How did Congress maintain dominance despite challenges?
Answer:
Despite challenges, Congress managed to maintain dominance at the national level during this period due to its strong organisational base and widespread social support. It remained the only party with a presence across all regions and communities. Indira Gandhi’s leadership and populist policies also helped regain public trust. The opposition remained fragmented and lacked a unified national leadership. In the 1971 elections, Congress (R) achieved a massive victory, restoring its dominance. Thus, despite internal splits and electoral setbacks, Congress continued to play a central role in Indian politics during this phase.
Q20. What was the overall impact of this period on Indian democracy?
Answer:
This period marked a major transformation in Indian democracy. The decline of Congress dominance after the 1960s led to the rise of coalition politics and stronger opposition parties. It encouraged greater political competition and regional representation. Internal conflicts within Congress resulted in leadership changes and policy shifts. The 1969 split and 1971 elections highlighted the importance of mass-based politics and populism. Indian democracy became more dynamic and less dependent on a single party. This phase laid the foundation for the multi-party system that characterises Indian politics today.