Era of One-party Dominance 12 Political Science Chapter 2 CBSE Notes 2025-26

After independence, India faced the dual challenge of nation-building and nurturing democracy. Despite difficult circumstances like Partition and poverty, Indian leaders remained committed to establishing a democratic system. 

The Indian constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950, and very soon, preparations began for the country’s first general elections to create the first democratically elected government in India’s history.

The First General Elections India’s first general elections, originally expected in 1950, finally took place between October 1951 and February 1952 due to complex preparations. These included drawing constituency boundaries and preparing electoral rolls. 

Notably, 40 lakh women were initially listed only as “wife of ...” or “daughter of ...”, but the Election Commission insisted that women should be recorded by their own names, leading to a major revision in the rolls. Conducting these elections was a massive exercise, involving over 17 crore voters, more than 3 lakh trained staff, and innovative voting methods to accommodate widespread illiteracy.

During these elections, India used a unique system: each polling booth had a box for each candidate, labelled with their symbol. Voters placed blank ballots in the box of their chosen candidate. About 20 lakh steel boxes were used, highlighting the logistical scale. This method was later replaced with stamped ballot papers, and eventually, electronic voting machines (EVMs) by 2004.

Significance of Adult Franchise India’s decision to grant universal adult franchise, allowing every citizen to vote regardless of literacy or wealth, was a bold move. Many skeptics inside and outside the country doubted that democratic elections could succeed in a poor, largely illiterate nation. However, over half of the eligible voters participated, and the results were universally accepted as fair—even by those who lost.

Congress Party’s Dominance The Indian National Congress emerged as the dominant party in independent India. It had an extensive organisational network, was closely associated with the freedom movement, and had charismatic leaders, especially Jawaharlal Nehru. 

In the first general election, Congress won 364 out of 489 Lok Sabha seats as well as a majority in almost all state legislatures. The Communist Party of India was a distant second, winning only 16 Lok Sabha seats.

This dominance continued in the second (1957) and third (1962) general elections. Congress consistently won about three-fourths of Lok Sabha seats but received around 45% of the votes, a result of the first-past-the-post electoral system. Opposition votes were often split among several rival parties, reinforcing Congress’s position.

Unique One-party Dominance Unlike single-party states like China or Cuba, Congress’s dominance was under a democratic framework. Many parties contested elections freely, but few could match Congress’s wide reach and appeal. This situation was compared to the later example of the African National Congress's post-apartheid dominance in South Africa, but within a genuine democratic context.

Social and Ideological Coalition within Congress Congress was not a single-minded entity but a broad platform accommodating various social groups and ideologies. Its leadership expanded from the upper caste and urban elite to include rural and agricultural voices. 

Diverse interests—peasants, industrialists, urban and rural groups—found a place in Congress. Even after independence, factions within Congress represented different beliefs, ambitions, and communities, making it a ‘rainbow’ coalition mirroring India’s diversity.

Emergence of Opposition Parties Even in this one-party dominant phase, several opposition parties played an active role. Some, like the Communist Party of India (CPI), the Bharatiya Jana Sangh (BJS), and the Socialist Party, had origins even before independence. 

The Socialist Party, tracing its roots to the Congress Socialist Party of 1934, promoted democratic socialism but struggled to distinguish itself after Congress adopted similar goals in 1955. The CPI, inspired by revolutionary ideas from Russia, initially supported revolution but soon participated in elections and became the largest opposition group.

Many opposition parties, including regional and ideological groups, won only a token number of seats but provided constructive criticism and kept democratic alternatives alive. Their leaders, like Jayaprakash Narayan, Acharya Narendra Dev, Rammanohar Lohia, and Balraj Madhok, laid the foundation for future political movements and parties.

Key Events: Kerala and Factionalism An important exception to Congress dominance was in Kerala in 1957, where the CPI formed the first-ever elected Communist government in the world. However, this government was dismissed by the Centre under Article 356, leading to debates about the misuse of emergency powers. 

Meanwhile, within Congress, factions provided a space for differing ambitions and beliefs, preventing splits and allowing the party to adapt and absorb many diverse viewpoints.

Role of Electoral Systems and Criticism The first-past-the-post electoral system amplified Congress’s seat share relative to its vote share. Critics argued this led to artificial majorities but also recognised the fairness and credibility of the election process. Opposition leaders often respected their rivals, setting a healthy democratic precedent in the early years.

Congress’s Legacy and Later Trends The inclusive, coalition-based nature of Congress enabled it to accommodate various interests and ideologies—a quality that initially kept opposition at bay. Over time, as Congress’s ability to do this declined, other parties gained importance. The “era of one-party dominance” thus marked a distinctive phase in the development of Indian democracy, eventually giving way to more competitive and pluralistic politics.

Key debates of this era included how to balance discipline and diversity within the party; the impact of electoral methods; and the role of opposition parties in fostering a robust democratic culture. 

The period also witnessed significant electoral innovations, such as the evolution from ballot boxes to EVMs, making elections more transparent and accessible for future generations.

Practice Questions

• Name two states where Congress did not remain in power between 1952 and 1967, and two where it did.
• Explain why the first general elections were considered a significant experiment in democracy.
• Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?
• Discuss the coalition nature of the Congress party in the first two decades after independence.

Class 12 Political Science Chapter 2 Notes – Era of One-party Dominance (Politics in India Since Independence)

These Class 12 Political Science notes on "Era of One-party Dominance" offer concise explanations of Congress’s early political power and the development of opposition parties. With clear points and important names, students can quickly review the rise of democratic practices in post-independence India. These revision notes support strong exam preparation and a deeper understanding of the chapter’s key concepts.

Based on the latest NCERT syllabus, the notes summarise facts with easy-to-read bullet points, essential dates, and relevant examples. Detailed insights into the Congress party, opposition entities, and changes in voting methods help learners recall the chapter effectively. Use these resources as a quick reference to reinforce classroom learning and homework.