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Question

Illustrate with examples how political parties in India have played a crucial role in drawing the historically disadvantaged groups into the mainstream political system.

This question was previously asked in
UPSC CSE 2025 (Prelims) CSAT Official Paper (25-May-2025)

Political parties in India have played a pivotal role in integrating historically disadvantaged groups—Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, and minorities—into the democratic mainstream.

Through reservation policies, parties ensured representation in legislatures, with the Congress and later regional parties championing affirmative action. The rise of Dalit and backward caste movements was facilitated by parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and Samajwadi Party, which mobilized disadvantaged groups into political assertion.

National parties have also increasingly focused on inclusivity, evident in policies like Mandal Commission implementation by Janata Dal and later governments. Electoral manifestos often promise targeted welfare schemes for marginalized communities, linking political mobilization with social justice.

Women and minorities too gained representation through party-driven candidacies and alliances. While tokenism and caste-based politics remain concerns, parties undeniably broadened the democratic base by bringing disadvantaged groups into legislative, executive, and policy-making arenas.

Thus, political parties have been instruments of social transformation, turning democracy into an inclusive mechanism.

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Sakshi Negi

Sakshi Negi is a Delhi-based journalist and content specialist with expertise in educational content and digital media, focusing particularly on government exam preparation and career guidance. With a degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from NRAI School of Mass Communication and her background as a Kendriya Vidyalaya alumna, she brings unique insights into the Indian education system and government sector opportunities.

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