In India, the Election Commission of India (ECI) classifies political parties into national parties and state parties based on their electoral performance. A national party has wider recognition across multiple states, while a state party is recognised only in specific states. Recognition brings benefits like reserved election symbols, free airtime on All India Radio/Doordarshan during elections, and government accommodation.
National party recognition by ECI based on vote share (6% in 4+ states) or seat share (2% Lok Sabha seats from 3+ states)
Well-established national parties: BJP, INC, BSP, CPI, CPI(M), NCP
BJP symbol: Lotus; INC symbol: Hand; BSP symbol: Elephant
INC (Congress) founded 1885 — led India's independence movement
BSP founded 1984 by Kanshi Ram; leader: Mayawati
Party status reviewed after every general/state election by ECI
The Election Commission of India (ECI) grants national party status to a political party if it satisfies ANY of the following conditions:
Condition 1: The party wins at least 2% of the total seats in the Lok Sabha from at least 3 different states.
Condition 2: The party is recognised as a state party in at least 4 or more states.
Condition 3: In a Lok Sabha general election, the party secures at least 6% of valid votes in 4 or more states AND wins at least 4 Lok Sabha seats.
Party recognition is reviewed after every Lok Sabha and State Assembly election. Parties can gain or lose national party status based on their electoral performance.
Party recognition in India changes frequently based on election results:
Note for students: Because party recognition changes frequently, always check the current ECI list for the latest status. For exam purposes, the 'stable' national parties are BJP, INC, BSP, CPI, and CPI(M).
The Election Commission of India (ECI) recognises a party as a national party if it satisfies any one of: (1) Wins 2% Lok Sabha seats from 3+ states, (2) Is a recognised state party in 4+ states, or (3) Gets 6% votes in 4+ states in Lok Sabha elections AND wins 4 seats.
India's well-established national parties are: BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party — Lotus), INC (Indian National Congress — Hand), BSP (Bahujan Samaj Party — Elephant), CPI (Communist Party of India), and CPI(M) (Communist Party of India Marxist). NCP has also held national party status. Note: status changes based on election performance.
The Indian National Congress (INC/Congress) is India's oldest political party, founded in 1885 by A.O. Hume, Dinshaw Wacha, and Dadabhai Naoroji. It led the Indian independence movement from the late 19th century until 1947. The second oldest with national significance is CPI, founded in 1920.
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