AN OVERVIEW OF INDIA’s POLITICAL PARTIES (2025)

This article goes into the current political landscape of India by examining both national and major regional parties as of 2025. It begins with a brief overview of how India’s federal parliamentary democracy operates, then provides easy to read summaries of each party’s formation, ideology, key events, and leadership. The goal is to present the information in a neutral, factual, and accessible way which would be ideal for students, general readers, or anyone looking to understand India’s dynamic party system.

India’s Political System – A Snapshot

India is a federal parliamentary republic where power is shared between the central government and 28 states. The President is the ceremonial head of state, while the Prime Minister leads the executive. The Lok Sabha (Lower House) is directly elected, and parties or coalitions with a majority form the government. The system allows for both national parties that operate across the country and regional parties that hold sway in individual states (Election Commission of India, 2024).

1. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)

• Founded: 1980, as a successor to the Bharatiya Jana Sangh

• Ideology: Hindutva (Hindu nationalism), conservative social values, and economic liberalism

• Key Moments:

  • Rose to prominence in the 1990s through the Ram Janmabhoomi movement

  • Led national governments from 1998–2004 and since 2014 under Narendra Modi

• Notable Figures: Atal Bihari Vajpayee, L.K. Advani, Narendra Modi, Amit Shah
  (Britannica, 2025)

2. Indian National Congress (INC)

• Founded: 1885, the oldest political party in India

• Ideology: Secular, centre-left, and pro-social welfare

• Key Moments:

  • Led the independence movement under Mahatma Gandhi

  • Dominated post-independence politics until the late 1980s

  • Led the UPA coalition from 2004–2014 under Dr. Manmohan Singh

• Notable Figures: Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge
  (Britannica, 2025)