Q36
1 markMCQSection C

Find the odd one out regarding the Political Parties of India :

Political Parties
National and State Political Parties of India

Options

(A)Indian National Congress and Communist Party of India (M)
(B)Rashtriya Janata Dal and Lok Jan Shakti Party
(C)Indian National Lok Dal and Jan Nayak Janta Party
(D)Rashtriya Lok Dal and Jan Satta Dal
Official Answer

Option A — Indian National Congress and Communist Party of India (Marxist), because these are both National Parties, while every other option pairs two State/regional parties.

National PartiesState partiesIndian National CongressCPI(M)political parties classificationElection Commission of India

Marking Scheme

  • 11 mark for correctly selecting option A
  • 2No partial marks for MCQ; the option chosen must exactly match the key

Hint

Check the National Party vs State Party classification — three options pair regional/state parties from the same state, but one option pairs two National Parties.

Quick Oral Answer

The odd one out is Indian National Congress and CPI(M) because both are National Parties, while all other pairs consist of State/regional parties from the same state.

Analysis & Explanation

Tests the National-vs-State party classification from the 'Political Parties' chapter.


Concept

  • Indian National Congress and CPI(M) are both National Parties, recognised across multiple states by the Election Commission.
  • Every other option pairs two State/regional parties: RJD and LJSP (both Bihar-based); INLD and JJP (both Haryana-based, JJP being a split from INLD); RLD and Jan Satta Dal (both rooted in Uttar Pradesh).
  • Since options B, C and D each pair two State parties while option A pairs two National parties, A is the odd one out.

Common mistakes

  • Trying to spot the odd one out by ideology or alliance instead of noticing the underlying National-vs-State classification pattern running through all four options.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Trying to find an ideological 'odd one out' instead of recognising the National vs State party classification pattern
  2. 2Not recognising that RJD/LJSP, INLD/JJP, and RLD/Jan Satta Dal are each regional parties tied to a single state
  3. 3Assuming CPI(M) is a regional party rather than a recognised National Party

Interesting Facts

The Election Commission of India periodically reviews and revises the list of National and State Parties based on their vote share and seats won.

The Jannayak Janta Party (JJP) was formed in 2018 after a split in the Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) in Haryana.

As of recent ECI classifications, India has only a handful of recognised National Parties, including INC, BJP, CPI(M), BSP, NPP and AAP, while dozens of parties are recognised only as State Parties.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is option A the odd one out?

Because Indian National Congress and CPI(M) are both National Parties, while every other option pairs two State/regional parties from the same state.

What distinguishes a National Party from a State Party in India?

A National Party has recognition and significant vote/seat share across multiple states as per Election Commission criteria, while a State Party's influence and recognition are limited to one or a few specific states.