Despite India’s cultural, linguistic, and regional diversity, these parties offer a platform representing the nation’s shared aspirations. There are 6 national parties in India.
Quick Summary
Despite India’s cultural, linguistic, and regional diversity, these parties offer a platform representing the nation’s shared aspirations. There are 6 national parties in India.
Table of Contents
India is the world’s largest democracy and has a lively political system. But do you know how many national parties in India? As of 2025, the country has 6 national parties, 58 state parties, and 2,763 unrecognized parties. These classifications are based on specific criteria related to electoral performance and presence across states. The status of political parties can change over time due to evolving political dynamics and performance in elections. For the most current and detailed information, you can refer to the Election Commission of India’s official website.
These parties play a significant role in shaping policies and running the government. They reflect a mix of ideas, regions, and goals. Knowing about these parties is a good place to start if you want to understand how Indian politics works. The Election Commission of India often reviews their status, so keeping track of updates is helpful. These changes can affect both elections and governance.
Do you know how many national parties in India are there and their roles? National parties play a significant role in keeping India’s democracy strong and connected. With so many regions, languages, and cultures, it’s important to have political groups that bring everyone together. National parties do just that. They help ensure that decisions benefit the entire country, not just specific areas. Let’s dive into what makes a party “national” and why these parties are so important.
The Election Commission of India (ECI) defines a national party based on clear rules. To qualify, a party must win enough votes in elections, secure a certain number of seats, and have a presence in at least four states. These requirements show how much support the party has across India. This broad influence sets national parties apart from regional ones. Knowing this helps you understand what it takes for a party to earn this status.
National parties shape how India is governed. They focus on issues that matter to everyone, like the economy, national security, and social justice. Because they operate across the country, they ensure every region and community has a voice. During elections, they also bring attention to problems affecting people nationwide, reducing the gap between areas. Their work helps keep India’s democracy and federal structure strong.
Moreover, national parties play a vital role in creating and implementing policies that aim to uplift the entire population. They often set the legislative agenda, influence budget allocation, and take part in key national discussions in Parliament. These parties act as a unifying force, bridging cultural and linguistic differences among states and promoting national integration. Their ability to mobilize people across different regions helps in maintaining political stability and encourages citizen participation. By representing the collective interests of the country, national parties contribute significantly to shaping India’s development path and ensuring long-term governance that is both inclusive and effective.
Our country is a mosaic of diversity, and knowing how many national parties exist in India is crucial for addressing problems that go beyond state or regional issues. In 2025, the Election Commission of India recognized six national parties. These parties are active, shape policies, represent different ideologies, and drive essential discussions on issues that affect the entire nation.
There are six national parties. Let’s look at each one. Here’s a quick overview of their history, key beliefs, and role in shaping India. The table below breaks it all down for you:
| Party Name | Symbol | Year Founded | Ideology/Key Focus |
| Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) | Lotus | 1980 | Right-wing, Nationalism, Economic Reforms |
| Indian National Congress (INC) | Hand | 1885 | Centre-left, Social Justice, Secularism |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) | Hammer & Sickle | 1964 | Left-wing, Marxism-Leninism, Workers’ Rights |
| Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) | Elephant | 1984 | Dalit and Minority Empowerment |
| Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) | Clock | 1999 | Centrist, Secularism, Regional Development |
| Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) | Broom | 2012 | Governance Reforms, Anti-Corruption |
India has two main types of political parties: national and regional. There are currently six national parties. National parties aim to influence the entire country, while regional parties focus on specific states or areas.
National parties play a crucial role in shaping the overall direction of the country’s political, economic, and social policies. They contest elections in multiple states, hold seats in Parliament, and often lead central governments. Their reach allows them to introduce policies that impact the nation as a whole, such as defense, foreign relations, national infrastructure, and taxation reforms. National parties typically have a broader vision and work toward ensuring national unity and development. They also play a key role in framing international relations and trade policies. Some of the most prominent national parties, such as the BJP and the Congress, have ruled India for decades, leaving a long-lasting imprint on the country’s governance and legal framework.
On the other hand, regional parties represent the local interests, culture, and needs of specific states or regions. They are deeply rooted in regional identity and are more likely to raise issues related to local governance, language rights, agricultural reforms, and state-specific economic development. Regional parties are essential for a diverse country like India, as they ensure that local voices are heard in a centralized political system. States like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Uttar Pradesh have strong regional parties that significantly influence state politics. These parties can also become kingmakers in coalition governments at the national level, giving them a strategic advantage despite limited geographic presence.
There are over 2,900 registered political parties comprising national and regional entities. Each type has its own goals, strategies, and impact. Let’s break down these differences and explore how national and regional parties affect governance. We will also look at how they work together to form coalitions.
National parties, like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress (INC), aim to impact the country. They campaign in many states and focus on national issues like economic growth, security, and social welfare. These parties try to appeal to a wide range of voters by adjusting their messages to fit different regions.
On the other hand, regional parties, such as the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Trinamool Congress (TMC), focus on local concerns. They address specific issues in their states, such as resource distribution, state governance, and local infrastructure. Regional parties deeply understand the unique needs of their areas. While national parties work to unite the country, regional parties focus on advocating for the interests of their regions and preserving regional identity.
Even with these differences, national and regional parties often form coalitions. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) are well-known examples. In both coalitions, national parties like the INC and BJP work with regional parties to secure a majority in the central government. These alliances help regional parties have a say in national policies while national parties gain regional support to form a government.
Though sometimes challenging due to differing ideologies, these collaborations show the importance of coalition politics in India. The country’s political scene is diverse, and working together is often necessary to navigate its complexity. Coalition governments ensure that more voices are represented, leading to more inclusive policymaking. They allow regional concerns to be addressed at the national level and promote unity in a federal system. These partnerships also reflect the democratic maturity of the nation, where consensus-building is essential.
While managing coalition dynamics can lead to slower decision-making, they also prevent dominance by a single party and encourage accountability. Over the years, coalition politics has become a defining feature of India’s parliamentary system, influencing everything from economic reforms to social welfare programs.
To be recognized as a national party in India, a political party must secure at least 6% of the total votes in four states during a general election.
National parties in India are recognized and influential, but they face plenty of challenges. The country’s size and diversity create hurdles for these parties in maintaining their national presence and appeal. Let’s look at some of the key obstacles they face.
National parties compete fiercely with regional parties, especially in states where local issues are more important than national ones. Regional parties have strong support in specific areas, allowing them to tap into local voter sentiments. This creates a fragmented electoral environment. National parties are up against other national contenders and well-established regional players who understand local issues.
A big challenge for national parties is staying relevant to people from all regions while addressing national concerns. India’s cultural, linguistic, and economic diversity means what works in one state might not work in another. National parties have to craft policies that balance national issues with regional concerns. But doing so is tricky. Focusing on one state’s issues may alienate voters in another state, potentially leading to a loss of support and weakening their nationwide appeal during elections. This balancing act requires constant adaptation, regional outreach, and inclusive policy-making.
Here is a list of State Political Parties in India
| Party Name | Abbreviation | Year Established | Regions/States |
|---|---|---|---|
| All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | AIADMK | 1972 | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
| All India Forward Bloc | AIFB | 1939 | West Bengal |
| All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen | AIMIM | 1927 | Telangana |
| All India N.R. Congress | AINRC | 2011 | Puducherry |
| All India United Democratic Front | AIUDF | 2004 | Assam |
| All Jharkhand Students Union | AJSU | 1986 | Jharkhand |
| Asom Gana Parishad | AGP | 1985 | Assam |
| Biju Janata Dal | BJD | 1997 | Odisha |
| Bodoland People’s Front | BPF | 1985 | Assam |
| Desiya Murpokku Dravidar Kazhagam | DMDK | 2005 | Tamil Nadu |
| Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam | DMK | 1949 | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
| Indian Union Muslim League | IUML | 1948 | Kerala |
| Hill State People’s Democratic Party | HSPDP | 1968 | Meghalaya |
| Indian National Lok Dal | INLD | 1999 | Haryana |
| Jammu & Kashmir National Conference | JKNC | 1932 | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Jammu & Kashmir National Panthers Party | JKNPP | 1982 | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Jammu & Kashmir Apni Party | JKAP | 2020 | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party | JKPDP | 1998 | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Janata Dal (Secular) | JD(S) | 1999 | Karnataka, Kerala |
| Janata Dal (United) | JD(U) | 1999 | Bihar |
| Lok Jan Shakti Party | LJP | 2000 | Bihar |
| Jharkhand Mukti Morcha | JMM | 1972 | Jharkhand |
| Rashtriya Lok Dal | RLD | 1996 | Uttar Pradesh |
| People’s Democratic Front | 2017 | Meghalaya | |
| Kerala Congress (M) | KC(M) | 1979 | Kerala |
| Maharashtra Navnirman Sena | MNS | 2006 | Maharashtra |
| Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party | MGP | 1963 | Goa |
| United People’s Party Liberal | UPPL | 2015 | Assam |
| Mizo National Front | MNF | 1959 | Mizoram |
| Mizoram People’s Conference | MPC | 1972 | Mizoram |
| Naga People’s Front | NPF | 2002 | Nagaland, Manipur |
| Nationalist Democratic Progressive Party | NDPP | 2017 | Nagaland |
| Pattali Makkal Katchi | PMK | 1989 | Tamil Nadu, Puducherry |
| People’s Party of Arunachal | PPA | 1977 | Arunachal Pradesh |
| Rashtriya Janata Dal | RJD | 1997 | Bihar, Jharkhand |
| Rashtriya Loktantrik Party | RLP | 2020 | Rajasthan |
| Zoram Nationalist Party | ZNP | 1997 | Mizoram |
| Revolutionary Socialist Party | RSP | 1940 | Kerala, West Bengal |
| Samajwadi Party | SP | 1992 | Uttar Pradesh |
| Shiromani Akali Dal | SAD | 1920 | Punjab |
| Shiv Sena | SS | 1966 | Maharashtra |
| Sikkim Democratic Front | SDF | 1993 | Sikkim |
| Sikkim Krantikari Morcha | SKM | 2013 | Sikkim |
| Telangana Rashtra Samithi | TRS | 2001 | Telangana |
| Telugu Desam Party | TDP | 1982 | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
| Tipra Motha Party | TMP | 2022 | Tripura |
| United Democratic Party | UDP | 1972 | Meghalaya |
| YSR Congress Party | YSRCP | 2011 | Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
| Samajwadi Janata Party (Rashtriya) | SJP | 1990 | Uttar Pradesh |
| Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) | CPI (ML) | 1974 | Bihar |
| Goa Forward Party | GFP | 2016 | Goa |
| Indigenous People’s Front of Tripura | IPFT | 2009 | Tripura |
| Janta Congress Chhattisgarh | JCC | 2016 | Chhattisgarh |
| Jan Nayak Janta Party | JJP | 2018 | Haryana |
National political parties in India are key to the country’s democracy. Each party plays a role in shaping the political conversation at the national level. They represent different ideologies and work on issues that affect various parts of society. Major parties like the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Indian National Congress (INC), and the Communist Party of India (CPI) have different visions for India’s future. These parties influence public opinion and the decisions that guide policy.
Understand the ideologies and policies of these parties, you get a clearer picture of how they shape the country’s political decisions. Their actions spark necessary reforms and movements that affect the nation.
As of 2025, India recognizes 6 national political parties. This number can change depending on election results and the Election Commission’s rules. It’s a good idea to stay updated on political changes. Knowing the number of national parties helps you understand the key players shaping the country’s policies.
National parties have a strong presence in many states and influence national politics. They contest elections in several states and help shape national policies. Regional parties focus on one or a few states. They address local issues and represent regional interests. Knowing this difference helps you see how power is shared between local and national political movements.
For a party to be recognized as national, it must meet specific requirements set by the Election Commission. These include securing at least 6% of the vote in four states or winning a certain number of Lok Sabha or state assembly seats. These rules ensure that only parties with significant support across India can become national parties.
National parties are essential because they offer a vision influencing the country’s policies. Their reach goes beyond state borders, shaping economic and social issues and foreign relations decisions. Understanding their role helps you grasp the long-term impact of their policies on India’s future.
Yes, regional parties can become national if they meet the criteria set by the Election Commission. This includes getting the required vote share in multiple states. This opportunity allows regional parties to grow their influence, showing that political power can shift. Voters who want their regional concerns addressed nationally will find this change meaningful.
As of 2025, the 6 national parties in India are:
1. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)
2. Indian National Congress (INC)
3. Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP)
4. Communist Party of India (CPI)
5. Communist Party of India (Marxist) – CPI(M)
6. National People’s Party (NPP)
Authored by, Amay Mathur | Senior Editor
Amay Mathur is a business news reporter at Chegg.com. He previously worked for PCMag, Business Insider, The Messenger, and ZDNET as a reporter and copyeditor. His areas of coverage encompass tech, business, strategy, finance, and even space. He is a Columbia University graduate.
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