In the democratic form of government, who are the key actors?

The correct answer is Option (3) → People

Note 1: The given answer is as per the official NTA Answer Key. However, this answer appears to be wrong: the textbook states in plain words that ‘in a democratic form of government political parties are key actors’, which supports Option (2), Political Parties, as explained below.

Option (1) Industrialists — Incorrect. Industrialists form associations such as FICCI and ASSOCHAM to make their voices heard. Such interest groups work towards influencing political parties and lobby the government; they are not the key actors themselves.

Option (2) Political Parties — Should be Correct, but has been taken as Incorrect as per the NTA answer key. In a democratic form of government political parties are key actors. A political party is an organisation oriented towards achieving legitimate control of government through an electoral process, and using that power to pursue a specific programme. The interests of different groups are also represented by political parties, who take up their case.

Option (3) People — Correct as per the NTA answer key; however, it should have been Incorrect. The people elect the government and form the groups whose interests are represented. But the actors named as key in democratic politics are the political parties, which compete for control of government and take up the people’s demands.

Note 2: The chapter ‘The Story of Indian Democracy’ of the pre-rationalised NCERT, which NTA followed in 2023, has been renamed ‘The Constitution and Social Change’ in the NCERT book (2025-26). Its section on political parties, pressure and interest groups, which this question is based on, is still there.