1 minPolitical Concept
Political Concept

Coalition Government

What is Coalition Government?

A coalition government is a government formed when no single political party secures an absolute majority in an election. It involves two or more political parties joining together to form a government.

Historical Background

Coalition governments have become increasingly common in India, particularly at the national level, since the late 1980s. The era of single-party dominance ended with the rise of regional parties and fragmented electoral mandates.

Key Points

10 points
  • 1.

    Formed when no single party wins a majority of seats in the legislature.

  • 2.

    Involves negotiation and compromise among different parties.

  • 3.

    Requires a common minimum program (CMP) to guide policy decisions.

  • 4.

    Susceptible to instability due to conflicting interests and ideologies.

  • 5.

    Power-sharing arrangements are crucial for maintaining coalition stability.

  • 6.

    Often leads to increased representation of diverse interests and perspectives.

  • 7.

    Can result in policy paralysis if parties are unable to reach consensus.

  • 8.

    The role of the Prime Minister/Chief Minister becomes critical in managing the coalition.

  • 9.

    Support of smaller parties can be disproportionately influential.

  • 10.

    Coalition dharma (principles of coalition governance) is often emphasized.

Recent Developments

5 developments

The NDA (National Democratic Alliance) and UPA (United Progressive Alliance) are examples of long-standing coalition governments at the national level.

Regional parties play a significant role in coalition politics.

Post-poll alliances are common in forming coalition governments.

The stability of coalition governments depends on the strength of the alliance and the leadership.

Current political landscape sees a mix of pre-poll and post-poll alliances.

This Concept in News

3 topics

Netherlands Swears In Youngest, Openly Gay PM, Rob Jetten

24 Feb 2026

The news of Rob Jetten's appointment as Prime Minister underscores the practical application of coalition governments in parliamentary democracies. It showcases how diverse political parties, even with differing ideologies, can come together to govern when no single party holds a majority. This news highlights the inherent need for compromise and negotiation in such systems. The Dutch example, with its minority coalition, exemplifies the challenges of maintaining stability and passing legislation, as every major reform requires support from opposition parties. This situation emphasizes the importance of understanding coalition dynamics for analyzing political outcomes and policy decisions. For UPSC aspirants, this news serves as a reminder to study the complexities of coalition politics, including the factors that contribute to their formation, stability, and effectiveness, as well as the potential pitfalls of ideological clashes and policy compromises. Understanding these aspects is crucial for answering questions related to governance, political systems, and international relations.

Amit Shah advocates for continued NDA governance in Puducherry

15 Feb 2026

This news demonstrates how coalition governments operate at both the national and state levels. It highlights the need for parties to work together, even with differing ideologies, to achieve political stability and development. The news applies the concept of coalition government by showing how the NDA, an alliance of multiple parties, seeks to maintain power in Puducherry. It reveals the ongoing importance of alliances in Indian politics, especially in states where no single party can secure a majority. The implications of this news are that coalition governments will likely remain a significant feature of Indian politics, requiring parties to negotiate and compromise. Understanding the concept of coalition government is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides context for the political dynamics at play. It allows us to understand why parties form alliances, what challenges they face, and what impact these alliances have on governance and development. Without this understanding, the news would simply be a report of political statements, lacking the deeper meaning and implications.

Congress's solo Bengal poll decision won't affect Left Front: CPI(M)

7 Feb 2026

The news highlights the pre-election maneuvering that often precedes coalition formation. The Congress's decision demonstrates that parties may prioritize their own interests over broader alliance goals, especially when they perceive an opportunity to gain ground independently. This challenges the notion that alliances are always driven by shared ideology or a common enemy. The news reveals that even seemingly stable seat-sharing arrangements can be disrupted by shifting political calculations. This has implications for the future of coalition politics in West Bengal and potentially other states. Understanding the concept of coalition government is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for understanding the motivations and strategies of the different political actors involved. It also helps to assess the potential impact of this decision on the upcoming elections and the future political landscape of the state. This news emphasizes that coalition formation is a dynamic and often unpredictable process.

Source Topic

Netherlands Swears In Youngest, Openly Gay PM, Rob Jetten

International Relations

UPSC Relevance

Important for UPSC GS Paper 2 (Governance, Constitution, Polity, Social Justice & International relations). Understanding coalition dynamics is crucial for analyzing Indian politics and governance.

This Concept in News

3 news topics

3

Netherlands Swears In Youngest, Openly Gay PM, Rob Jetten

24 February 2026

The news of Rob Jetten's appointment as Prime Minister underscores the practical application of coalition governments in parliamentary democracies. It showcases how diverse political parties, even with differing ideologies, can come together to govern when no single party holds a majority. This news highlights the inherent need for compromise and negotiation in such systems. The Dutch example, with its minority coalition, exemplifies the challenges of maintaining stability and passing legislation, as every major reform requires support from opposition parties. This situation emphasizes the importance of understanding coalition dynamics for analyzing political outcomes and policy decisions. For UPSC aspirants, this news serves as a reminder to study the complexities of coalition politics, including the factors that contribute to their formation, stability, and effectiveness, as well as the potential pitfalls of ideological clashes and policy compromises. Understanding these aspects is crucial for answering questions related to governance, political systems, and international relations.

Amit Shah advocates for continued NDA governance in Puducherry

15 February 2026

This news demonstrates how coalition governments operate at both the national and state levels. It highlights the need for parties to work together, even with differing ideologies, to achieve political stability and development. The news applies the concept of coalition government by showing how the NDA, an alliance of multiple parties, seeks to maintain power in Puducherry. It reveals the ongoing importance of alliances in Indian politics, especially in states where no single party can secure a majority. The implications of this news are that coalition governments will likely remain a significant feature of Indian politics, requiring parties to negotiate and compromise. Understanding the concept of coalition government is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides context for the political dynamics at play. It allows us to understand why parties form alliances, what challenges they face, and what impact these alliances have on governance and development. Without this understanding, the news would simply be a report of political statements, lacking the deeper meaning and implications.

Congress's solo Bengal poll decision won't affect Left Front: CPI(M)

7 February 2026

The news highlights the pre-election maneuvering that often precedes coalition formation. The Congress's decision demonstrates that parties may prioritize their own interests over broader alliance goals, especially when they perceive an opportunity to gain ground independently. This challenges the notion that alliances are always driven by shared ideology or a common enemy. The news reveals that even seemingly stable seat-sharing arrangements can be disrupted by shifting political calculations. This has implications for the future of coalition politics in West Bengal and potentially other states. Understanding the concept of coalition government is crucial for analyzing this news because it provides a framework for understanding the motivations and strategies of the different political actors involved. It also helps to assess the potential impact of this decision on the upcoming elections and the future political landscape of the state. This news emphasizes that coalition formation is a dynamic and often unpredictable process.