What is a coalition government in Class 9 civics?

A coalition government is a type of government formed when two or more political parties come together to gain a majority and run the government.

Definition

When no single party gets a clear majority in elections, multiple parties join together (form a coalition) to form the government.

Key Features

• Formed by multiple political parties
• Based on shared power and agreement
• Requires coordination and compromise
• Common in democracies

Example

In India, coalition governments have been formed at the central level, such as:

• United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
• National Democratic Alliance (NDA)

Why coalition government is formed

• No party gets enough seats alone
• To ensure stable governance
• To represent diverse interests

Advantages

• Represents different groups and regions
• Encourages cooperation among parties

Disadvantages

• Can be unstable if parties disagree
• Decision-making may be slow

Summary

A coalition government is formed when multiple parties work together to form a majority and govern the country.