National political parties in India in 2023, by age
As of July 2023, India has six national political parties. The oldest political party in post-independent India is the Indian National Congress (INC). Founded in 1885, the party is 138 years old. The criteria for defining national and state-level political parties is set by the Election Commission of India. In addition to other criteria, a party must be recognized in at least four states to become a national party. Therfeore, after parliamentary elections, political parties may gain a national status or lose it. Aam Admi Party (AAP) is the latest addition to the list of national parties.