When a person actively participates in formation, determination and implementation of public polices and decisions then his/ her activity is known as political participation. Political participation has two forms. 

I. Traditional Political Participation : 

In traditional political participation, such types of activities of citizens and government are included which are being performed since ancient times. State government too participates in it according to its own way.

(a) Citizen Participation : 

Under the traditional political participation, the different activities of citizen participation are following : 

1. To contact with government or public representatives. 

2. To write letters to govt, authorities or editors, conduct signature campaigns, etc. 

3. Participation through pressure groups.

4. Political publicity campaign. 

5. Fighting election for public posts. 

6. Calling back the representative. 

7. To make the proposal for a public welfare work.

(b) State Participation : 

Following are the different activities of state participation that come under traditional political participation. 

1. To hold elections 

2. Public hearing 

3. Forming Advisory councils 

4. Ask for voting regarding an issue of public welfare.

II. Non-Traditional Political Participation : 

This type of political participation is rarely practised by the public. It is also known as denatured form of political participation or offensive form of human chain.

(a) Citizen Participation : 

Citizens of a democratic country do the following actions which come under non-traditional type of political participation : 

1. Protest marches, posters. 

2. Nukkad plays, strikes, dharana, hunger strikes. 

3. Refusal of official prizes, awards, etc. 

4. Civil disobedience. 

5. Political violence.

(b) State Participation : 

The main activities of state participation which are of non-traditional type are following : 

1. Organizing functions on national-festivals. 

2. Republic Day Parade organisation. 

3. Conduct of campaigns like cleanliness, pulse-polio, literacy, plantation etc; 

4. Organising Yoga programmes and holding competitions of essays, quiz, etc.