General elections were held in India on 16, 22 and 28 February 1998 to elect the members of the twelfth Lok Sabha. The elections were held three years ahead of schedule after the government led by Inder Kumar Gujral collapsed when the Indian National Congress (INC) withdrew its support in November 1997.

The 12th Lok Sabha, was constituted after the 1998 Indian general election held during February–March 1998. This was the second consecutive Lok Sabha, like the 11th Lok Sabha elections that did not provide the country with a stable government. Atal Bihari Vajpayee became the 10th Prime Minister of India but the government lasted for only about thirteen months due to no clear mandate. Also, the party was not able to get support from other parties, after the withdrawal of support by AIADMK. After his resignation, then President K. R. Narayanan asked Sonia Gandhi, the leader of the opposition in the Lok Sabha to form the government; however, Gandhi responded that the UPA would not be able to form a government at the center, following which President Narayanan dissolved the House. The next General elections of 1999 for 13th Lok Sabha provided India a stable government that lasted for full five years. Nine sitting members from Rajya Sabha, the Upper House of Indian Parliament, were elected to 12th Lok Sabha after the 1998 Indian general election.