CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus for 2023-24

Political Science Syllabus Class 12 for the Academic Year 2023-2024

Political Science is one of the most opted subjects among students studying Humanities. The various disciplines in CBSE Class 12 Political Science syllabus include Political Theory, Indian Politics, and International Politics.

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus Term (1 & 2) 2023-2024

Class 12 students, who are to appear in their senior secondary board examinations this year, can check out the latest syllabus for Political Science for 2023-2024 below. [Add the PDF of the CBSE Class 12 Political Science syllabus (Term 1 & Term 2) here]

CBSE Class 12 Syllabus for Other Subjects:

The CBSE Class 12 syllabus includes a wide range of subjects such as Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, English, Hindi, Political Science, and more. Each subject has its own unique syllabus, which includes topics, concepts, and theories that students need to learn and understand. The syllabus is designed to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded education that prepares students for higher education and future careers.

CBSE Class 12 Syllabus

  • CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus

Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 

The basic idea behind the CBSE syllabus is to develop an understanding of the various issues in Political Science. Discussing the syllabus will help students understand the course easily. It specifies the grading and time limit for each section as well. It gives the details of how many marks are decided for each unit. So, students can plan accordingly to study the subject areas that are more important.

The CBSE Political Science paper is of 100 marks, where 80 marks are for theory and 20 marks are reserved for project work. Terms 1 and 2 have equal weightage of 40 marks each in the theory paper. Project work is to be done within the stipulated guidelines of CBSE and accounts for 20 marks. This distribution of marks is indicated in the following table:

Term 1 40 marks
Term 2 40 marks
Project work 20 marks
Total 100 marks

Prescribed Books:

The NCERT books suggested by CBSE are as follows:

  1. Contemporary World Politics, Class XII, Published by NCERT
  2. Politics in India since Independence, Class XII, Published by NCERT

The Political Science Class 12 syllabus for CBSE is given below.  

CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Political Science Term 1

Units Contents Weightage (in marks)
Part A: Contemporary World Politics
1 Cold War Era and Non-aligned Movement 6
2 The End of Bipolarity 8
3 United Nations and its Organizations 6
Part B: Politics in India Since Independence
4 Challenges of Nation-Building 8
5 Planning and Development 4
6 India’s Foreign Policy 8
Total 40

CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Political Science Term 2

Units Contents Weightage (in marks)
Part A: Contemporary World Politics
7 New Centres of Power 8
8 South Asia and the Contemporary World 6
9 Globalization 6
Part B: Politics in India Since Independence 
10 Parties and the Party Systems in India 6
11 Democratic Resurgence 6
12 Indian Politics: Trends and Developments 8
Total 40

Project Work for CBSE Class 12 Political Science Term 1

The teacher will assess the progress of the project work in the Term 1 in the following manner:

Month Periodic Work Assessment Rubrics Marks
1-3

July- September

Instructions about Project Guidelines, Background reading Discussions on Theme and Selection of the Final Topic, Initiation/ Synopsis Introduction, Statement of Purpose/Need and objectives of the study, Hypothesis/Research Question, Review of Literature, Presentation of Evidence, Methodology, Questionnaire, Data Collection. 05
4-5 October- November Planning and organisation: forming an action plan, feasibility, or baseline study, Updating/modifying the action plan, Data Collection Significance and relevance of the topic; challenges encountered while conducting the research.

 

05
October- November Midterm Assessment by internal examiner
Total 10

Project Work for CBSE Class 12 Political Science Term 2

The teacher will assess the progress of the project work in the term 2 in the following manner:

Month Periodic Work Assessment Rubrics Marks
6-7 December -January Content/data analysis and interpretation.

Conclusion, Limitations, Suggestions, Bibliography, Annexures, and overall presentation of the project.

Content analysis and its relevance in the current scenario. Conclusion, Limitations, Bibliography, Annexures and Overall Presentation.  05
8 January/ February Final Assessment and VIVA by both Internal and External Examiners

  

External/ Internal Viva based on the project

 

05
Total 10

Viva-Voce:

  • At the end of the stipulated term, each learner will present the research work in a project file to the external and internal examiners.
  • The questions will be asked from the research work or project file of the learner.

Steps involved in the conduct of the project:

  • Choosing a title/topic
  • Collection of the research material
  • Organisation of the material 
  • Presenting the material
  • Analysing the material for conclusion
  • Drawing the relevant conclusion
  • Presentation of the project work

The project work can be in the form of PowerPoint presentation, exhibition, skit, albums, files, song and dance or culture show, storytelling, debate, panel discussion, paper presentation, and so on.

Get the Political Science Class 12 Syllabus on Your Device Now

The CBSE Class 12 Political Science syllabus can easily be downloaded on your devices by clicking here. Download and save the syllabus on your device now for your ease.. 

Different Chapters Included in the Political Science Syllabus for Class 12

Unit Topic Contents
Part A: Contemporary World Politics
2 The End of Bipolarity   Disintegration of Soviet Union, Unipolar World, Middle East Crisis – Afghanistan, Gulf War, Democratic Politics and Democratization – CIS and the 21st Century (Arab Spring).
3 New Centres of Power     Organizations: European Union, ASEAN, SAARC, BRICS. Nations: Russia, China, Israel, India,
4 Contemporary South Asia Conflicts and efforts for Peace Democratization in South Asia: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Maldives.
5 United Nations and its Organizations Principal Organs, Key Agencies: UNESCO, UNICEF, WHO, ILO, Security Council and the Need for its Expansion.
6 Security in Contemporary World Security: Meaning and Type; Terrorism.
7 Environment and Natural Resources Environmental Movements, Global Warming and Climate Change, Conservation of Natural Resources.
8 Globalisation Globalisation: Meaning, Manifestation and Debates.
Part B: Politics in India since Independence
9 Challenges of Nation-Building Nation and Nation Building. Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel and Integration of States. Nehru’s approach to nation-building; Legacy of partition: challenge of ‘refugee’ Resettlement, the Kashmir issue. Political conflicts over language. Linguistic Organisation of States.
10 Planning and Development Changing nature of India’s Economic Development Planning Commission and Five-Year Plans, National Development Council, NITI Aayog.
11 India’s Foreign Policy    Principles of Foreign Policy; India’s Changing Relations with Other Nations: US, Russia, China, Israel; India’s Relations with its Neighbours: Pakistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Myanmar; India’s Nuclear Programme.
12 Parties and the Party System in India One Party Dominance, Bi-Party System, Multi-Party Coalition System.
13

14

Democratic Resurgence

Social and New Social Movements in India

Jaya Prakash Narayan and Total Revolution, Ram Manohar Lohia and Socialism, Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya and Integral Humanism, National Emergency, Democratic Upsurges – Participation of the Adults, Backwards and Youth.

Social vs. New Social Movements, Farmer’s movements, Worker’s Movements,Women’s Movements, Ecological Movements.

15 Regional Aspirations Rise of regional parties. Punjab Crisis. The Kashmir Issue, Movements for Autonomy.
16 Indian Politics: Recent Trends and Development Era of Coalitions, National Front, United Front, United Progressive Alliance (UPA) – I & II, National Democratic Alliance (NDA) I, II, III & IV, Issues of Development and Governance.

Some Benefits of Having the political science class 12 syllabus

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has released the Political Science syllabus Class 12 on its official website. Learners must download the syllabus to augment their chances of scoring higher in the board examinations. As the syllabus is the official guideline of the CBSE board, it is suggested to always follow it strictly while preparing for the boards. Having it on one’s devices makes it handy and provides easy access. The syllabus contains important information such as marks wise distribution of chapters which gives an idea of the importance of each individual chapter. Moreover, the Class 12 CBSE Political Science syllabus contains blueprints for project work, their mode of submission, etc. It also has the term wise demarcation of the chapters which a student will need throughout the year. It is, therefore, advised to have a copy of the syllabus. Access to the syllabus will resolve all the students’ queries regarding chapters of Terms 1 and 2.

To enhance one’s preparation of the subject, CBSE sample papers are a must-have. Students must attempt to solve these papers within the stipulated three hours. CBSE revision notes for quick last-minute revision of the textbooks have been provided which come in handy during the last month of the academic year. Students must also go through the compilation of CBSE past years’ question papers for detailed analysis of the pattern, difficulty level, time management and marks distribution, etc. Additionally, students must extensively revise both CBSE important questions and CBSE extra questions to cover topics that can be asked in exams. Any formulas asked in CBSE questions of at least the past ten years should be practised thoroughly.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

To ace Class 12 Political Science examination, students should go through the prescribed NCERT books, keeping in mind the weightage for each chapter. The CBSE sample papers, extra questions, important questions, and revision notes have also been provided on this website for an added advantage to the students.

 

The project work is implemented for 20 marks: Out of 20 marks,10 marks are to be allotted to vice voce and 10 marks for project work. It pushes students to delve deeper into the subject through theory, skills, and practical knowledge. Project work gives the learner an analysis of the real-world scenarios. Students can prepare the project work on any topic given in the syllabus. 

Steps involved in the conduct of the project:

  • Choose a title/topic 
  • Collection of the research material/data 
  • Organization of material/data
  • Present material/data Analysing the material/data for conclusion 
  • Draw the relevant conclusion 
  • Presentation of the Project Work 

The project work can be in the form of PowerPoint Presentation/Exhibition/Skit /albums/files/song and dance or culture show /story telling/debate/panel discussion, paper presentation and so on. Any of these activities which are suitable to visually impaired/differently abled candidates can be performed as per the choice of the student. 

At the end of the term, learners should present the project file to the external and internal examiners. Questions will be asked from the project file by the examiners.

Political Science has varied prospects after Class 12. Students opting for the UPSC civil services exam give a lot of importance to Political Science and international relations. The career opportunities after studying Political Science are those in public administration, social work, law, journalism, etc. A career in Political Science allows students to initiate change in policy making. Most job profiles in Political Science careers are prestigious, significant, and honourable positions.

Here are a few tips to excel in the CBSE political examination:

  • Keep the syllabus in mind when studying since Political Science can be very vast.
  • Always follow past years’ questions as they are often repeated. They also provide an insight into the question paper pattern and recurring topics. 
  • Make short notes for last minute revision. These notes should contain topics in connection with those asked in the past years’ papers.
  • Sample papers and mock tests give a real time assessment of the exam. Students should practice as many sample papers as they can in a separate room within three hours.
  • Practice answer writing because students often mug up portions of the textbook without learning how to write articulate answers. Students should practice how to compose answers as per the question type and get them reviewed by their teachers.