CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 2024-25 - CBSE 12th Class Political Science Syllabus Download PDF

Samia Miraj

Updated On: May 21, 2024 02:15 PM

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 2024-25 must be studied in detail to understand the content of the curriculum. Students can download it from the official website of the Central Board of Secondary Education in a PDF format. 
CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 2024-25
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CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Political Science 2024-25 is now available on the official website to be downloaded by the students. Political Science as a subject will deal with the understanding of social structures and methods used to manage the Government. CBSE will use NCERT textbooks to teach the students. There will be two parts to the CBSE Class 12 Syllabus 2025 for Political Science: Contemporary World Politics and Politics in India Since Independence. Students are advised to check the latest CBSE 12th Exam Pattern 2024-25 as well to make their preparation more effective. After completing the political science syllabus students must solve CBSE Class 12 Political Science Previous Year Question Paper and CBSE Class 12 Political Science Sample Paper 2024-25 for better grades.

Based on the CBSE class 12 Political Science 2024-25 syllabus PDF both parts will be 40 marks each. There are 7 chapters in part A and 8 chapters in part B. The chapter with the most weightage in Political Science is the last chapter on Recent Developments In Indian Politics. The chapter with the least weightage is the chapter on the Politics Of Planned Development which is in the second part. Students must give proper time for each subject so that they can get good marks in the board exams. CBSE 12th Board Exam 2025 will start on February 15, 2025. Check the CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Political Science 2024-25 here.

CBSE 12th Syllabus Political Science 2024-25 Download PDF

On the official website, the students will be able to find the latest PDF of the Political Science syllabus. Students can also download the CBSE 12th syllabus for Political Science from the direct PDF link given below:

CBSE 12th Syllabus Political Science PDF

How To Download CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Political Science 2024-25?

The official curriculum for class 12th is now uploaded on the official website of CBSE Academics. The students can download the updated curriculum for Political Science by following the simple procedure given below:

  • Step 1: You will first have to visit the official website of CBSE Academics at cbseacademic.nic.in
  • Step 2: The home page will open on your screen where you will have to click on the option called Curriculum on the menu bar.
  • Step 3: A dropdown menu will appear. You have to now click on the option called Curriculum 2024-25
  • Step 4: A new page will open on your screen where you have to click on the option called Senior Secondary Curriculum (XI-XII)
  • Step 5: A lot of options will open on your screen where you have to click on the option called Academic Electives - (Group A)
  • Step 6: Click on the Political Science option and the PDF of the syllabus will open on your screen.

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 2024-25 Course Structure

There are numerous units and various topics included in the Political Science subject. Students must have the perfect idea regarding the topics included in the syllabus so that they can get good marks. Check the weightage of different topics and units here:

Chapter Names

Topics

Marks

PART A-CONTEMPORARY WORLD POLITICS

The End of Bipolarity


a) The Soviet System

b) Gorbachev and the disintegration

c) Causes and Consequences of disintegration of Soviet Union

d) Shock Therapy and its Consequences

e) New entities in world politics

Russia

Balkan States

Central Asian States

f) India's relations with Russia and other post-communist countries

6

Contemporary Centres of Power

a) European Union

b) Association of Southeast Asian Nations

c) Rise of China as an economic power

d) Japan and South Korea as emerging powers

6

Contemporary South Asia

a) Military and Democracy in Pakistan and Bangladesh

b) Monarchy and Democracy in Nepal

c) Ethnic Conflict and Democracy in Sri Lanka

d) India-Pakistan Conflicts

e) India and its Neighbours

f) Peace and Cooperation

6

International Organisations a) Meaning and importance of International Organisations
b) Evolution of the UN
c) Structure and function of International Organisations
d) Principal Organs of UN
e) Reform of the UN after Cold War
f) Reform of Structures, Processes and Jurisdiction of the UN
g) India and the UN Reformsh) Key Agencies: IMF, World Bank, WTO, ILO, IAEA.i) NGO: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch.
j) Implications and Future of International Organizations
6

Security in the Contemporary World

a) Meaning and Type of Security.

b) Traditional concept of security

c) Non-tradition notions of Security.

d) New Sources of Threats

e) Cooperative Security

f) India’s Security Strategy

6

Environment and Natural Resources

a) Environmental Concerns

b) Global Commons

c) Common but differentiated Responsibilities

d) India’s Stand on Environment Issues

e) Environmental Movements

f) Resource Geopolitics

g) Rights of Indigenous peoples

6

Globalisation

a) Concept of globalization

b) Causes and Consequences of globalization

c) India and globalization

d) Resistance to globalization

e) India and resistance to globalization

4

PART B-POLITICS IN INDIA SINCE INDEPENDENCE

Challenges of Nation-Building

a) Challenges for the new Nation.

Three Challenges.

b) Partition: Displacement and Rehabilitation.

Consequences of Partition.

c) Integration of Princely

States.

The problem Government’s approach

Hyderabad

Manipur

d) Reorganisation of States

6

Era of One-Party Dominance

a) Challenge of building democracy.

b) Congress dominance in the first three general elections.

Nature of Congress dominance

Congress as a social and ideological coalition.

Tolerance and management of Factions

c) Emergence of opposition parties.

4

Politics of Planned Development

a) Political contestation.

Ideas of Development.

Planning

Planning Commission

b) The Early Initiatives

The First Five Year Plan.

Rapid Industrialisation.

2

India’s External Relations

a) International Context

b) The Policy of Non-Alignment.

Nehru’s role

Distance from two camps.

Afro-Asian Unity

c) Peace and conflict with China

The Chinese Invasion1962

War and Peace with

Pakistan

Bangladesh War 1971

d) India’s Nuclear Policy

6

Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System

a) Challenge of Political Succession

From Nehru to Shastri

From Shastri to Indira

Gandhi

b) Fourth General Election 1967

Context of the Election.

Non-Congressism

Electoral Verdict

Coalitions

Defections

c) Split in the Congress

Indira vs the Syndicate

Presidential Election 1969

d) The 1971 Election and Restoration of Congress

The outcome and after

Restoration?

4

The Crisis of Democratic Order

a) Background to Emergency.

Economic Context.

Gujarat and Bihar Movements

Conflict with Judiciary

b) Declaration of Emergency

Crisis and Response

Consequences

c) Lessons of the Emergency.

d)Politics after Emergency.

Lok Sabha Elections 1977

Janata Government

Legacy

4

Regional Aspirations

a) Region and the Nation

Indian Approach

Areas of Tension

Jammu and Kashmir

Roots of the Problem

External and Internal disputes

Politics since 1948

Insurgency and After

2022 and Beyond

b) Punjab

Political Context

Cycle of Violence

Road to Peace

c) The Northeast's Demand for autonomy

Secessionist Movements

Movements against outsiders

Assam and National Integration

6

Recent Developments in Indian Politics

a) Context of 1990s

b) Era of Coalition

Alliance Politics

c) Political rise of the Backward Classes

Mandal Implemented

Political Fallouts

d) Communalism, Secularism and Democracy.

Ayodhya Dispute

Demolition and after

e) Emergence of New Consensus

f) Lok Sabha Elections 2004

g) Growing Consensus

8

Total

-

80

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Unit-Wise Syllabus 2024-25

The detailed course structure along with the learning outcome is mentioned below:

Part A

Chapter Name Learning Outcome

1. The End of Bipolarity

Topics to be focused:

a) The Soviet System

b) Gorbachev and the disintegration

c) Causes and Consequences of disintegration of Soviet Union

d) Shock Therapy and its Consequences

e) New entities in world politics Russia Balkan States Central Asian States

f) India's relations with Russia and other post-communist countries

  • Identify the basic features of the Soviet System.
  • Discuss the background and outcome of disintegration of the Soviet Union.

  • Examine the consequences of unipolar world

  • Assess the features of Shock Therapy

  • Probe into the recent happenings in the Post-Communist Countries.

  • Trace the developments between India & Russia

2. Contemporary Centres of Power

Topics to be focused:

a) European Union

b) Association of Southeast Asian Nations

c) Rise of China as an economic power

d) Japan and South Korea as emerging powers)

  • Compare and contrast the importance of European Union and ASEAN.

  • Evaluate the extent of rise of Chinese economy and its impact on world politics.

  • Summarize India’s relations with China.

3. Contemporary South Asia

Topics to be focused:

a) Military and Democracy in Pakistan and Bangladesh

b) Monarchy and Democracy in Nepal

c) Ethnic Conflict and Democracy in Sri Lanka

d) India-Pakistan Conflicts

e) India and its Neighbours

f) Peace and Cooperation

  • Identify & locate the seven countries of the SouthAsian region.

  • Appreciate the mixed record of democracy in the South Asian region.

  • Examine the role of Political leaders

  • Reflect upon the causes of various conflicts and movements in this region.

  • Justify the creation of SAARC

  • Understand the involvement of US and China in South Asia.

4. International Organizations

Topics to be focused:

a) Meaning and importance of International Organisations

b) Evolution of the UN

c) Structure and function of International Organisations

d) Principal Organs of UN

e) Reform of the UN after Cold War

f) Reform of Structures, Processes and Jurisdiction of the UN

g) India and the UN Reforms h) Key Agencies: IMF, World Bank, WTO, ILO, IAEA.

i) NGO: Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch.

j) Implications and Future of International Organizations

  • Define International Organization

  • Appreciate the role of United Nations and its agencies

  • Reflect on the events taking place in the post-cold war era

  • Understand the need for reforms in the United Nations

5. Security in the Contemporary World

Topics to be focused:

a) Meaning and Type of Security.

b) Traditional concept of security

c) Non-tradition notions of Security.

d) New Sources of Threats

e) Cooperative Security

f) India’s Security strategy

  • Recognize the causes of security threats

  • Enhance analytical skills to provide solutions to security concerns.

  • Develop critical thinking about the role of various stakeholders in ensuring security today.

6. Environment and Natural Resources

Topics to be focused:

a) Environmental Concerns

b) Global Commons

c) Common but differentiated Responsibilities

d) India’s Stand on Environment Issues

e) Environmental Movements

f) Resource Geopolitics

g) Rights of Indigenous peoples

  • Enlist and explain the facts related to global environmental issues

  • Recognize and understand the need to conserve critical resources

  • Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation towards

  • India’s responsibility in protecting environment

  • Realize the need to conserve resources and exhibit responsibility towards prudential use to facilitate sustainable development

  • Know about the nature of concerns of indigenous communities and understand how the governments of different countries respond to their plea

7. Globalisation

Topics to be focused:

a) Concept of globalisation

b) Causes and Consequences of globalisation

c) India and globalisation

d) Resistance to globalisation

e) India and resistance to globalisation

  • Appreciate the significance of Globalization

  • Elucidate the political, economic, and cultural dimensions of Globalisation.

  • Critically evaluate the impact of globalisation on India.

  • Draw attention to resistance movements to Globalisation and envisage its future trends.

Part B

Chapter Name Learning Outcome

1. Challenges of Nation Building

Topics to be focused:

a) Challenges for the new Nation.

Three Challenges.

b) Partition: Displacement and Rehabilitation.

Consequences of Partition.

c) Integration of Princely States.

The problem

Government’s approach

Hyderabad

Manipur

d) Reorganisation of States.

  • Analyse the challenges which Independent India faced.

  • Describe the factors that led to the partition of India.

  • Explain the circumstances under which different princely states signed the Instrument of Accession.

  • Assess how language became the basis of reorganisation of the states.

  • Evaluate the role played by leaders in Nation Building.

2. Era of One Party Dominance

Topics to be focussed:

a) Challenge of building democracy.

b) Congress dominance in the first three general elections.

Nature of Congress dominance

Congress as a social and ideological coalition.

Tolerance and management of Factions

c) Emergence of opposition parties

  • Appreciate the sustenance of democratic politics in the country.

  • Evaluate the electoral politics post-Independence

  • Assess the dominance of the Indian National Congress from 1952 to 1967.

  • Evaluate the role of Opposition parties

3. Politics of Planned Development

Topics to be focussed:

a) Political contestation.

Ideas of Development.

Planning

Planning Commission

b) The Early Initiatives

The First Five Year Plan.

Rapid Industrialisation

  • Identify the varied options considered by the government to balance growth and socio-economic justice.

  • Know the difference between Left and Right Ideology

  • Understand the need for the formation of the Planning Commission.

  • Appreciate the need for strategic long-term development programme and policies

4. India's External Relation

Topics to be focussed:

a) International Context

b) The Policy of Non- Alignment.

Nehru’s role

Distance from two camps.

Afro Asian Unity

c) Peace and conflict with China

The Chinese Invasion 1962

War and Peace with Pakistan

Bangladesh War 1971

d) India’s Nuclear Policy.

  • Recognise the significance of NAM

  • Interpret, compare and contrast multi-lateral aspects of Indo-China relationship

  • Demonstrate knowledge on Indo-Pak wars

  • Appreciate the steps taken by Indian government to develop military capacity

  • Reflect and introspect on the choices that the country must consider for the cause of development and peace building

5. Challenges To and Restoration of the Congress System

Topics to be focused:

a) Challenge of Political Succession

From Nehru to Shastri

From Shastri to Indira Gandhi

b) Fourth General Election 1967

Context of the Election.

Non Congressism

Electoral Verdict

Coalitions

Defections

c) Split in the Congress

Indira vs the Syndicate

Presidential Election 1969

d) The 1971 Election and Restoration of Congress

The outcome and after Restoration?

  • Understand the challenges of political succession after Nehru.

  • Evaluate the opposition unity and the Congress split as a challenge to Congress dominance.

  • Compare and contrast the new Congress and the old Congress.

  • Summarise the initiatives taken by Indira Gandhi to overcome the challenges faced by her

  • Analyse the process of restoration of the Congress system

6. The Crisis of Democratic Order

Topics to be focused:

a) Background to Emergency.

Economic Context.

Gujarat and Bihar Movements

Conflict with Judiciary

b) Declaration of Emergency

Crisis and response Consequences

c) Lessons of the Emergency.

d)Politics after Emergency.

Lok Sabha Elections 1977

Janata Government

Legacy

  • Understand the causes and consequences of Emergency

  • Examine the lessons of Emergency

  • Evaluate the rule of Janata Government

7. Regional Aspirations

Topics to be focused:

a) Region and the Nation Indian Approach

Areas of Tension

Jammu and Kashmir

Roots of the Problem

External and Internal disputes

Politics since 1948

Insurgency and After 2022 and Beyond

b) Punjab

Political Context

Cycle of Violence

Road to Peace

c) The Northeast

Demand for autonomy

Secessionist Movements

Movements against outsiders

Assam and National Integration

  • Discuss the implications of regional demands.

  • Analyse the importance of integrity in India.

  • Appreciate the initiatives taken by the government in dealing with regional aspirations

8. Recent Developments in Indian Politics

Topics to be focused

a) Context of 1990s

b) Era of Coalition Alliance Politics

c) Political rise if the Backward Classes Mandal Implemented Political Fallouts

d) Communalism, Secularism and Democracy.

Ayodhya Dispute Demolition and after

e) Emergence of New Consensus

f) Lok Sabha Elections 2004

g) Growing Consensus

  • Understand momentous changes taking place in the nation since 1989

  • Trace the rise and growth of BJP.

  • Identify the areas of growing consensus

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Internal Assessment 2024-25

Students are required to make a project in Political Science according to the guidelines issued by the Central Board of Secondary Education in Internal Assessment and they will be just based on the following components:

SL.NO.

Components

Marks Allotted

1

Introduction/Overview

2

2

Variety Of Contents

3

3

Presentation

3

4

Conclusion

1

5

Bibliography

1

6

Viva-Voce

10

Total

-

20

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Question Paper Design 2024-25

50% of the questions in class 12th will be competency-based questions in the academic year 2024-25. Students can refer to the detailed information about the Question Paper Design for CBSE class 12 Political Science from the table given below and prepare for the board exams accordingly:

S. No.

Competencies

Marks

Percentage

1

Knowledge and Remembering: Exhibit memory of previously learned material by recalling facts, terms, and basic concepts.

22

27.5%

2

Understanding: Understanding of facts and ideas by organizing, comparing, explaining, describing, and stating main ideas.

24

30%

3

Applying: Solve problems by applying acquired knowledge, and facts to interpret a situation/cartoon/clippings/sources/Map

22

27.5%

4

Analysis and Evaluation: Classify, compare, contrast, or differentiate between pieces of information; organize and/or integrate from a variety of sources; Examine, and synthesize information into parts and identify motives or causes. Make inferences and find evidence to support generalizations.

12

15%

Total

80

100%

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Question Paper Structure 2024-25

The theory paper in Political Science will be conducted for 80 marks. It will consist of MCQs, short answer type questions, long answer type questions, etc. Students can refer to the detailed structure of the question paper from the table given below:

Book

Objective Type/MCQ (1 Mark)

Short Answers Type I (2 Marks)

Short Answers Type II (4 Marks)

Passage/Map/Cartoon Based (4 Marks)

Long Answers (6 Marks)

Total Marks

Book 1 Contemporary World Politics

6

3

3

1 (Passage)

2

40

Book 2 Politics in India Since Independence

6

3

2

2 (Cartoon and Map)

2

40

Project/Practical

-

-

-

-

-

20

Total No. of Marks and Questions

1x12=12

2x6=12

4x5=20

4x3=12

6x4=24

80+20=100


CBSE Class 12 Political Science Deleted Syllabus 2024-25

Students can refer to the information about the deleted CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 2024-25 from the tables given below according to the different parts:

Part A

Chapter

Page No.

Dropped Topics/ Chapters

Chapter 1: The Cold War Era

1-16

Full Chapter

Chapter 3: US Hegemony in World Politics

31-50

Full Chapter

Part B

Chapter 2: Era of One-party Dominance

41

Full Page

Chapter 3: Politics of Planned Development

54-61

Full 8 Pages

62

Content with Visual

63

Exercise Questions 7, 8 and 9

Chapter 6: The Crisis of Democratic Order

105

113–117

Full Chapter

“Controversies regarding Emergency”

Chapter 7: Rise of Popular Movements

128–147

Full Chapter

Chapter 9: Recent Developments in Indian Politics

187-189

“Gujarat Riots”

194

Question 1(f)

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Books 2024-25

There are a lot of side books available from different publishing houses to help the students prepare for the CBSE Class 12 Political Science Exam 2024-25. Check here:

  • Contemporary World Politics Textbook in Political Science for Class 12
  • Political Science CBSE for Class -12
  • Together With Cbse Question Bank Class 12 Political Science 2024-25
  • All In One - Political Science For CBSE Exam Class 12th
  • Arihant CBSE Sample Question Papers Class 12 Political Science Book for 2025
  • Arihant CBSE Chapterwise Solved Papers 2024-2008 Political Science Class 12th
  • CBSE Chapterwise Solved Papers 2023-2014 Political Science Class 12th (2025 Exam)

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Preparation Tips 2024-25

Some specific preparation tips can be followed by the students to get good marks in the CBSE Class 12 Political Science Exam such as:

  • Complete your NCERT before diving onto the side books so that you understand the basic concepts included in the curriculum. Make sure to solve every question included in your NCERT textbooks and then solve the other important questions included in the side books and sample papers.
  • Try to practice writing your answers in pointers rather than writing long paragraphs. If you write your answers in pointers then you are presentation will be tidy which can easily get you some extra marks.
  • Make sure to complete the sample papers available on the official website of the Central Board of Secondary Education. You can also go for the previous year's question papers uploaded by CBSE to check the commonly asked questions.
  • Make notes after the end of every lecture to understand and remember the knowledge shared by your teachers.
  • Practice meditation and yoga to lower your stress levels. Enjoy time in nature and take daily walks to boost your immune system and keep yourself healthy mentally and physically.

CBSE Syllabus for Class 12 Political Science 2024-25 will help the students to prepare for the subject in depth. Check the complete information about the focus topics and much more above. Students appearing for the CBSE Class 12 exam in 2025 must complete the syllabus 2 months before the exam commencement. They must keep these two months for practicing sample papers.

FAQs

How to complete the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science on time?

To complete the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science on time, you must focus on completing the subjects through NCERT first and then solving sample papers available on the official website of CBSE Academics. 

What are the best books to prepare for the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science?

The best books to prepare for the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science are NCERTs. NCERTs are available separately for the two parts of the syllabus. Before hopping on to the side books you must complete your NCERTs.

Where can I download the CBSE 12th syllabus for Political Science?

The CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science is uploaded on the official website of CBSE Academics to be downloaded by the students in a PDF format. You just need to click on the Curriculum option present on the menu bar to download the syllabus.

What is the least important chapter in the CBSE 12th syllabus for Political Science?

The least important chapter in the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science is the one with the least amount of marks allotted. The chapter with the least amount of marks allotted by the authorities is "Politics Of Planned Development" in Part B.

What are the important chapters in the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science?

All the chapters are important in the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science. However, one must prepare well for the chapter with the most weightage and the chapter with the most weightage is Recent Developments in Indian Politics. 

What is the subject with the most weightage in the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science Part A?

All the subjects in part A have an equal weightage of 6 marks each except one.  The subject with less weightage in the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science Part A is Globalisation.

What is the subject with the most weightage in CBSE 12th syllabus for Political Science Part B?

The subject with the most weightage in the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science Part B is Politics Of Planned Development. The marks allotted for this chapter are two marks.

What are the chapters in the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science Part B?

CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science will include chapters like Challenges of Nation-Building, Era of One-Party Dominance, Politics of Planned Development, India’s External Relations, Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System, The Crisis of Democratic Order, Regional Aspirations and Recent Developments in Indian Politics in Part B.

What are the chapters in CBSE 12th syllabus for Political Science Part A?

CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science will include chapters like The End Of Bipolarity, Contemporary Centers Of Power, Contemporary South Asia, International Organisation, Security In The Contemporary World, Environment And National Resources, and Globalization in Part A. 

What is the CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science?

CBSE syllabus for class 12 Political Science will include two parts. The first part deals with contemporary world politics and the second part includes politics in India since independence.

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