The CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus has been released on the official website of CBSE. The syllabus of Political Science Class 12 CBSE 2025-26 helps students to have an understanding of both international and Indian political systems. The syllabus has two parts: Part A – Contemporary World Politics and Part B – Politics in India Since Independence.
- Both parts carry 40 marks each, so the theory paper is worth 80 marks in total.
- Project work adds another 20 marks, which includes a project file or model and a viva.
- For 2025-26, around 20% of the syllabus has been reduced, including two chapters from Part A and some topics from Part B.
- Students need at least 33% to pass the exam.
- Cartoon-based questions are still included because they check how well students understand and think about the topics.
- The chapter “Recent Developments in Indian Politics” has the highest marks, so it’s a key area to prepare well.
You can check all the details and download the CBSE Class 12 Political Science syllabus 2025-26 from below.
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Key Summary
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In this article, we discussed the CBSE Class 12 Political Science syllabus 2025-26, including the unit-wise syllabus, practical syllabus, weightage, sample paper, books, previous years' papers, and deleted topics.
- The syllabus is divided into two major parts: Part A-Contemporary World Politics, and Part B-Politics in India Since Independence.
- About 20% of the syllabus has been removed.
- The updated syllabus follows national education reforms and focuses on developing students’ analytical skills, critical thinking, and understanding of politics in India and the world.
- This structure provides an easy and clear way to learn political theories, understand current events, and see how politics works in real life
- What is CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 2026?
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- Exam Structure of CBSE Class 12 Political Science
- CBSE Class 12 Political Science Exam Pattern 2026
- CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus Chapter-Wise Weightage
- CBSE Class 12 Political Science Project Guidelines
- Marking Scheme for Class 12 Political Science Project Work
- CBSE Class 12 Political Science Deleted Syllabus 2025-26
- CBSE Class 12 Political Science PYQs
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- CBSE Class 12 Political Science Sample Question Paper 2025-26
- CBSE Class 12 Political Science Sample Question Paper 2026
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What is CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 2026?
The CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus is divided into 2 parts:
- Part A: Contemporary World Politics (40 marks)
- Part B: Politics in India since Independence (40 marks)
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Part A: Contemporary World Politics
This section covers key political developments, power shifts, and global issues shaping the world today. It helps in understanding how countries interact and the challenges they face.
| Chapter No. | Chapter Name | Important Topics |
|---|---|---|
| | The End of Bipolarity |
|
| | Contemporary Centers of Power | |
| | Contemporary South Asia |
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| | International Organizations | |
| | Security in the Contemporary World |
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| | Environment and Natural Resources |
|
| | Globalization |
|
Part B: Politics in India since Independence
This section focuses on India's political journey after 1947, including major events, movements, and changes in governance and policies.
| Chapter No. | Chapter Name | Important Topics |
|---|---|---|
| | Challenges of Nation Building |
|
| | Era of One-Party Dominance |
|
| | Politics of Planned Development |
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| | India’s External Relations |
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| | Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System |
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| | The Crisis of Democratic Order |
|
| | Regional Aspirations |
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| | Recent Developments in Indian Politics |
|
Recommended Books for CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus
For the CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus, NCERT books are highly recommended since they cover the syllabus in detail, and many questions are based on them. To strengthen your preparation, you can also refer to the following books:
| Book Name | Author/ Publisher |
|---|---|
| Contemporary World Politics, Class XII | NCERT |
| Politics in India since Independence, Class XII | NCERT |
| MBD Super Refresher Political Science For 12th Class | Malhotra Book Depot |
| Political Science (class XII) | Sagar Jaggi |
| Political Science Class 12 CBSE | Istuti Verma |
Exam Structure of CBSE Class 12 Political Science
The exam tests your knowledge of political theories, events, and developments through different types of questions. The table mentioned below shows the distribution of marks and the structure.
| Part of Exam | What It Covers | Marks | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A | Contemporary World Politics | 40 | Theory questions |
| Part B | Politics in India Since Independence | 40 | Theory questions |
| Project Work | Research and Presentation | 20 | Internal assessment |
| Total | 100 | Theory + Project total |
CBSE Class 12 Political Science Exam Pattern 2026
The exam pattern for Class 12 Political Science shows how the questions are organized and what areas are covered. It includes different types of questions that test your knowledge and understanding of the topics. The table below explains the pattern in a simple way.
| Section | Question No. | Type | Marks Each | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1–12 | Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) | 1 | 12 |
| B | 13–18 | Short Answer Questions | 2 | 12 |
| C | 19–23 | Long Answer Type I | 4 | 20 |
| D | 24–26 | Passage/Cartoon/Map-based Questions | 4 | 12 |
| E | 27–30 | Long Answer Type II | 6 | 24 |
| Total Theory Marks | 80 |
CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus Chapter-Wise Weightage
The tables below for Part A and Part B show the marks allotted to each topic. Students are advised to review and study accordingly.
Part A: Contemporary World Politics
| Contents | Marks |
|---|---|
| The End of Bipolarity | 6 |
| Contemporary Centers of Power | 6 |
| Contemporary South Asia | 6 |
| International Organizations | 6 |
| Security in the Contemporary World | 6 |
| Environment and Natural Resources | 6 |
| Globalization | 4 |
| Total | 40 |
Part B: Politics in India Since Independence
| Contents | Marks |
|---|---|
| Challenges of Nation-Building | 6 |
| Era of One-Party Dominance | 4 |
| Politics of Planned Development | 2 |
| India’s External Relations | 6 |
| Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System | 4 |
| The Crisis of Democratic Order | 4 |
| Regional Aspirations | 6 |
| Recent Developments in Indian Politics | 8 |
| Total | 40 |
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CBSE Class 12 Question PaperCBSE Class 12 Political Science Project Guidelines
In CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus, the project is worth 20 marks—10 for the project and 10 for the viva voce. Students can work individually, in pairs, or in groups of 4–5, choosing topics from the syllabus or current issues.
- Evaluation is done by both internal and external examiners for Class 12.
- Projects can be in formats like role plays, presentations, surveys, and more.
- Teachers help students choose topics and provide time for preparation.
- Students can use primary and verified secondary sources like archives, newspapers, and photos.
- In the viva, students present their project file and answer questions based on their work.
Marking Scheme for Class 12 Political Science Project Work
CBSE Class 12 Political Science project work carries 20 marks that can be divided in the following manner:
| S. 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 Deleted Syllabus 2025-26
The CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus has been reduced for 2025-26. The following topics have been deleted from the syllabus:
Contemporary World Politics
| Chapter No. | Chapter Name | Page No. | Deleted Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| | The Cold War Era | 1–16 | Full chapter |
| 3. | US Hegemony in World Politics | 31–50 | Full chapter |
Politics in India Since Independence
| Chapter No. | Chapter Name | Page No. | Deleted Topics |
|---|---|---|---|
| | Era of One-Party Dominance | 41 | Deleted |
| | Politics of Planned Development | 54–63 | Deleted (8 pages + exercise questions) |
| 6. | The Crisis of Democratic Order | 105, 113–117 | Full chapter deleted |
| 7. | Rise of Popular Movements | 128–147 | Full chapter deleted |
| 9. | Recent Developments in Indian Politics | 187–189, 194 | Gujarat Riots & Q1(f) deleted |
CBSE Class 12 Political Science PYQs
Check the CBSE Class 12 Political Science question papers PDF for PYQs of CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus below:
CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus Cartoon/Picture-Based Questions with Answer Key PDF
In the CBSE Class 12 Political Science exam, students are required to interpret and analyze cartoons or pictures as part of the question paper. Being able to understand the message and details in the cartoon is important. Below is a PDF with cartoon and picture-based questions along with their answer key for practice.
| Picture-based questions | Link |
|---|---|
| Set 1 | Click Here |
| Set 2 | Click Here |
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CBSE Class 12 Preparation TipsCBSE Class 12 Political Science Sample Question Paper 2025-26
CBSE has released the CBSE Class 12 Political Science Sample Question Paper 2025-26. Students can download the PDF from the given link below for a better understanding of the CBSE Class 12 Political Science Exam 2026:
Mostly Asked Questions
Ques: How to score good marks in political science class 12 CBSE?
Ans: To score good marks in CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus exam, you should:
- Understand the syllabus
- Read NCERT thoroughly
- Make notes
- Practice previous papers
- Focus on important chapters
- Work on the project and viva
- Practice cartoons
- Revise regularly
Ques: What are the maximum marks for political science class 12?
Ans: The maximum marks for CBSE Class 12 Political Science are 100 marks—80 marks for the theory paper and 20 marks for project work.
Ques: What are the practical marks for political science class 12?
Ans: For CBSE Class 12 Political Science, practical marks are given for project work, which is worth 20 marks. This includes 10 marks for the project file and 10 marks for the viva voce.
Ques: What is bipolarity class 12?
Ans: Bipolarity in Class 12 Political Science is a world system where two major powers or countries dominate global politics and influence. These two superpowers usually compete against each other, forming rival groups and maintaining a balance of power. An example of bipolarity is the Cold War, when the United States and the Soviet Union were the two dominant powers globally.
Ques: How many chapters are in political science class 12 CBSE?
Ans: CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus has a total of 16 chapters.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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