CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus | Chapters, Marks & Exam Pattern 2026

CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 2025–26 (Code 028) – Complete Guide for 2026 Board Exam

CBSE Class 12 Political Science is one of the most important subjects for Arts students. It helps students understand world politics, Indian democracy, international relations, and constitutional developments.

The CBSE Class 12 Political Science syllabus 2025–26 is divided into two parts:

• Part A – Contemporary World Politics (40 marks)

• Part B – Politics in India Since Independence (40 marks)

• Project Work – 20 marks

This article explains the complete unit-wise syllabus, marks distribution, important topics, exam pattern, and preparation tips in a simple and student-friendly way.

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CBSE Class 12 Political Science Exam Pattern 2026 (Quick Overview)

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Part A: Contemporary World Politics (40 Marks)

This section focuses on global politics after World War II, Cold War, international organisations, security, environment, and India’s foreign relations.

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1. The Cold War Era

Topics covered:

• Origin of Cold War

• Bipolar world (USA vs USSR)

• Arms race and Cuban Missile Crisis

• Détente

• End of Cold War

• Disintegration of the Soviet Union

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2. The End of Bipolarity

Key areas:

• Soviet political and economic system

• Gorbachev’s reforms

• Shock therapy

• Consequences for Russia and Eastern Europe

• New countries after USSR breakup

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3. US Hegemony in World Politics

Important topics:

• Operation Desert Storm

• Unilateral actions of the USA

• 9/11 attacks

• War on Terror

• Iraq invasion

• India–USA relations

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4. Alternative Centres of Power

Includes:

• Rise of China

• ASEAN

• European Union

• India–China relations

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5. Contemporary South Asia

Focus areas:

• Democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka

• India–Pakistan conflicts (Kashmir, Kargil)

• SAARC

• India’s regional role

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6. International Organisations

Topics:

• United Nations structure and functions

• UN reforms

• IMF, World Bank, WTO

• India’s role globally

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7. Security in the Contemporary World

Covers:

• Traditional security threats (war)

• Non-traditional threats (terrorism, cyber threats)

• India’s security challenges and strategy

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8. Environment and Natural Resources

Includes:

• Global commons

• Environmental movements

• Climate issues

• India’s environmental policies

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Part B: Politics in India Since Independence (40 Marks)

This section explains the political development of India after 1947.

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1. Challenges of Nation Building

• Partition consequences

• Integration of princely states

• Reorganisation of states

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2. Era of One-Party Dominance

• Congress dominance (1952–1967)

• Opposition parties

• Regional politics

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3. Politics of Planned Development

• Five Year Plans

• Mixed economy

• Green Revolution

• Land reforms

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4. India’s External Relations

• Panchsheel

• Non-Aligned Movement (NAM)

• India–China war (1962)

• India–Pakistan wars

• Nuclear policy

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5. Challenges to and Restoration of Congress System

• Congress split (1969)

• 1971 elections

• Railway strike

• Growth of opposition

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6. Crisis of Democratic Order

• Emergency (1975–77)

• JP Movement

• 1977 general elections

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7. Regional Aspirations

• Punjab crisis

• Kashmir issue

• North-East movements

• Rise of regional parties

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8. Recent Developments in Indian Politics

• Coalition governments (after 1989)

• Economic reforms (1991)

• New social movements

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Project Work (20 Marks)

Students must complete one project from any topic in Part A or Part B.

Common project themes:

• Impact of Cold War

• Emergency in India

• Regional movements

• India’s foreign policy

• United Nations role

Marks are given for:

• Research

• Content accuracy

• Presentation

• Viva

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Unit-Wise Marks Distribution Table

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High-Weightage Topics for Board Exam 2026

• Cold War

• Emergency (1975–77)

• Regional aspirations

• Coalition politics

• United Nations

• India–USA relations

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Smart Preparation Tips for Political Science

• Prepare short notes for each chapter

• Practice case study questions

• Revise current affairs linked to topics

• Learn keywords like bipolarity, hegemony, coalition, federalism

• Practice answer writing in points

• Revise important timelines

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Why Political Science is a High-Scoring Subject

• Concept-based questions

• Repeated themes every year

• Easy internal choices

• No calculations

• Logical answers score well

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Click Here to Know More about CBSE Class 12 History Syllabus (Code 027) | Chapters, Marks & Exam Pattern: https://dekhocampus.com/news/cbse-class-12-history-syllabus