The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has officially released the Class 12 Political Science syllabus for the academic year 2025–26. This syllabus covers two major parts:
- Part A: Contemporary World Politics
- Part B: Politics in India Since Independence
Students preparing for CBSE Class 12 Political Science must understand the chapter-wise breakdown, specific competencies, and marking weightage. This article provides complete details and a downloadable PDF for the 2025–26 syllabus.
Download CBSE 12th Political Science Syllabus 2025–26 PDF
Students are advised to download the official syllabus PDF to ensure they prepare in alignment with CBSE guidelines. The syllabus will help them plan their preparation with clarity on topics, weightage, and expectations.
Click here to download CBSE 12th Political Science Syllabus 2026 PDF
CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 2025-26: Course Structure
| Part | Unit Title | Chapter No. | Chapter Name | Marks |
| A | Contemporary World Politics | 1 | The End of Bipolarity | 6 |
| 2 | Contemporary Centres of Power | 6 | ||
| 3 | Contemporary South Asia | 6 | ||
| 4 | International Organizations | 6 | ||
| 5 | Security in the Contemporary World | 6 | ||
| 6 | Environment and Natural Resources | 6 | ||
| 7 | Globalisation | 4 | ||
| Total | 40 | |||
| B | Politics in India Since Independence | 1 | Challenges of Nation-Building | 6 |
| 2 | Era of One-Party Dominance | 4 | ||
| 3 | Politics of Planned Development | 2 | ||
| 4 | India’s External Relations | 6 | ||
| 5 | Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System | 4 | ||
| 6 | The Crisis of Democratic Order | 4 | ||
| 7 | Regional Aspirations | 6 | ||
| 8 | Recent Developments in Indian Politics | 8 | ||
| Total | 40 | |||
| Grand Total | 80 |
CBSE Class 12 Political Science Syllabus 2026: Detailed Syllabus
PART A: Contemporary World Politics | |
| Chapter No. and Name | Learning Outcomes with Specific Competencies |
| 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 | Students will be able to: • 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 | Students will be able to: • Compare and contrast the importance of European Union and ASEAN. • Evaluate the extent of rise of Chinese economy and its impact on world politics. • Summarise 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 | Students will be able to: • Identify & locate the seven countries of the South Asian 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 Organisations | Students will be able to:
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| 5. Security in the Contemporary World Topics to be focused: a) Meaning and Type of Security b) Traditional concept of Security c) Non-traditional notions of Security d) New Sources of Threats e) Cooperative Security f) India’s Security strategy | Students will be able to: • Recognise 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 | Students will be able to: • Enlist and explain the facts related to global environmental issues • Recognise and understand the need to conserve critical resources • Demonstrate knowledge and appreciation towards India’s responsibility in protecting environment • Realise 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 globalization d) Resistance to globalisation e) India and resistance to globalisation | Students will be able to: • Appreciate the significance of Globalisation • 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: Politics in India Since Independence | |
| 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 | Students will be able to: • 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 social and ideological coalition, Tolerance and management of Factions c) Emergence of opposition parties | Students will be able to: • 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 | Students will be able to: • Identify the varied option 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 Relations Topics to be focused: 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 | Students will be able to: • Recognise the significance of NAM • Interpret, compare and contrast multilateral 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 | Students will be able to: • 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 e) Legacy | Students will be able to: • 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 | Students will be able to: • 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 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 | Students will be able to: • Understand momentous changes taking place in the nation since 1989 • Trace the rise and growth of BJP • Identify the areas of growing consensus |
Prescribed CBSE 12th Political Science Books
| S.No | Title | Class | Publisher |
| 1 | Contemporary World Politics | XII | NCERT |
| 2 | Politics in India Since Independence | XII | NCERT |
| 3 | Added Reference Material (Annexure) | XII | NCERT |
Note: Books are available in English, Hindi, and Urdu languages.
CBSE Class 12 Political Science 2025-26: Question Paper Design
| S. No. | Competency | Marks | Weightage |
| 1 | Knowledge and Remembering | 22 | 27.5% |
| 2 | Understanding | 24 | 30% |
| 3 | Applying | 22 | 27.5% |
| 4 | Analysis and Evaluation | 12 | 15% |
| Total | 80 | 100% |
Note: 50% of the questions in the 2025–26 board exam will be competency-based.
