CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus 2025-26: A Comprehensive Guide
The CBSE Class 11 Political Science syllabus for the academic year 2025-26 provides an in-depth exploration of the political landscape, focusing on key aspects of both Indian and global political systems. It aims to build a strong foundation for students to understand the complexities of governance, law, rights, and international relations, which are essential for academic progression in political science and related fields.
This guide will cover the essential details of the CBSE Class 11 Political Science syllabus, providing insights into the structure, chapters, and key topics. It is designed to help students navigate the syllabus efficiently and prepare for the examinations in a structured manner.
CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus Overview
The syllabus is divided into two main sections:
- Part A: Indian Constitution at Work
- Part B: Political Theory
Both parts are structured to ensure students gain a comprehensive understanding of Indian politics, its constitutional framework, and core political theories.
Part A: Indian Constitution at Work (40 Marks)
This section explores the Indian political system and provides an understanding of the Constitution, the framework of governance, and the rights of citizens. The topics covered include:
- Constitution: Why and How?
- Introduction to the Constitution of India.
- Understanding the significance and evolution of the Constitution.
- Why a Constitution is important for a country.
- Rights in the Indian Constitution
- Detailed study of the Fundamental Rights granted by the Constitution.
- Understanding the role of the Constitution in protecting individual rights.
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- A discussion on the Directive Principles and their importance in guiding state policy.
- The Union and its Territory
- Understanding the structure of the Indian Union.
- Delving into the role and powers of the central government.
- Federalism
- The concept of federalism in the Indian context.
- Distribution of power between the Union and States.
- The Parliament and its Functions
- Study of the composition, powers, and functions of the Indian Parliament.
- The Judiciary and its Role
- Understanding the role of the Judiciary in upholding the rule of law.
- The importance of the Supreme Court in interpreting the Constitution.
- The Executive
- Examining the role of the President, Prime Minister, and Council of Ministers in the Indian political system.
- The Local Government
- Overview of Panchayats and Municipalities.
- The structure and functioning of local governance in India.
- Political Parties and Pressure Groups
- Understanding the role of political parties in the democratic process.
- The impact of pressure groups on the political environment.
Part B: Political Theory (40 Marks)
This part introduces students to foundational political ideas and theories that shape governance and politics globally. Topics include:
- Political Theory: An Introduction
- Overview of political theory and its significance in understanding politics.
- Freedom
- Exploration of the concept of freedom in political philosophy.
- Understanding the boundaries of freedom in society.
- Equality
- Analyzing the concept of equality and its implications in political theory.
- Understanding different types of equality (social, political, economic).
- Justice
- Delving into the concept of justice in political theory.
- Key ideas from philosophers like Rawls and others on justice.
- Rights
- Understanding the concept of rights in political discourse.
- Human rights and their role in modern politics.
- Representation
- Analyzing the concept of representation in democratic systems.
- The role of elections and elected representatives in ensuring democracy.
- Power
- Understanding the concept of power in political theory.
- Key theories and thinkers who shaped the study of power.
- Democracy
- A study of democracy as a form of governance.
- Different types of democracies and their features.
- The State
- Exploring the concept of the state in political philosophy.
- The role of the state in society and its relationship with citizens.
- Political Ideologies
- Introduction to major political ideologies like liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and more.
- Understanding the role of ideologies in shaping political movements and policies.
Marks Distribution in CBSE Class 11 Political Science
The total marks for Political Science in CBSE Class 11 are 80, divided as follows:
- Theory Exam: 80 Marks
- Part A: Indian Constitution at Work – 40 Marks
- Part B: Political Theory – 40 Marks
- Project Work: 20 Marks
- Students are expected to work on a project related to political science topics, which will contribute to the overall score.
CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus: Key Highlights
- The Indian Constitution section provides insights into India’s governance framework and the fundamental rights of its citizens.
- The Political Theory section introduces students to important political concepts such as democracy, justice, freedom, and equality.
- The syllabus is designed to prepare students for higher studies in political science and related fields by offering a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical understanding of political processes.
Tips for Preparing for CBSE Class 11 Political Science
- Understand the Concepts: Political science is theoretical, so it’s essential to understand key concepts rather than just memorizing them.
- Follow the Syllabus: Stick to the prescribed syllabus to avoid wasting time on irrelevant topics.
- Make Notes: Prepare concise notes on important chapters and concepts for quick revision.
- Refer to NCERT Textbooks: NCERT textbooks are the official guide and should be the primary reference for understanding the syllabus.
- Practice Answer Writing: Political science exams often require descriptive answers, so practice writing answers to previous years’ questions.
Conclusion
The CBSE Class 11 Political Science syllabus for 2025-26 is designed to help students understand the political world around them, both in the Indian and global contexts. With a focus on constitutional studies, political theory, and practical governance, the syllabus prepares students for advanced studies and examinations in political science. By following the syllabus diligently, students can build a strong foundation for understanding the key aspects of political systems and governance.