Updated CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus for 2025-26 – Get the latest chapter-wise syllabus, marking scheme, and study tips. Download the official PDF at the end!
Overview of CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus 2025-26
The Class 11 CBSE syllabus for Political Science plays a crucial role in board exams and competitive exams like CUET. This year, CBSE has introduced competency-based questions and a revised weightage system to encourage conceptual learning over rote memorization.
| Board | CBSE |
| Class | 11 |
| Session | 2025-26 |
| Subject | Political Science |
| Content-Type | Syllabus/Curriculum |
| Official Website | https://cbseacademic.nic.in |
Here’s a properly formatted and easy-to-read presentation of the Class XI Political Science Course Structure (2025-26) based on the details provided:
COURSE STRUCTURE: CLASS XI POLITICAL SCIENCE (2025-26)
- Theory: 80 Marks
- Duration: Not specified (assumed 3 hours as standard)
- Total: 80 Marks (Project work not mentioned in structure but assumed as per CBSE norms)
Mark Distribution by Chapter
| Part | Chapter No. | Chapter Name | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part A: Indian Constitution at Work | |||
| 1 | Constitution: Why and How? | 8 (combined with Ch. 2) | |
| 2 | Rights in the Indian Constitution | ||
| 3 | Election and Representation | 6 | |
| 4 | Executive | 12 (combined with Ch. 5 & 6) | |
| 5 | Legislature | ||
| 6 | Judiciary | ||
| 7 | Federalism | 6 | |
| 8 | Local Governments | 4 | |
| 9 | Constitution as a Living Document | 4 (combined with Ch. 10) | |
| 10 | The Philosophy of the Constitution | ||
| Marks Allotted to Part A | 40 | ||
| Part B: Political Theory | |||
| 1 | Political Theory: An Introduction | 4 | |
| 2 | Freedom | 12 (combined with Ch. 3) | |
| 3 | Equality | ||
| 4 | Social Justice | 6 | |
| 5 | Rights | 4 | |
| 6 | Citizenship | 8 (combined with Ch. 7) | |
| 7 | Nationalism | ||
| 8 | Secularism | 6 | |
| Marks Allotted to Part B | 40 | ||
| Total | 80 |
Course Content
Part A: Indian Constitution at Work (40 Marks)
1. Constitution: Why and How?
- Why a Constitution?: Coordination, Decision-making powers, Government limitations, Societal aspirations, Identity.
- Authority: Mode of promulgation, Substantive provisions, Balanced institutional design.
- Making of Indian Constitution: Constituent Assembly composition, Procedures, Nationalist movement inheritance, Institutional arrangements.
- Provisions from Other Constitutions.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Appreciate the need for a Constitution.
- Understand historical drafting processes.
- Evaluate power distribution and real-life functioning.
2. Rights in the Indian Constitution
- Importance of Rights: Bill of Rights.
- Fundamental Rights: Equality, Freedom, Against Exploitation, Freedom of Religion, Cultural/Educational, Constitutional Remedies.
- Directive Principles: Content and purpose.
- Relationship: Fundamental Rights vs. Directive Principles.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Analyse real-life constitutional functioning.
- Respect rights, identify violations, justify restrictions.
- Advocate for rights using freedom of expression.
3. Election and Representation
- Elections and democracy, Election system (FPTP vs. Proportional Representation), Why FPTP?, Reservation, Free/Fair Elections (Franchise, Election Commission), Electoral Reforms.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Identify election types/methods.
- Critically assess stakeholders’ roles in fair elections.
- Compare global election systems.
4. Executive
- Definition, Types, Parliamentary Executive (President’s powers, discretion), PM and Council of Ministers, Permanent Executive (Bureaucracy).
- Learning Outcomes:
- Recognise executive meaning.
- Compare Parliamentary vs. Presidential systems.
- Analyse composition and administrative significance.
5. Legislature
- Need for Parliament, Two Houses (Rajya Sabha, Lok Sabha), Powers, Law-making, Executive control, Committees, Self-regulation.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Describe law-making process.
- Differentiate Lok Sabha/Rajya Sabha powers.
- Examine parliamentary control and committee roles.
6. Judiciary
- Need for independence (Appointment, Removal), Structure, Jurisdiction (Original, Writ, Appellate, Advisory), Judicial Activism, Judiciary vs. Rights/Parliament.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Identify independence aspects.
- Analyse judicial proactivity and conflicts with Parliament.
7. Federalism
- Definition, Indian Federalism (Division of Powers), Strong Centre, Conflicts (Centre-State, Autonomy, Governor’s Role, New States, Interstate), Special Provisions (J&K).
- Learning Outcomes:
- Explain federal features.
- Identify government levels and subjects.
- Discuss provisions for a strong Centre.
8. Local Governments
- Need, Growth, 73rd/74th Amendments (Structure, Elections, Reservations, Subjects, Commissions), Implementation.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Understand Panchayati Raj significance.
- Justify amendments and decentralisation.
9. Constitution as a Living Document
- Static or dynamic?, Amendment process, Frequency, Content (Interpretations, Consensus, Controversies), Basic Structure, Judiciary/Leadership contributions.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Analyse constitutional functioning.
- Appreciate its “living” nature.
10. The Philosophy of the Constitution
- Philosophy meaning, Democratic transformation, Constituent Assembly relevance, Political philosophy (Freedom, Justice, Diversity, Secularism, Franchise, Federalism, Identity), Achievements, Criticisms.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Appreciate philosophical vision.
- Recognise core features and evaluate strengths/limitations.
Part B: Political Theory (40 Marks)
1. Political Theory: An Introduction
- Politics, Study of political theory, Practice, Importance.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Define politics and principles.
- Explain political theories and thinkers’ contributions.
2. Freedom
- Ideal, Constraints, Harm Principle, Negative/Positive Liberty.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Appreciate freedom.
- Evaluate liberty dimensions and limitations (e.g., J.S. Mill’s Harm Principle).
3. Equality
- Importance, Opportunities, Natural/Social Inequalities, Dimensions, Ideologies (Feminism, Socialism), Promotion.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Understand equality ideals.
- Assess perceptions and solutions for inequality.
4. Social Justice
- Justice (Equal Treatment, Proportionate, Special Needs), Distribution, Rawls’ Theory, Pursuit, Markets vs. State.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Classify justice dimensions.
- Appreciate government measures and Rawls’ veil of ignorance.
5. Rights
- Definition, Sources, Legal Rights, Types, Responsibilities.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Define and justify rights’ importance.
- Describe types and legal sanction needs.
6. Citizenship
- Full/Equal Membership, Rights, Nation, Universal/Global Citizenship.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Explain citizenship.
- Discuss solutions for citizenship issues and government links.
7. Nationalism
- Introduction, Nations/Nationalism (Beliefs, Identity), Self-determination, Pluralism.
- Learning Outcomes:
- Understand nation/nationalism.
- Assess strengths, limitations, and inclusivity.
8. Secularism
- Definition, Inter/Intra-religious Domination, Secular State (Western vs. Indian Models), Criticisms (Western Import, Minoritism, Interventionist, Vote Bank).
- Learning Outcomes:
- Define secularism.
- Compare models and appraise Indian secularism.
Prescribed Textbooks
- Indian Constitution at Work, Class XI, NCERT.
- Political Theory, Class XI, NCERT.
- Added Reference Material (in Annexure).
Note: Available in Hindi and Urdu versions.
Download CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus 2025-26 PDF
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