11 May 2026: CUET 2026 subject-wise question papers available. Download Here
CUET UG 2025 : Political Science Syllabus (Download PDF) ,Important Topics, Best Books and Preparation Tips
.jpg?tr=h-55,w-55,c-force)
Content Strategist|Tech-innovator|National Hackathon Winner | Updated On - Jun 11, 2026
What's New in CUET 2026?
The NTA has released the CUET Political Science Syllabus 2025 in PDF format. The syllabus is divided into two main sections i.e. Pre-Independance Indian Politics and Contemporary World Politics. There are a total of 19 chapters including both books.
Politics in India Since Independence has a major emphasis on India’s post independence dilemmas such as partition,integration of princely states and Nehru’s dream.
Whereas contemporary world politics includes the cold war, the emergence of world powers ,and the activities of international organizations.
- Focus on High weightage topics like Recent developments in Indian politics and challenges to the congress system due to their higher expected question count.
- Pre-Independance Indian Politics contains 10 units and approximately 21 questions are asked from this section.
- Contemporary World Politics contains 9 chapters and approximately 19 questions are asked from this section.
The exam contains 50 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with 5 marks each, making a total of 250 marks. The duration of the exam is 60 minutes. As for the marking scheme, +5 marks will be awarded for each correct answer and 1 mark will be deducted for each wrong answer.
Latest Update
As per the CUET UG 2025 notification, NTA CUET UG application correction window will open on March 24, 2025. You can Check here for More information.
You can also check
CUET 2025 Political Science Weightage
In order to prepare strategically for CUET 2025 Political Science students must focus on high weightage topics like Recent developments in Indian politics and Challenges to the congress system ,because higher number of questions are asked from this section.
- Students must grasp a strong knowledge of fundamental political theories and events.
- Students must keep themselves notified about current political events and developments.
Topic-Wise Weightage:
| Topic | Expected Questions |
|---|---|
| Recent Developments in Indian Politics | 8-9 |
| Challenges to the Congress System | 5 |
| Cold War Era | 3-4 |
| The End of Bipolarity | 2-3 |
| US Hegemony in World Politics | 2-3 |
| Alternative Centers of Power | 2-3 |
| Contemporary South Asia | 3-4 |
| International Organizations | 2-3 |
| Security in the Contemporary World | 2-3 |
| Globalization & Environment and Natural Resources | 6-7 |
CUET Political Science previous year question Paper
| CUET 2024 Political Science Question Paper | Answer Key |
|---|---|
| CUET 2023 Political Science Question Paper | Answer Key |
| CUET 2022 Political Science Question Paper | Answer Key |
What is the weightage of “Politics in India Since Independence’’ section in CUET UG Exam?
50 % of the CUET Political Science questions are likely to be asked from this section, having questions from historical events , policies and social movements. Topics such as India’s External Relations, Recent Developments and Crisis of the democratic order often have a higher frequency of questions in past exams.
| Unit Name | Approximate Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| Challenges of Nation-Building | 8-10% |
| Era of One-Party Dominance | 6-8% |
| Politics of Planned Development | 6-8% |
| India’s External Relations | 8-10% |
| Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System | 7-9% |
| Crisis of the Democratic Order | 7-9% |
| Regional Aspirations and Conflicts | 8-10% |
| Rise of Popular Movements | 6-8% |
| Recent Developments in Indian Politics | 10-12% |
What is the weightage of “Contemporary World Politics’’ section in CUET UG Exam?
Around 40 percent of the questions are expected from this section. Topics such as Cold War, US Dominance and Globalization have a high probability of occurring in exams. Questions related to global organizations and security concerns also holds a significant weightage.
| Unit Name | Approximate Weightage (%) |
|---|---|
| Cold War Era and Its Politics | 10-12% |
| Disintegration of the ‘Second World’ and the Collapse of Bipolarity | 8-10% |
| US Dominance in World Politics | 7-9% |
| Alternative Centers of Economic and Political Power | 8-10% |
| South Asia in the Post-Cold War Era | 6-8% |
| International Organizations in a Unipolar World | 7-9% |
| Security in the Contemporary World | 7-9% |
| Environment and Natural Resources Movements | 6-8% |
| Globalization and Its Critics | 8-10% |
Does Class 12 marks matter in CUET?
No, Class 12th marks do not impact directly on CUET UG admissions. Class 12th marks are necessary for eligibility whereas CUET 2025 score determines admission in the candidate’s desired university. However there are some important points to take into consideration.
- Minimum Eligibility Criteria :- Class 12 marks are not directly used for CUET Ranking but private universities may have their minimum percentage criteria requirement . Top Universities like DU, BHU, JNU require students to pass specific set of subjects for admission
- Admission based on CUET 2025 Scores :- Some universities may use class 12 marks for tie-breaking criteria, but CUET 2025 scores remain primary criteria.
- Exception for Certain Courses :- Some skill based or professional courses like BBA ,BFA and design courses may consider class 12 marks along with CUET Scores.
CUET Political Science Important topics
Candidates must revise Important topics in order to achieve great scores in the exam and focus on the following
- High Weightage Areas: Politics in India Since Independence and Contemporary World Politics together carry about 85-90% of the exam, which indicates how important they are in the examination.
- Time Management: With 60 minutes given for 50 questions, each candidate has only an average of 1.2 minutes per question.
- Negative Marking Impact: The existence of negative marking requires cautiousness before marking the answer. A wrong response can result in a loss of 1 mark, hence the need to be correct.
| Section | Topics |
|---|---|
| Politics in India Since Independence | Challenges of Nation-Building |
| Era of One-Party Dominance | |
| Politics of Planned Development | |
| India’s External Relations | |
| Challenges to the Congress System | |
| Crisis of the Constitutional Order | |
| Recent Developments in Indian Politics | |
| Contemporary World Politics | Cold War Era and Its Impact |
| Disintegration of the Soviet Union | |
| US Hegemony and Global Politics | |
| Alternative Centers of Power | |
| International Organizations and Global Governance | |
| Security Issues in the Contemporary World | |
| Environmental Concerns and Global Politics | |
| Globalization and Its Effects |
Can I select only 3 subjects in CUET?
Yes, CUET allows a candidate to choose a minimum of 3 subjects in CUET and a maximum of 10 subjects including domain-specific subject, language and a general test but sometimes it also depends upon the course and university you are applying in.
- Some universities require the students to take specific subject in terms of being eligible such as if a candidate wants to study B.Com(Hons) at Delhi University then he/she might need to select Accountancy, Business Studies and Mathematics/ Economics in CUET exam
- Some universities give preference to the students who take a general test along with domain subjects
CUET Political Science Preparation Plan
The CUET Political Science Preparation Strategy is designed to help candidates focus on high-weightage topics such as Indian Politics and Contemporary World Politics, which account for 85-90% of the exam. Below is the two month preparation plan
| Week | Focus Areas | Study Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Understanding the syllabus and exam pattern | Go through the CUET syllabus and exam pattern, identify strong and weak areas |
| Political Theory Basics | Study fundamental concepts like liberty, equality, justice, and democracy | |
| Indian Constitution and Governance | Read about the Constitution, fundamental rights, and political structure of India | |
| Week 2 | Indian Political Thought | Study thinkers like Gandhi, Ambedkar, Nehru, and Savarkar |
| Political Ideologies | Cover ideologies like liberalism, socialism, and feminism | |
| Previous Year Papers | Solve 2-3 previous year question papers to understand question patterns | |
| Week 3 | Contemporary World Politics | Study Cold War, US hegemony, and alternative power centers (China, EU, Russia) |
| International Organizations | Focus on the UN, WTO, ASEAN, SAARC, and their roles in global governance | |
| Practice MCQs | Attempt at least 50 MCQs per day from completed topics | |
| Week 4 | Political Theories and Philosophers | Cover Western philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx |
| India’s Foreign Policy | Study India’s relations with neighboring countries and global powers | |
| Weekly Revision | Revise all topics from the first month and take a mock test | |
| Week 5 | Indian Government & Politics | Study political parties, elections, and governance in India |
| Federalism and Policy-Making | Cover power-sharing, center-state relations, and governance challenges | |
| Mock Test | Attempt a full-length mock test and analyze weak areas | |
| Week 6 | Security Issues and Global Politics | Study terrorism, cyber threats, and non-traditional security concerns |
| Environmental Politics and Globalization | Focus on climate change policies, global movements, and India’s stance | |
| Speed and Accuracy Practice | Solve previous year papers with a time limit | |
| Week 7 | Quick Revision of All Topics | Revise key concepts, important events, and critical thinkers |
| Topic-Wise Mock Tests | Take section-wise mock tests and analyze performance | |
| Doubt Solving | Clarify doubts and focus on weak areas | |
| Week 8 | Full-Length Mock Tests | Attempt at least 3 full-length tests under exam conditions |
| Final Revision | Focus on high-weightage topics and memorize key facts | |
| Exam Day Strategy | Plan time management, last-minute revision notes, and relaxation techniques |
Best Books For CUET Political Science
| Material Type | Resource | Key Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Textbooks | NCERT Class 12 Political Science Textbook | Political Theory, Indian Political System, Contemporary World Politics |
| Reference Books | M. Laxmikanth - Indian Polity | Indian Constitution, Indian Governance, Polity in India Since Independence |
| Online Resources | You tube , Zollege | Online video lectures on Political Theories, Global Politics, Indian Politics |
| Mock Tests & Papers | Previous Year Papers | Helps to understand the exam pattern and frequently asked questions |
Is NCERT Books enough for CUET Political Science Preparation?
Yes, NCERT Books are enough for CUET Accountancy Preparation as CUET UG 2025 syllabus is in line with the Class 12 Board exam syllabus, it can be safely assumed that the NCERT books are enough to clear CUET UG 2025 exam.
CUET 2025 Good Score
A Score ranging between 650 and 750 out of 800 is generally considered good score that could ensure candidates admission in Top universities.
- Excellent score : 750 Can be considered as excellent score in CUET Ug 2025 exams and can ensure candidates admission in top universities.
- Average Score: Score Between 400 and 650 are generally considered average
- Low Score: Score below 200 is generally considered as low score.
Is 536 a good score in CUET?
536 can be considered as a good score or average score in CUET depending upon the college and course you are aiming for.
Top Universities (DU, BHU, JNU, JMI, etc.)
- A CUET score of 530 may not be enough for high-demand courses like B.Com (Hons) in top-tier universities.
- However, some affiliated colleges or less competitive programs may accept this score.
- If competition increases, the cutoff may rise above 600, making 530 insufficient for top colleges.
State Universities (IPU, Calcutta University, etc.)
- Moderately competitive universities may accept 530 for general B.Com or BBA programs.
- If the cutoff remains in the 500-550 range, you stand a good chance of admission.
Private & Deemed Universities
- Many private institutions have lower cutoffs, so a 530 score is acceptable for admission.
- Some private universities may also offer scholarships for higher scores (550+).
Reservation & Category Benefits
- SC/ST/OBC/EWS/PwD candidates may get relaxations, allowing admission to better universities with a lower score.
- Check individual university policies for category-wise cutoff relaxation
Can I get Top college After Scoring 200 in CUET 2025?
Admission in Top colleges through CUET PG 2025 depends upon cut-off , exam difficulty level and category wise seat availability. If you have scored 200 marks in CUET UG 2025 exam then you chance for getting admission into top-tier colleges like Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC), Hindu College, Hansraj college , St.Stephen’s college may be less because these colleges usually have high cut-offs usually above 750/800 for top courses like B.Com (Hons.) and Economics Hons.
What can you do?
You can look at universities with lower cut-offs whose cut-off is around 200-400
Consider CUET Counselling :- Some universities might have spot rounds or relaxed Criteria in Later Rounds.
What is the scope of Political Science after giving CUET UG?
| Career Path | Opportunities & Roles |
|---|---|
| Higher Education | BA (Hons) in Political Science, Public Administration, International Relations, Law (LLB) |
| Master’s in Political Science, Public Policy, or International Relations | |
| Preparation for Civil Services (UPSC, State PSC) | |
| Government Jobs | Civil Services (IAS, IFS, IPS) |
| Political Analyst in government think tanks | |
| Policy Researcher in government organizations | |
| Journalism & Media | Political Journalist, News Analyst |
| Content Writer for political and governance topics | |
| Law & Judiciary | LLB leading to a career as a Lawyer, Judge, or Legal Advisor |
| Academia & Research | Political Science Professor, Lecturer |
| Researcher in Political Science, International Relations | |
| Public Policy & NGOs | Policy Analyst in think tanks and research institutions |
| Social Work in NGOs and international organizations like UN, WHO, Amnesty International | |
| Corporate Sector | Public Relations (PR) Executive |
| Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager | |
| Market Research Analyst focusing on political trends | |
| Politics & Governance | Political Advisor, Political Consultant |
| Election Strategist, Legislative Assistant | |
| International Organizations | Careers in the UN, WTO, IMF, World Bank, and embassies |
CUET 2025 Participating colleges for Social Sciences
| University Name | Location | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) | Maharashtra | Deemed University |
| Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Uttar Pradesh | Central University |
| University of Delhi (DU) | Delhi | Central University |
| Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) | Uttar Pradesh | Central University |
| Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University (BBAU) | Uttar Pradesh | Central University |
| Tezpur University | Assam | Central University |
| Mizoram University | Mizoram | Central University |
| Central University of Punjab | Punjab | Central University |
| University of Kashmir | Jammu and Kashmir | State University |
| Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University (GGSIPU) | Delhi | State University |
| Jamia Hamdard | Delhi | Deemed University |
| Graphic Era University | Uttarakhand | Deemed University |
| JAIN (Deemed-to-be University) | Karnataka | Deemed University |
| Avinashilingam Institute for Home Science & Higher Education for Women | Tamil Nadu | Deemed University |
| Amity University | Uttar Pradesh | Private University |
| Manipal University Jaipur | Rajasthan | Private University |
| Chitkara University | Punjab | Private University |
| Galgotias University | Uttar Pradesh | Private University |
| Lovely Professional University (LPU) | Punjab | Private University |
What is the syllabus for CUET 2025 for Political Science?
As discussed earlier CUET PG 2025 political science is divided into two parts
- Politics in India Since Independence
- Contemporary World Politics
| Section | Unit | Topics Covered | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Era of One-Party Dominance | First three general elections, Nature of Congress dominance at national and state levels, Major opposition parties | |
| Nation-Building and Its Problems | Nehru’s approach to nation-building, Legacy of partition and refugee resettlement challenges, The Kashmir issue, Reorganization of states and linguistic conflicts | ||
| Politics of Planned Development | Five-year plans, Expansion of the state sector, Rise of new economic interests | ||
| India’s External Relations | Nehru’s foreign policy, Sino-Indian War of 1962, Indo-Pak Wars of 1965 and 1971, India’s nuclear program, Shifting alliances in world politics | ||
| Challenge to and Restoration of Congress System | Political succession after Nehru, Rise of non-Congressism, Electoral outcomes of 1967, Congress split and reconstitution, 1971 elections and Garibi Hatao politics | ||
| Crisis of the Constitutional Order | Movements in Gujarat and Bihar, Emergency context and dimensions, Resistance to Emergency, 1977 elections and Janata Party formation, Rise of civil liberties organizations | ||
| Regional Aspirations and Conflicts | Rise of regional parties, Punjab crisis and anti-Sikh riots, Challenges in the North-East | ||
| Rise of New Social Movements | Farmers’, women’s, and environmental movements, Mandal Commission report | ||
| Democratic Upsurge and Coalition Politics | Participatory upsurges in the 1990s, Rise of Janata Dal and BJP, Coalition politics | ||
| Recent Issues and Challenges | Globalization and its challenges, Rise of OBCs in North Indian politics, Dalit politics, Communalism and the Ayodhya dispute | ||
| Contemporary World Politics | Cold War Era in World Politics | Emergence of two power blocs after WWII, Arenas of the Cold War, Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) | |
| Disintegration of the Second World | New entities in world politics, Democratic politics and capitalism in post-communist regimes, India’s relations with post-communist countries | ||
| US Dominance in World Politics | Growth of unilateralism, Gulf War, Iraq invasion, Afghanistan invasion, Rise of the UN, India’s position in unipolar world | ||
| Alternative Centers of Economic and Political Power | Rise of China as an economic power, European Union (EU), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), India's changing relations with China | ||
| South Asia in the Post-Cold War Era | Democratization in Pakistan and Nepal, Ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka, Impact of economic globalization, Conflicts and efforts for peace in South Asia, India’s relations with neighbors | ||
| International Organizations in a Unipolar World | Restructuring and the future of the United Nations (UN), India’s position in the UN, New international economic organizations, NGOs and global governance | ||
| Security in the Contemporary World | Traditional concerns: arms race, disarmament, Non-traditional concerns: human security, global poverty, Issues of human rights and migration | ||
| Environment and Natural Resources in Global Politics | Environmental movements and global environmental norms, Conflicts over resources, India's stand on environmental issues | ||
| Globalization and Its Critics | Economic, cultural, and political manifestations, Debates on the nature of consequences, Anti-globalization movements, India as an arena of globalization, Struggle for a fair globalization |
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.
Ask your question
Answered Questions
a
M
Normalised score or normalization of score in CUET refers to a technique to compare applicant scores uniformly across test sessions. This process is necessary to keep CUET(conducted over multiple days and sessions with various sets of questions) fair to all test-takers.
For this purpose, CUET scores are given in percentiles rather than raw scores. A percentile score of 95, for instance, means that 95% of the applicants performed at a level that was lower or equal to that of the candidate.
Also note that CUET UG Retest 2024 was held on July 19, for the candidates who have been affected by the CBT mode issue and lodged a complaint within July 9. You can expect that the final percentiles and results will be normalised to ensure fairness.
...Show More
a
S
Parth, Student at Christ University
Yes, Christ University accepts CUET scores for UG admission into all its campuses in India. The eligibility criteria for CUET UG is that the candidates must pass their 12th in any stream from a recognized board in India or Abroad. The CUET 2024 exam was conducted by NTA from May 15 to May 24 2024, in hybrid mode.
...Show More
a
BP
Priya, student at Fergusson College
No, Fergusson College does not accept CUET scores for admissions. Fergusson College offers various UG, PG, and Doctoral courses in Arts and Science streams like- BA, BSc, BVoc, MA, MSc, and PhD.
The Fergusson College UG admission 2024 was based on merit, and it was completely online. The UG admission 2024 in Fergusson College was based on the academic scores of candidates in class 12th.
Candidates who are willing to take admission must apply online through the official website of Fergusson College. PG admission in Fergusson is based on the results of the entrance test conducted by the college.
Here are the important dates for admission 2024 to various UG courses at Fergusson College-
| Particulars | Important Dates (Admissions Closed) |
|---|---|
| Availability of Online Application Form | May 21, 2024 |
| Last day of Filling Application Form | May 30, 2024 |
| Display of Provisional Merit List | June 1, 2024 |
| Display of Final Merit List | June 4, 2024 |
| Admission dates for Arts subjects | June 7 - June 8, 2024 |
| Admission dates for Science & B.Voc subjects | June 7, 2024 |
*The 2024 UG admissions at Fergusson College have already closed.
The UG admissions 2024 are already closed, but I hope this answer will give you a basic idea of the general UG admission dates and requirements at Fergusson College.
...Show More
a
SS
Dhruv, student at DU
Candidates must check the CUET UG courses list, which is available in PDF form at https://exams.nta.ac.in/CUET-UG/images/public-notice-for-cuet-ug-2024.pdf before applying for this exam. Candidates should also check the CUET eligibility criteria according to each course. After deciding upon their desired course, the candidates can practice for the CUET exam accordingly. The CUET 2024 exam was conducted for various UG courses in Humanities, Science, Engineering, and Commerce.
The CUET 2024 course list is given below:
| Arts | Science & Technology | Commerce | Others |
|---|---|---|---|
| B.A. in Humanities & Social Sciences | BSc in Physics/ Chemistry/ Maths/ Biology | BCom (Honors) | BBA LLB |
| B.A. in Arts (Fine/ Visual/ Performing) | BCA in Computer Science and Technology | BCom (General) | BHM in Hospitality & Travel |
| Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) | BTech CSE/ Mechanical/ Electrical/ Civil | BCom Business Administration. | BCA (IT and Software) |
| BA LLB | BE in ECE/ Electrical/ Mechanical/ Electronics Engineering | BCom Accounting and Taxation/ Statistics/ Management Accounting | BSc in Hospitality & Travel |
| BA in Hospitality & Travel | BCom in International Finance/ Accounting/ Applied Economics/ Banking & Finance | Diploma in Education (DEd) | |
| BA in Animation | BCom Marketing | BDes in Animation | |
| BCom Tourism & Travel Management | BDes in Design | ||
| BSc in Design | |||
| Bachelor of Journalism & Mass Communication (BJMC) | |||
| Bachelor of Journalism (BJ) | |||
| Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) | |||
| BBA/BMS |
...Show More
a
SC
Bhawna, student at University of Delhi
You can check the CUET cutoff on the official website of each participating college. After the declaration of the CUET result (which was declared on 30th June 2024 for this session), the participating colleges also released their respective CUET cutoff lists online.
The cutoffs of the participating colleges are based on the performance of the students and various other factors. So, you must check the cutoff list 2024 of the participating colleges online. After doing so, you will know the colleges to which you can seek admission.
...Show More
Upcoming exams
Netaji Subhas University of Technology - [NSUT]
New Delhi, Delhi NCRDelhi Technological University - [DTU]
New Delhi, Delhi NCRIIT Patna - Indian Institute of Technology - [IITP]
Patna, BiharThapar Institute of Engineering and Technology - [Thapar University]
Patiala, PunjabHarcourt Butler Technological University - [HBTU]
Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
