CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus - Free PDF Download
CBSE Syllabus 2025-26 Class 11: The CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus for the examination year 2025-26 has been released by the Central Board of Secondary Education, CBSE. The board will hold the final examination at the end of the year following the annual assessment scheme, which has led to the release of the syllabus. The 2025-26 CBSE Class 11 Political Science Board Exam will entirely be based on the most recent syllabus. Therefore, students must thoroughly understand the new CBSE syllabus to prepare for their annual exam properly.
The detailed CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus for 2025-26 is below.
Academic year:
CBSE Class 11 Political Science Revised Syllabus
CBSE Class 11 Political Science and their Unit wise marks distribution
CBSE Class 11 Political Science Course Structure 2025-26 With Marking Scheme
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Syllabus
CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus for Chapter 1: Indian Constitution at Work
CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus for Chapter 1: Indian Constitution at Work
1 Constitution Why and How and Philosophy of the Constitution
- Why Do We Need Constitution?
- Constitution allows coordination and assurance
- Specification of decision making powers
- Limitations on the powers of government
- Aspirations and goals of a society
- Fundamental identity of a people
- The Making of the Constitution
- The Constituent Assembly
- Procedural Achievements
- Philosophy of the Constitution.
- Indian Constitution
- Characteristics of Indian Constitution
Salient features of the Indian Constitution:
- Written and Comprehensive
- A Constitution drawn from several sources
- Federal structure with Unitary spirit
- Partly rigid and Partly flexible
- Fundamental Rights and Duties
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- Parliamentary form of Government
- Single Citizenship
- Bi-cameral legislature
- Universal Adult Franchise
- Single Integrated and Independent Judiciary
- Judicial Review
- Emergency powers
- Special provisions for Schedule castes and Schedule tribes
2 Rights in the Indian Constitution
- Importance of Rights
- Bill of Right
- Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution
- Meaning
- Detailed study of all Fundamental Rights in India
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- What do the Directive Principles contain?
- Fundamental Duties of citizens
- Classification and implementation of Directive Principles
- Relationship Between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
- Difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
- National Human Rights Commission (NHRC)
3 Election and Representation
- Elections and Democracy
- Election System in India
- First Past the Post System (FPTP system)
- Proportional Representation
- Why did India adopt the FPTP system?
- Reservation of Constituencies
- Free and Fair Elections
- Universal franchise and right to contest
- Independent Election Commission
- Electoral Reforms
- Universal Franchise and Right to Contest
- Independent Election Commission
- FPTP and PR System of Election
4 Legislature
- Why Do We Need a Parliament
- Two Houses of Parliament - Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- Unicameral and Bicameral Legislatures
- Functions and Power of the Parliament
- Legislative Functions
- Control Over Executive
- Parliamentary Committees
- Parliament Self Regulation
- What Does Parliament Do
- Legislative Function
- Control of Executive and ensuring its accountability
- Financial Function
- Representation
- Debating Function
- Constituent Function
- Electoral functions
- Judicial functions
- How Does Parliament Make Law?
- Money and Ordinary Bill
- First reading
- Second reading
- Third Reading
- Types of Bill
- Government bill
- Private Member Bill
- Non-Money Bill - Ordinary Bill and Constitution Amendment Bill
- Money Bill
5 Executive
- What is an Executive
- Different Types of Executive - Parliamentary, Semi-presidential and Presidential
- Discretionary Power of the President
- Vice President of India - Election, Power and Functions
- Parliamentary Executive in India
- Collective Responsibility and Role of Prime Minister
- Council of Ministers
- Governor and Chief Minister
- Permanent Executive - Bureaucracy
- Civil Service
- Classification of Civil Service - All India, Central and State Services
6 Judiciary
- Introduction and Composition of Judiciary
- Why Do We Need an Independent Judiciary
- Independence of Judiciary
- Structure of the Judiciary
- Supreme Court
- Judicial Activism
- High Court
- District and lower courts
- Supreme Court of India
- High Court
- Composition
- Qualifications of Judges
- Appointment of Judges
- Conditions of Service
(i) Retirement, Removal and Transfer
(ii) Salaries and Emoluments of Judges
(iii) Restrictions on Practice
(iv) Other Conditions
- District Court
- Subordinate Court
- Structure and Composition
- Jurisdiction of Supreme Court - Composition, Power and Function
- Appointment and Removal of Judges
- Judicial Activism
- Judiciary and Rights
- Judiciary and Parliament
7 Federalism
- What is Federalism
- Federal Setup in the Indian Constitution
- Importance of Federal Setup
- Non-Federal or Unitary Features
- Federalism with a Strong Central Government
- Conflicts in India's Federal System
- Centre-State Relations
- Demands for Autonomy
- Role of Governors and President’s Rule
- Demands for New States
- Interstate Conflicts
- Special Provisions
- Jammu and Kashmir
8 Local Governments
- Why Do We Need Local Governments
- Growth of Local Government in India
- 73rd Amendments
- Three Tier Structure Panchayati Raj
- Reservations
- State Election Commissioners
- State Finance Commission
- 74th Amendments
- Implementation of 73rd and 74th Amendments
- Rural and Urban Local Bodies - Composition Features of 73rd and 74th Amendments
9 Constitution as a Living Document
- Are Constitutions Static
- The Procedure to Amend the Constitution
- Special Majority
- Ratification by States
- Why Have There Been So Many Amendments
- Contents of Amendments made so far
- Differing Interpretations
- Amendments through Political Consensus
- Controversial Amendments
- Basic Structure and Evolution of the Constitution
- Constitution as a Living Document
- Contribution of the Judiciary
- Maturity of the Political Leadership
1 Constitution: Why and How?
- Why Do We Need Constitution?
- Constitution allows coordination and assurance
- Specification of decision making powers
- Limitations on the powers of government
- Aspirations and goals of a society
- Fundamental identity of a people
- The Authority of a Constitution
- Mode of promulgation
- The substantive provisions of a constitution
- Balanced institutional design
- How Was the Indian Constitution Made?
- Composition of the Constituent Assembly
- The Principle of Deliberation
- Procedures
- Inheritance of the nationalist movement
- Institutional arrangements
2 Rights in the Indian Constitution
- Importance of Rights
- Bill of Right
- Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution
- Meaning
- Detailed study of all Fundamental Rights in India
- Right to Equality
- Right to Freedom
- Right to life and personal liberty
- Preventive detention
- Other freedoms
- Rights of accused
- Right Against Exploitation
- Right to Freedom of Religion
- Freedom of faith and worship
- Equality of all religions
- Cultural and Educational Rights
- Right to Constitutional Remedies
- Directive Principles of State Policy
- What do the Directive Principles contain?
- Fundamental Duties of citizens
- Classification and implementation of Directive Principles
- Relationship Between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles
- Difference between Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles of State Policy.
3 Election and Representation
- Elections and Democracy
- Election System in India
- First Past the Post System (FPTP system)
- Proportional Representation
- Why did India adopt the FPTP system?
- Reservation of Constituencies
- Free and Fair Elections
- Universal franchise and right to contest
- Independent Election Commission
- Electoral Reforms
4 Executive
- What is an Executive
- Different Types of Executive - Parliamentary, Semi-presidential and Presidential
- Parliamentary Executive in India
- Power and Position of President
- Discretionary Powers of the President
- President’s role in choosing the Prime Minister
- Vice President of India - Election, Power and Functions
- Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
- Permanent Executive - Bureaucracy
5 Legislature
- Why Do We Need a Parliament
- Two Houses of Parliament - Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
- What Does Parliament Do
- Legislative Function
- Control of Executive and ensuring its accountability
- Financial Function
- Representation
- Debating Function
- Constituent Function
- Electoral functions
- Judicial functions
- Powers of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
- Special Powers of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
- How Does Parliament Make Law?
- Money and Ordinary Bill
- First reading
- Second reading
- Third Reading
- What Do the Committees of Parliament Do?
- How Does the Parliament Regulate Itself?
6 Judiciary
- Why Do We Need an Independent Judiciary
- Independence of Judiciary
- Appointment of Judges
- Removal of Judges
- Structure of the Judiciary
- Supreme Court
- Judicial Activism
- High Court
- District and lower courts
- Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
- Original Jurisdiction
- Writ Jurisdiction
- Appellate Jurisdiction
- Advisory Jurisdiction
- Judicial Activism
- Judiciary and Rights
- Judiciary and Parliament
7 Federalism
- What is Federalism
- Federal Setup in the Indian Constitution
- Importance of Federal Setup
- Non-Federal or Unitary Features
- Federalism with a Strong Central Government
- Conflicts in India's Federal System
- Centre-State Relations
- Demands for Autonomy
- Role of Governors and President’s Rule
- Demands for New States
- Interstate Conflicts
- Special Provisions
- Jammu and Kashmir
8 Local Governments
- Why Do We Need Local Governments
- Growth of Local Government in India
- 73rd and 74th Amendments
- 73rd Amendment
- Three Tier Structure
- Elections
- Reservations
- Transfer of Subjects
- State Election Commissioners
- State Finance Commission
- 74th Amendment
- Implementation of 73rd and 74th Amendments
9 Constitution as a Living Document
- Are Constitutions Static
- The Procedure to Amend the Constitution
- Special Majority
- Ratification by States
- Why Have There Been So Many Amendments
- Contents of Amendments made so far
- Differing Interpretations
- Amendments through Political Consensus
- Controversial Amendments
- Basic Structure and Evolution of the Constitution
- Constitution as a Living Document
- Contribution of the Judiciary
- Maturity of the Political Leadership
10 The Philosophy of the Constitution
- What is Meant by Philosophy of the Constitution?
- Constitution as Means of Democratic Transformation
- Why do we need to go back to the Constituent Assembly?
- What is the Political Philosophy of Our Constitution?
- Individual freedom
- Social Justice
- Respect for diversity and minority rights
- Secularism
- Universal franchise
- Federalism
- National identity
- Procedural Achievements of Constitution
- Criticisms of Constitution
- Limitations of Constitution
CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus for Chapter 2: Political Theory
CBSE Class 11 Political Science Syllabus for Chapter 2: Political Theory
1 Political Theory: an Introduction
- What is Politics?
- What Do We Study in Political Theory?
- Putting Political Theory to Practice
- Why Should We Study Political Theory?
2 Freedom
- The Ideal of Freedom
- What is Freedom?
- The Sources of Constraints
- Why Do We Need Constraints?
- Harm Principle
- Negative and Positive Liberty
- Freedom of Expression
3 Equality
- Why Does Equality Matter?
- What is Equality?
- Equality of Opportunities
- Natural and Social Inequalities
- Three Dimensions of Equality
- Political Equality
- Social Equality
- Economic Equality
- How Can We Promote Equality?
- Establishing Formal Equality
- Equality Through Differential Treatment
- Affirmative Action
4 Social Justice
- What is Justice?
- Equal Treatment for Equals
- Proportionate Justice
- Recognition of Special Needs
- Just Distribution
- John Rawls' Theory of Justice
- Pursuing Social Justice
- Free Markets versus State Intervention
5 Rights
- What Are Rights?
- Where Do Rights Come From?
- Legal Rights and the State
- Kinds of Rights
- Rights and Responsibilities
6 Citizenship
- What is Citizenship?
- Citizen and Nation
- Universal Citizenship
- Global Citizenship
7 Nationalism
- Introducing Nationalism
- Nations and Nationalism
- Shared Beliefs
- History
- Territory
- Shared Political Ideals
- Common Political Identity
- National Self-determination
- Nationalism and Pluralism
8 Secularism
- What is Secularism?
- Inter-religious Domination
- Intra-religious Domination
- What is Secular State
- The Western and the Indian Approaches to Secularism
- Criticisms and Rationale of Indian Secularism
9 Peace
- What is Peace?
- Forms of Structural Violence
- Eliminating Violence
- Eliminating of Violence
- Can Violence Ever Promote Peace
- Peace and the State
- Different Approaches to the Pursuit of Peace
- Contemporary Challenges to Peace
10 Development
- What is Development
- Challenge of Development
- Dominant
- Development Model
- Alternative Conceptions of Development
1 Political Theory: an Introduction
- What is Politics?
- What Do We Study in Political Theory?
- Putting Political Theory to Practice
- Why Should We Study Political Theory?
2 Freedom
- The Ideal of Freedom
- What is Freedom?
- The Sources of Constraints
- Why Do We Need Constraints?
- Harm Principle
- Negative and Positive Liberty
- Freedom of Expression
3 Equality
- Why Does Equality Matter?
- What is Equality?
- Equality of Opportunities
- Natural and Social Inequalities
- Three Dimensions of Equality
- Political Equality
- Social Equality
- Economic Equality
- How Can We Promote Equality?
- Establishing Formal Equality
- Equality Through Differential Treatment
- Affirmative Action
4 Social Justice
- What is Justice?
- Equal Treatment for Equals
- Proportionate Justice
- Recognition of Special Needs
- Just Distribution
- John Rawls' Theory of Justice
- Pursuing Social Justice
- Free Markets versus State Intervention
5 Rights
- What Are Rights?
- Where Do Rights Come From?
- Legal Rights and the State
- Kinds of Rights
- Rights and Responsibilities
6 Citizenship
- Introduction of Citizenship
- Full and Equal Membership
- Equal Rights
- Citizen and Nation
- Universal Citizenship
- Global Citizenship
7 Nationalism
- Introducing Nationalism
- Nations and Nationalism
- Shared Beliefs
- History
- Territory
- Shared Political Ideals
- Common Political Identity
- National Self-determination
- Nationalism and Pluralism
8 Secularism
- What is Secularism?
- Inter-religious Domination
- Intra-religious Domination
- What is Secular State
- The Western Model of Secularism
- The Indian Model of Secularism
- Criticisms of Indian Secularism
- Anti-religious
- Western Import
- Minoritism
- Interventionist
- Vote Bank Politics
- Impossible Project
9 Peace
- Introduction of Peace
- What is Peace?
- Forms of Structural Violence
- Eliminating Violence
- Can Violence Ever Promote Peace
- Peace and the State
- Different Approaches to the Pursuit of Peace
- Contemporary Challenges to Peace
10 Development
- Introduction of Development
- Challenge of Development
- Criticisms of Development Models
- The Social Costs of Development
- Environmental Costs of Development
- Assessing Development
- Alternative Conceptions of Development
- Right Claims
- Democratic Participation
- Development and Life Style
- Conclusion
