CBSE Class XI Political Science
Complete Chapter-wise Syllabus 2025-26 | Subject Code: 028
Course Overview
Theory Paper
80
Marks
Project Work
20
Marks
Duration
3
Hours
Total Parts
2
Parts
Learning Objectives
- Understanding the historical circumstances and processes in which the Constitution was drafted
- Analyzing the working of the three pillars of democracy: Legislature, Executive, and Judiciary
- Recognizing ideas, concepts, and values inherent in political life of a citizen
- Systematic reflection and critical analysis of political phenomena
- Building capacity to understand constitutional institutions and their working
- Developing knowledge about current and past political events
- Enhancing writing, communication, and data analysis skills
- Preparing foundation for serious engagement with the discipline
Part-wise Marks Distribution
| Part | Section Name | Marks | Percentage | Chapters |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Indian Constitution at Work | 40 | 50% | 10 Chapters |
| B | Political Theory | 40 | 50% | 8 Chapters |
| C | Project Work | 20 | 20% | Continuous |
| Total Theory | 80 | 100% | 18 Chapters | |
Note: Both Indian Constitution at Work and Political Theory carry equal weightage (40 marks each)
Part A: Indian Constitution at Work (40 Marks)
EQUAL WEIGHTAGE - 50% of Total Theory Marks
NCERT Textbook: Indian Constitution at Work
Official NCERT textbook covering constitutional principles, institutions, and democratic processes
Chapter 1: Constitution: Why and How? 8 Marks
Why do we need a 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
- Substantive provisions of constitution
- Balanced institutional design
How was the Indian Constitution made?
- Composition of the Constituent Assembly
- Procedures and processes
- Inheritance of the nationalist movement
- Institutional arrangements
- Provisions adapted from different countries
Chapter 2: Rights in the Indian Constitution 6 Marks
The importance of rights
- Bill of Rights concept
- Need for constitutional protection
Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution
- Right to Equality
- Right to Freedom
- Right against Exploitation
- Right to Freedom of Religion
- Cultural and Educational Rights
- Right to Constitutional Remedies
Directive Principles of State Policy
- What do the directive principles contain?
- Relationship between fundamental rights and directive principles
Chapter 3: Election and Representation 6 Marks
Elections and Democracy
- Election system in India
- First Past the Post System
- Proportional Representation
- Why did India adopt the FPTP system?
Free and Fair Elections
- Reservation of constituencies
- Universal franchise and right to contest
- Independent Election Commission
- Electoral Reforms
Chapter 4: Executive 6 Marks
What is an Executive?
- Different types of executives
- Parliamentary executive in India
Power and Position of President
- Discretionary Powers of the President
- Prime Minister and Council of ministers
- Permanent Executive: Bureaucracy
Chapter 5: Legislature 4 Marks
Why do we need a parliament?
- Why do we need two houses of parliament?
- Rajya Sabha structure and functions
- Lok Sabha structure and functions
What does the parliament do?
- Powers of Rajya Sabha and Special Powers
- How does the parliament make laws?
- How does the parliament control the executive?
- Committees of parliament and self-regulation
Chapter 6: Judiciary 4 Marks
Why do we need an independent judiciary?
- Independence of Judiciary
- Appointment of Judges
- Removal of Judges
- Structure of the Judiciary
Jurisdiction of Supreme Court
- Original Jurisdiction
- Writ Jurisdiction
- Appellate Jurisdiction
- Advisory Jurisdiction
- Judicial Activism
- Judiciary and Rights
Chapter 7: Federalism 4 Marks
What is Federalism?
- Federalism in the Indian Constitution
- Division of Powers
- 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)
Chapter 8: Local Governments 4 Marks
Why local governments?
- Growth of Local Government in India
- Local Governments in Independent India
73rd and 74th Amendments
- 73rd Amendment features:
- • Three Tier Structure
- • Elections and Reservations
- • Transfer of Subjects
- • State Election Commissioners
- • State Finance Commission
- 74th Amendment for urban areas
- Implementation of both amendments
Chapter 9: Constitution as a Living Document 4 Marks
Are constitutions static?
- How to amend the constitution?
- Why have there been so many amendments?
- Contents of amendments made so far
Constitutional Evolution
- Differing Interpretations
- Amendments through Political Consensus
- Controversial Amendments
- Basic structure and evolution
- Contribution of the Judiciary
- Maturity of the Political Leadership
Chapter 10: The Philosophy of the Constitution 4 Marks
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?
Political philosophy of our constitution
- Social Justice
- Respect for diversity and minority rights
- Individual freedom
- Secularism
- Universal franchise
- Federalism
- National identity
- Procedural Achievements and Criticisms
Part B: Political Theory (40 Marks)
EQUAL WEIGHTAGE - 50% of Total Theory Marks
NCERT Textbook: Political Theory
Comprehensive coverage of fundamental political concepts, ideas, and theoretical frameworks
Chapter 1: Political Theory: An Introduction 4 Marks
What is politics?
- What do we study in political theory?
- Putting Political theory into practice
- Why should we study political theory?
- Contribution of Political Thinkers
Chapter 2: Freedom 12 Marks
The Ideal of freedom
- The sources of Constraints
- Why do we need constraints?
- The Harm Principle (J.S. Mill)
Negative and Positive liberty
- Dimensions of negative and positive liberty
- Limitations on freedom from social structures
- Liberty vs Freedom concepts
Chapter 3: Equality 6 Marks
Why does equality matter?
- Equality of opportunities
- Natural and Social Inequalities
- Three dimensions of equality
Promoting Equality
- Feminism and Socialism perspectives
- How can we promote equality?
- Solutions to minimize inequality
Chapter 4: Social Justice 4 Marks
What is Justice?
- Equal Treatment for Equals
- Proportionate Justice
- Recognition of Special Needs
- Just distribution principles
John Rawls Theory of Justice
- Pursuing Social Justice
- Free Markets versus State Intervention
- Different dimensions of justice:
- • Legal Justice
- • Political Justice
- • Social Justice
- • Economic Justice
Chapter 5: Rights 8 Marks
What are Rights?
- Where do rights come from?
- Legal rights and the state
- Kinds of rights
- Rights and responsibilities
Human Rights
- Universal and fundamental nature
- UN Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
- Ancient Indian philosophy and human rights
- 30 rights for all people globally
Chapter 6: Citizenship 6 Marks
Introduction to Citizenship
- Full and equal membership
- Equal Rights for citizens
- Citizen and Nation relationship
Global Citizenship
- Universal Citizenship concepts
- Global Citizenship challenges
- Solutions to citizenship issues
- People-government linkages
Chapter 7: Nationalism Variable Marks
Introducing Nationalism
- Nations and Nationalism concepts
- Shared Beliefs and History
- Shared National Identity
National self-determination
- Nationalism and Pluralism
- Strengths and limitations of nationalism
- Collective identities creation
- Democratic and inclusive nations
- Multiculturalism ("Salad Bowl" concept)
Chapter 8: Secularism Variable Marks
What is Secularism?
- Inter-religious Domination
- Intra-religious Domination
- Secular State concept
Models of Secularism
- The western model of secularism
- The Indian model of secularism
- Criticisms of Indian secularism:
- • Western Import and Minoritism
- • Interventionist approach
- • Vote Bank Politics
Project Work (20 Marks)
CONTINUOUS ASSESSMENT - 20% of Total Marks
Project Requirements
Individual/Pair/Group of 4-5 students per project
Format: Films, albums, songs, storytelling, debate, Role Play, Skit, Presentation, Model, Field Survey, Mock Events
Nature: Independent, self-directed piece of study
Project Assessment Criteria
Introduction/Overview
2 Marks
Clear project introduction and objectives
Variety of Contents
3 Marks
Depth and breadth of content covered
Presentation
3 Marks
Organization, clarity, and professional presentation
Conclusion
1 Mark
Clear conclusions and findings
Bibliography
1 Mark
Proper citation and references
Viva-Voce
10 Marks
Oral examination on project understanding
Suggested Project Topics for Class XI
Constitutional Studies
- Making of the Constitution
- Elections in India
- Working of the Indian Judiciary System
- Social Justice: Are ethics followed in Indian Politics
- Human Rights Act and its gratification in India
- Political impact on Indian Legislation
Democratic Processes
- Electoral Reforms in the 21st Century
- Use of EVM and VVPAT systems
- NOTA (None of the Above) impact
- Election expenditure analysis
- Role of Election Commission
- Voter behavior studies
Rights and Justice
- Fundamental Rights implementation
- Directive Principles effectiveness
- Constitutional Remedies
- Judicial Activism vs Judicial Restraint
- Right to Information Act
- Women's rights and gender justice
Federalism and Governance
- Centre-State relations analysis
- Local government effectiveness
- Panchayati Raj system study
- Urban local bodies
- Cooperative vs Competitive Federalism
- Inter-state water disputes
Political Theory Applications
- Freedom vs Security debate
- Equality and social justice
- Secularism in practice
- Nationalism and diversity
- Citizenship laws analysis
- Human rights violations case studies
Project Work Guidelines
- Choose topics based on recent news media, government policies, and current events
- Use primary sources like city archives, newspaper cuttings, photographs
- Follow proper research methodology with credible sources
- Include introduction, analysis, stakeholder effects, advantages/disadvantages
- Present to both internal and external examiners (Class XI - internal only)
- Ensure validity, reliability, and relevance of data used
- Maintain proper citation and bibliography
- Avoid plagiarism and ensure original research work
- Prepare for comprehensive viva-voce examination
- Teacher guidance throughout the project development
Examination Pattern (March 2026)
Question Paper Design
Total Marks: 80 | Duration: 3 Hours
Subject Code: 028
| Competencies | Marks | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Knowledge and Remembering | 22 | 27.5% |
| Understanding | 24 | 30% |
| Applying | 22 | 27.5% |
| Analysis and Evaluation | 12 | 15% |
| Total Theory + Project | 100 | 100% |
Assessment Features
- Equal emphasis on Indian Constitution at Work and Political Theory
- Constitutional analysis and interpretation questions
- Case study analysis of political processes and institutions
- Application of theoretical concepts to real-world scenarios
- Critical evaluation of democratic institutions and processes
- Analysis of rights, justice, and equality in practice
- Understanding of federalism and governance structures
- Integration of political theory with constitutional practice
Key Success Tips
Preparation Strategy
- Master both Indian Constitution at Work and Political Theory equally (40 marks each)
- Focus on understanding concepts rather than rote memorization
- Connect theoretical concepts with real-world political scenarios
- Stay updated with current constitutional and political developments
- Understand the historical context of constitutional making
- Analyze case studies of democratic institutions and processes
- Practice application of fundamental rights and directive principles
- Understand different models of democracy, federalism, and secularism
- Study comparative political systems and governance models
- Complete project work throughout the year with regular teacher guidance
- Read newspapers and political analyses regularly
- Practice previous year question papers and sample papers
Career Connections
Law & Judiciary
- Law (LLB, LLM)
- Judicial Services
- Constitutional Law
- Human Rights Law
- Administrative Law
- Legal Advocacy
- Legal Research
Civil Services & Administration
- Civil Services (IAS, IPS, IFS)
- Public Administration
- Policy Analysis & Planning
- Diplomatic Services
- Administrative Services
- Government Advisory roles
- Electoral Services
Politics & Governance
- Political Science (Honors/General)
- Political Analysis & Research
- Electoral Studies
- Political Consulting
- Legislative Research
- Political Journalism
- Think Tanks & Policy Institutes
International Relations
- International Relations
- Diplomatic Studies
- International Organizations
- Foreign Policy Analysis
- Global Governance Studies
- Peace & Conflict Studies
- International Law
Media & Communication
- Political Journalism
- Political Commentary
- Election Reporting
- Political Broadcasting
- Public Relations
- Political Communication
- Social Media Analysis
Social Work & NGOs
- Human Rights Organizations
- Social Justice Advocacy
- Community Development
- Non-Governmental Organizations
- Social Policy Research
- Development Studies
- Grassroots Politics
Official NCERT Resources
NCERT Textbooks Download
- Indian Constitution at Work (Class XI)
- Published by NCERT
- Available in English, Hindi, and Urdu
- Covers all constitutional concepts and institutions
- Political Theory (Class XI)
- Published by NCERT
- Available in English, Hindi, and Urdu
- Covers fundamental political concepts
Additional Resources
- CBSE Sample Papers 2025-26
- Previous Year Question Papers
- CBSE Marking Schemes
- Supplementary Reading Material
- Additional Reference Material (Annexure)
- Project Work Guidelines
Constitutional Documents
- Constitution of India (Full Text)
- Constitutional Amendments
- Supreme Court Judgments
- Election Commission Reports
- Parliamentary Debates
- Constituent Assembly Debates
Current Affairs Sources
- The Hindu (Editorial Section)
- Indian Express (Political Analysis)
- PIB (Press Information Bureau)
- Lok Sabha TV Debates
- Rajya Sabha TV Discussions
- Parliamentary Proceedings
Study Tools
- Constitutional Timeline Charts
- Concept Maps for Political Theory
- Case Study Analysis Templates
- Project Presentation Formats
- Viva-Voce Question Banks
- Comparative Government Charts
Important Dates
- Constitution Day (26 November)
- Republic Day (26 January)
- Independence Day (15 August)
- Gandhi Jayanti (2 October)
- National Voters' Day (25 January)
- Human Rights Day (10 December)
About This Guide
Document Information
- Based on official CBSE Political Science Syllabus 2025-26
- Subject Code: 028 for Classes XI & XII
- Compiled from official NCERT textbooks and CBSE guidelines
- Includes complete chapter-wise breakdown and marks distribution
- Project work guidelines as per CBSE requirements
- Assessment pattern and examination design details
- Career guidance and higher education pathways
- Prepared by menturox.in for students and educators