The CUET UG Political Science syllabus for 2026 is structured to help students develop a deep understanding of both Indian and global political processes, preparing them for analytical and conceptual multiple-choice questions in the Common University Entrance Test conducted by the National Testing Agency.
Are you preparing for CUET UG !! Just check the Learn8 App to practice questions and attempt Mock Tests.
CUET UG Political Science syllabus is broadly divided into two major parts: Politics in India Since Independence, which includes topics such as one-party dominance in early elections, nation-building challenges, planned development, India’s external relations, crisis of constitutional order, regional aspirations, coalition politics and recent socio-political developments; and Contemporary World Politics, covering post-Cold War global shifts, new centres of power, South Asian political dynamics, international organisations, security issues, environmental concerns in global politics, and debates on globalisation. This syllabus aligns closely with Class 12 political science themes, helping aspirants build both foundational knowledge and critical understanding for the exam.
Indian Politics
Era of One-Party Dominance
First three general elections, nature of Congress dominance at the National level, uneven dominance at the state level, coalitional nature of Congress. Major opposition parties.
Nation – Building and Its Problems
Nehru’s approach to nation-building: Legacy of partition: challenge of ‘refugee’ resettlement, the Kashmir problem. Organisation and reorgansation of states; Political conflicts over language.
Politics of Planned Development
Five year plans, expansion of state sector and the rise of new economic interest.
India’s External Relation
Nehru’s foreign policy. Sino-Indian war of 1962, Indo-Pak war of 1965 and 1971. India’s nuclear programme and shifting alliance in world politics.
Challenge to and Restoration of Congress System
Political succession after Nehru. NonCongressism and electoral upset of 1967, Congress split and reconstitution, Congress’ victory in 1971 elections, politics of ‘garibi hatao’.
Crises of the Constitutional Order
Search for ‘committed’ bureaucracy and judiciary. Navnirman movement in Gujarat and the Bihar movement. Emergency: context, constitutional and extraconstitutional dimensions, resistance to emergency. 1977 elections and the formation of Janata Party. Rise of civil liberties organisations.
Regional Aspiration and Conflicts
Rise of regional parties. Punjab crisis and the anti-Sikh riots of 1984. The Kashmir situation. Challenges and responses in the North East.
Democratic Upsurge and Coalition Politics
Participatory upsurge in 1990s. Rise of the JD and the BJP. Increasing role of regional parties and coalition politics. UF and NDA governments. Elections 2004-2019 and UPA government with addition of NDA government.
Recent Issues and Challenges
Challenge of and responses to globalization: new economic policy and its opposition. Rise of OBCs in North Indian politics. Dalit politics in electoral and non-electoral arena. Challenge of communalism: Ayodhya issue.
Contemporary World Politics
Disintegration of the ‘Second World’ and the Collapse of Bipolarity
New entities in world politics: Russia, Balkan states and, Central Asian states, Introduction of democratic politics and capitalism in postcommunist regimes. India’s relations with Russia and other post-communist countries.
Alternative Centres of Economic and Political Power
Rise of China as an economic power in postMao era, creation and expansion of European Union, ASEAN. India’s changing relations with China, Japan and South Korea.
South Asia in the Post Cold War Era
Democratisation and its reversals in Pakistan and Nepal. Ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka. Impact of economic globalization on the region. Conflicts and efforts for peace in South Asia. India’s relation with its neighbours.
International Organisations in a Unipolar World
Restructuring and the future of the UN. India’s position in the restructured UN. Rise of new international actors: new international economic organisations, NGOs. How democratic and accountable are the new institution of global governance?
Security in Contemporary World
Traditional concerns of security and politics of disarmament. Non-traditional of human security: global poverty, health and education. Issues of human rights and migration.
Environment and Natural Resources in Global Politics
Environment movement and evolution of global environmental norms. Conflicts over traditional and common property resources. Right of indigenous people. India’s stand in global environmental debates.
Globalisation and its critics
Economic, cultural and political manifestations. Debates on the nature of consequences of globalization. Anti-globalisation movements. India as an arena of globalization and struggles against it.