Crack UGC NET Political Science: Syllabus Coverage, Prep Guide & Resources

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11-Sep-2025

The UGC NET Paper II Political Science is one of the most important exams for aspirants who wish to qualify for lectureship or Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) in Political Science. With a vast syllabus that covers both classical and contemporary political thought, international relations, and public administration, preparing systematically is the key to success. This blog provides a detailed syllabus breakdown, preparation tips, recommended books, and study plan to help you excel in the exam.

UGC NET Political Science Syllabus Coverage
Here’s a unit-wise breakdown of the major topics included in the syllabus:
Unit - 1: Political Theory
- Concepts: Rights, Equality, Liberty, Justice, Democracy, Power, Citizenship
- Political Traditions, Liberalism, Conservatism, Socialism, Marxism, Neo, Feminism, Ecologism, Multiculturism, Postmodernism
Unit - 2: Political Thought
Confucius, Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Hegel, Mary Wollstonecraft, John Stuart Mill, Karl Marx, Gramsci, Hannah Arendt, Frantz Fanon, Mao Zedong, John Rawls.
Unit - 3: Indian Political Thought
Dharamshastra, Kautilya, Aggannasutta, Barani, Kabir, Pandita Ramabai, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Swami Vivekanand, Rabindranath Tagore, M. K. Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo, Periyar E. V. Ramasamy, Muhammad Iqbal, M.N. Roy, V. D. Savarkar, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, J. L. Nehru, Ram Manohar Lohia, Jaya Prakash Narayan, Deendayal Upadhyaya
Unit - 4: Comparative Political Analysis
- Approaches: Institutional, Political Culture, Political Economy and New Institutionalism; Comparative Methods.
- Colonialism and decolonization: forms of colonialism, anti-colonial struggles and decolonization.
- Nationalism: European and non-European.
- State theory: debate over the nature of state in capitalist and socialist societies; post-colonial state; welfare state; globalization and nations-states.
- Political regimes: democratic (Electoral, Liberal, Majoritarian and Participatory) and non-democratic regimes (Patrimonialism, Bureaucratic authoritarianism, Military dictatorship, Totalitarianism, and fascist).
- Constitutions and Constitutionalism: forms of constitutions, rule of law, judicial independence and liberal constitutionalism; emergency powers and crisis of constitutionalism.
- Democratisation: democratic transition and consolidation.
- Development: Underdevelopment, Dependency, Modernization, World Systems Theory, development and democracy.
- Structures of Power: ruling class, power elites, democratic elitism
- Actor and Processes: Electoral Systems, Political Parties and Party System, Interest groups, social movements, new social movements, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and civil society campaigns; Revolutions.
Unit - 5: International Relations
- Approaches to the study of International relations: Idealism, Realism, Structural Marxism, Neoliberalism, Neorealism, Social Constructivism, Critical International Theory, Feminism, Postmodernism.
- Concepts: State, state system and non-state actors, Power, Sovereignty, Security: traditional and non- traditional.
- Conflict and Peace: Changing Nature of Warfare; Weapons of mass destruction; deterrence; conflict resolution, conflict transformation.
- United Nations: Aims, Objectives, Structure and Evaluation of the Working of UN; Peace and Development perspectives; Humanitarian intervention. International law; International Criminal Court.
- Political Economy of IR; Globalisation; Global governance and Bretton Woods system, North-South Dialogue, WTO, G-20, BRICS.
- Regional Organisations: European Union, African Union, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, ASEAN.
- Contemporary Challenges: International terrorism, Climate change and Environmental Concerns, Human Rights, Migration and Refugees; Poverty and Development; Role of Religion, Culture and Identity Politics.
Unit - 6: India’s Foreign Policy
- Perspectives on India’s Foreign Policy: India’s Identity as postcolonial, development, rising power and as emerging political economy.
- Continuity and change in India’s Foreign Policy: Principles and determinants; non-alignment movement: historical background and relevance of Non-Aligned Movement; India’s Nuclear Policy.
- India’s relations with major powers: USA, USSR/Russia, People’s Republic of China.
- India’s Engagement with multipolar world: India’s relations with European Union, BRICS, ASEAN, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, African Union, Southern African Development Community, Gulf Cooperation Council.
- India’s relations with neighborhood: SAARC, Gujaral doctrine, Look East/ Act East, Look West.
- India’s Negotiation Strategies in International Regimes: The United Nations, World Trade Organisation, International Monetary Fund, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
- Contemporary challenges: maritime security, energy security, environmental security, migrants and refugees, water resources, international terrorism, cyber security.
Unit - 7: Political Institutions in India
- Making of the Indian Constitution: Colonialism heritage and the contribution Indian National Movement to the making of the Indian Constitution.
- Constituent Assembly: Composition, Ideological Moorings, Constitutional Debates.
- Philosophy of the Constitution: Preamble, Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles.
- Constitutionalism in India: Democracy, Social Change, National Unity, Checks and Balances, Basic Structure Debate, Constitutional Amendments.
- Union Executive: President, Prime Minister and Council of Ministers.
- Union Parliament: Structure, Role and Functioning, Parliamentary Committees.
- Judiciary: Supreme Court, High Court, Judicial Review, Judicial Activism, Judicial Reform.
- Executive and Legislature in the States: Governor, Chief Minister, State Legislature.
- Federalism in India: Strong Centre Framework, Asymmetrical Federal Provisions and Adaption, Role of Intergovernmental Coordination Mechanisms, Inter-State Council, Emerging Trends.
- Electoral Process and Election Commission of India: Conduct of Elections, Rules, Electoral Reforms.
- Local Government Institutions: Functioning and reforms.
- Constitutional and Statutory Bodies: Comptroller and Auditor General, National Commission for Scheduled Castes, National Commission for Scheduled Tribes, National Commission for Human Rights, National Commission for Women, National Commission for Minorities.
Unit - 8: Political Processes in India
- State, Economy and Development: Nature of Indian State, Development Planning model, New Economic Policy, Growth and Human Development.
- Process of globalisation: social and economic implications.
- Identity Politics: Religion, Tribe, Caste, Region, Language.
- Social Movements: Dalit, Tribal, Women, Farmers, labour.
- Civil Society Groups: Non-Party Social Formations, Non-Governmental Organisations, Social Action Groups.
- Regionalisation of Indian Politics: Reorganisation of Indian States, States as Political and Economic Units, Sub-State Regions, Regional disparities, Demand for New State.
- Gender and Politics in India: Issues of Equality and Representation.
- Ideology and Social basis of Political Parties: National Parties, State Parties.
- Electoral Politics: Participation, Contestation, Representation, Emerging trends.
Unit - 9: Public Administration
- Public Administration: meaning and evolution; public and private administration Approaches: System Theory, Decision Making, Ecological Approach.
- Public administration theories and concepts: Scientific Management Theory, Rational Choice theory, New Public Administration, Development Administration, Comparative Public Administration, New Public Management, changing nature of Public Administration in the era of liberalisation and Globalisation.
- Theories and Principles of Organization: Scientific Management Theory, Bureaucratic Theory, Human Relations Theory.
- Managing the organization: Theories of leadership and motivation.
- Organisational Communication: Theories and Principles, Chester Bernard Principles of Communication, Information Management in the organization.
- Managing Conflict in the Organization: Mary Parker Follett.
- Management by Objectives- Peter Drucker
Unit – 10: Governance and Public Policy in India
- Governance, good governance and democratic governance, role of state, civil society and individuals.
- Accountability and control: Institutional mechanism for checks and balances, legislative control over executive, administrative and budgetary control, control through parliamentary committees, judicial control over legislature and executive, administrative culture, corruption and administrative reforms.
- Institutional mechanisms for good governance: Right to Information, Consumer Protection Act, Citizen Charter; Grievance redress system: Ombudsman, Lokpal, Lokayukta.
- Grassroots Governance: Panchayati Raj Institutions and their functioning.
- Planning and Development: Decentralised planning, planning for development, sustainable development, participatory development, e-governance; NITI Aayog.
- Public policy as an instrument of socio-economic development: public policies with special reference to housing, health, drinking water, food security, MNREGA, NHRM, RTE.
- Monitoring and evaluation of public policy; mechanisms of making governance process accountable: jansunwai, social audit.
Recommended Books for UGC NET Political Science
- An Introduction to Political Theory by O. P. Gauba
- Political Theory by Rajeev Bhargava and Ashok Acharya
- Public Administration in Theory & Practice by M. P. Sharma, B. L. Sadana & Harpreet Kaur
- Global Politics by Ben Whitham & Andrew Heywood
Prep Guide for UGC NET Political Science
- Understand the Syllabus Thoroughly: Begin with unit-wise syllabus mapping.
- Make Concept Notes: Short notes for theories, thinkers, and case studies help during revision.
- Practice Previous Year Papers: Identify recurring topics and frequently asked thinkers.
- Use Mock Tests: Take weekly mock tests to improve time management and accuracy.
- Balance Theory and Current Affairs: Keep track of contemporary global issues and Indian political developments.
- Daily Schedule: Dedicate 3–4 hours to Paper II preparation.
- Weekly Focus: Cover 1–2 units per week with summary notes.
- Revision: Last 2 weeks should focus only on revision and mock tests.
- Online Coaching (Optional): Enroll in structured online courses like Drishti UGC NET Political Science Online Course for expert guidance, test series, and doubt-clearing sessions.

Conclusion

The UGC NET Political Science demands both conceptual clarity and analytical understanding. By covering the syllabus systematically, practicing MCQs, and focusing on key thinkers and theories, aspirants can improve their chances of qualifying. With the right resources, proper time management, and a smart study plan, success in UGC NET Political Science is within reach.