CBSE Class 12 Political Science Sample Papers 2026-27
Political Science is one of the few Class 12 subjects where a single passage or map question can be worth as much as four regular short-answer questions. In the 2026-27 blueprint, three whole questions in Section D are built around a picture, a map and a passage, and each of these also comes with a separate, easier alternative for visually challenged students placed right below it. That is a feature you will not find in most other subjects, and it means practising this question type properly can make a real difference to your score.
These sample papers are made by our team at futuretopper.in to help you practise in the same style and pattern as the official CBSE paper. They are not official CBSE sample papers, but every paper here follows the current CBSE blueprint closely, including the marks split across sections, the internal choices, and the special visually-challenged alternative questions. Each paper comes with a complete, step-by-step answer key so you can check your work and see exactly how full marks are scored.
Exam Pattern
The Class 12 Political Science paper is for 80 marks and lasts 3 hours. It has five sections, and every section has its own question style and word limit.
Section | Question Numbers | Type & Marks | Total Marks |
A | 1–12 | MCQ, 1 mark each | 12 |
B | 13–18 | Short answer, 2 marks each (50–60 words) | 12 |
C | 19–23 | Short answer, 4 marks each (100–120 words) | 20 |
D | 24–26 | Picture / map / passage based, 4 marks each | 12 |
E | 27–30 | Long answer, 6 marks each (170–180 words) | 24 |
There is an internal choice in two questions of Section C and in all four questions of Section E. Section D questions always come with an alternative set of questions for visually challenged candidates, printed just below the main question.
Download CBSE Class 12 Political Science Sample Papers
Each paper below includes the full question paper and a detailed marking scheme in one PDF, so you can attempt the paper first and then check your answers.
Sample Paper | What it Covers | Download Link |
Sample Paper 1 | Full-length paper with marking scheme, covering both books as per the blueprint | |
Sample Paper 2 | Full-length paper with marking scheme, with a fresh set of questions and a different map/passage | |
Sample Paper 3 | Full-length paper with marking scheme, for a third round of practice before the exam |
Unit Weightage
Political Science has two books, each worth 40 marks. Here is how the marks are spread across chapters.
Book 1: Contemporary World Politics
Chapter | Marks |
The End of Bipolarity | 6 |
Contemporary Centres of Power | 6 |
Contemporary South Asia | 6 |
International Organisations | 6 |
Security in the Contemporary World | 6 |
Environment and Natural Resources | 6 |
Globalisation | 4 |
Book 2: Politics in India since Independence
Chapter | Marks |
Challenges of Nation-Building | 6 |
Era of One-Party Dominance | 4 |
Politics of Planned Development | 2 |
India’s External Relations | 6 |
Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System | 4 |
The Crisis of Democratic Order | 4 |
Regional Aspirations | 6 |
Recent Developments in Indian Politics | 8 |
Along with the theory paper, there is also a 20-mark project, split into internal assessment work and a viva voce.
Competency-wise Distribution of Marks
Apart from chapter weightage, CBSE also groups questions by the thinking skill they test. Knowing this split helps you understand why some questions ask you to simply recall a fact, while others ask you to apply or analyse it.
Competency | What it Tests | Weightage |
Knowledge and Remembering | Recalling facts, terms and basic concepts you have studied | 27.5% |
Understanding | Organising, comparing, describing and explaining ideas in your own words | 30% |
Applying | Using what you know to interpret a map, cartoon, clipping or given situation | 27.5% |
Analysis and Evaluation | Comparing, classifying and drawing conclusions by examining information from different sources | 15% |
Since Understanding and Applying together make up more than half the paper, it is not enough to simply memorise the NCERT text. You also need to practise explaining concepts in your own words and working with maps, cartoons and passages.
Prescribed Books
CBSE follows two NCERT textbooks for Class 12 Political Science, and both are equally important since each carries 40 marks.
● Contemporary World Politics, Class XII, published by NCERT
● Politics in India since Independence, Class XII, published by NCERT
Both books are also available in Hindi and Urdu. Along with these, CBSE provides additional reference material on select topics such as BRICS, the European Union and NITI Aayog, which is meant for classroom discussion and is not directly assessed in the board exam, but is still useful background reading.
Project Work
Along with the 80-mark theory paper, Class 12 Political Science includes 20 marks of project work, made up of 10 marks for the project file and 10 marks for a viva voce based on it.
● Pick a topic from the syllabus or a genuine current issue, such as India’s relations with a neighbouring country or a recent constitutional amendment.
● Use real sources like newspaper clippings, government reports or NITI Aayog and RBI publications, and note down where each piece of information came from.
● Keep the project file organised under clear sections: introduction, content, presentation, conclusion and bibliography, since marks are given separately for each part.
● Prepare well for the viva, since it carries as many marks as the written file, and questions are usually based directly on what you have written.
How to Prepare
● Read both NCERT books at least twice, and note down important dates, names and terms as you go.
● Make short notes for each chapter, especially for topics with a lot of names and events, like Politics in India since Independence.
● Practise map work regularly using an outline map of India, since one map question appears in every paper.
● Keep a list of important committees, commissions and constitutional articles mentioned in the syllabus, as these often come up in MCQs.
● Solve previous years’ papers and sample papers under timed conditions so you get used to the 3-hour format.
● Revise current affairs related to India’s foreign relations and recent political developments, as these are often linked to passage or long-answer questions.
Tips to Score Well
● Stick to the word limits given for each section. Going too long on a 2-mark question wastes time you need elsewhere.
● For map questions, write the clue number, the letter shown in the map and the state name clearly, in the format asked.
● In long-answer questions, write in short points or short paragraphs rather than one big block of text, so the examiner can see your key points easily.
● Attempt all MCQs, even if unsure, since there is no negative marking.
● For assertion-reason questions, check both statements separately before deciding if the reason actually explains the assertion.
● Always mention a real example, date or name where possible in Section C and E answers, as this helps you score full marks.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there negative marking in the Class 12 Political Science exam?
No, there is no negative marking, so it is worth attempting every MCQ.
How many sections are there in the Political Science question paper?
There are five sections: A, B, C, D and E, with 30 questions in total for 80 marks.
Is the map question always from Politics in India since Independence?
Yes, the map-based question is set from this book, though the picture and passage questions can be based on either book.
How much project work is included in Political Science?
The project carries 20 marks, made up of internal assessment and a viva voce, in addition to the 80-mark theory paper.
Do these sample papers come with solutions?
Yes, every sample paper here includes a complete, question-wise marking scheme in the same PDF.
How many questions have an internal choice?
Two of the 4-mark questions in Section C and all four 6-mark questions in Section E come with an internal choice.
Are the visually challenged alternative questions compulsory for all students?
No, they are meant only for visually challenged candidates and are printed as an alternative to the regular Section D questions.
Which book carries more weightage in the exam?
Both books carry equal weightage of 40 marks each, so neither should be left under-prepared.
Is current affairs knowledge required for this subject?
Yes, topics like India’s foreign relations, recent elections and government schemes are often linked to passage-based and long-answer questions, so staying updated helps.