NCERT Book for Class 12 Political Science
If you are a Class 12 student preparing for your CBSE board exams, the NCERT Political Science textbooks are the most important study material you need. Clear in language, structured in approach, and aligned with the CBSE syllabus, these books form the backbone of your preparation for both board exams and competitive tests like CUET.
On this page, you can find the complete details about both Class 12 Political Science NCERT books along with study guidance, chapter lists, and tips to score well.
About NCERT Class 12 Political Science Books
Class 12 Political Science is divided into two separate books, each covering a distinct area of the subject.
The first book is Contemporary World Politics, which deals with global events, international organisations, and how the world has shaped itself since the Cold War. The second book is Politics in India Since Independence, which traces the political history of India from 1947 up to recent decades.
Both books are part of the latest edition prescribed by CBSE and are used across schools in India for the Class 12 board examination.
Book 1 – Contemporary World Politics
This book helps students understand how the global political order has changed over the decades. It covers India's place in the world, the role of international bodies like the United Nations, and issues like globalisation, security, and environmental concerns.
Chapters Covered
Chapter 1: The End of Bipolarity
Chapter 2: Contemporary Centres of Power
Chapter 3: Contemporary South Asia
Chapter 4: International Organisations
Chapter 5: Security in the Contemporary World
Chapter 6: Environment and Natural Resources
Chapter 7: Globalisation
This book carries approximately 40 marks in the CBSE Class 12 board exam. Students should pay close attention to Chapter 4 on International Organisations as it is frequently asked in exams.
Book 2 – Politics in India Since Independence
This book covers the political history of India from independence to more recent times. It helps students understand how democracy took root in India, how political parties evolved, and how challenges like the Emergency, regional aspirations, and coalition politics shaped the country.
Chapters Covered
Chapter 1: Challenges of Nation Building
Chapter 2: Era of One-party Dominance
Chapter 3: Politics of Planned Development
Chapter 4: India's External Relations
Chapter 5: Challenges to and Restoration of the Congress System
Chapter 6: The Crisis of Democratic Order
Chapter 7: Regional Aspirations
Chapter 8: Recent Developments in Indian Politics
This book is particularly useful for students who enjoy reading about real political events and understanding how governance in India has evolved since 1947.
Why Are NCERT Books Important for Class 12 Political Science?
NCERT books for Class 12 Political Science are important for several reasons, and most experienced teachers and toppers recommend starting your preparation with them.
The language is simple, which makes it easy to understand even complex political concepts.
Almost all board exam questions are based directly on NCERT content.
Important boxes, in-text questions, and cartoons in the book often appear as sources for exam questions.
CUET Political Science questions are also largely based on NCERT chapters.
The books are written by experienced academics and cover all the required topics without unnecessary information.
Even if you use additional guides or question banks, the NCERT book should always be your primary reference.
Which Is the Toughest Chapter in Class 12 Political Science?
Many students find Chapter 4 – India's External Relations from the "Politics in India" book quite challenging. It involves understanding foreign policy decisions, India's relationships with neighbouring countries, and international conflicts, all of which require keeping track of multiple events and timelines.
In Contemporary World Politics, students sometimes struggle with the chapters on globalisation and international organisations because they involve abstract concepts and global data.
The best approach is to read these chapters carefully, make short notes, and revise them using past year questions.
How to Score Well in Class 12 Political Science Board Exam
Scoring 90 or above in Political Science is very much achievable if you plan your preparation well. Here are some practical tips.
Read the NCERT books thoroughly at least twice before your exam.
Make notes chapter by chapter, including important dates, events, terms, and key personalities.
Pay attention to the boxes and special features in the book because CBSE often uses them to frame short and objective-type questions.
Solve exercise questions at the end of each chapter because they are frequently repeated in board exams.
Use previous year question papers to understand the pattern and practise writing structured answers.
Try to write answers in a clear, point-based format since it makes your responses easier to evaluate.
Starting your preparation early in the academic year and revising regularly is the most reliable strategy.
FAQs – NCERT Class 12 Political Science
Q1. How many books are there in Class 12 Political Science?
There are two NCERT books for Class 12 Political Science. The first is "Contemporary World Politics" and the second is "Politics in India Since Independence." Both books are prescribed by CBSE and are important for the board exam.
Q2. Are NCERT books enough to score above 90 in Class 12 Political Science?
Yes, for most students, studying NCERT books thoroughly is sufficient to score above 90 in the board exam. CBSE frames most of its questions based on NCERT content. You can supplement your preparation with sample papers and previous year question papers for exam practice.
Q3. Is Class 12 Political Science useful for CUET?
Yes, CUET Political Science domain subject questions are heavily based on the Class 12 NCERT syllabus. If you have prepared the NCERT books well for your board exams, you already have a strong foundation for CUET preparation.
Q4. Which chapter should I study first in Class 12 Political Science?
It is generally advised to start from Chapter 1 of each book in sequence. However, if you are short on time, prioritise the chapters that carry more marks and appear frequently in previous year papers, such as India's External Relations, The Crisis of Democratic Order, and International Organisations.
Q5. Is the Class 12 Political Science NCERT book available for free?
The NCERT books are publicly available as educational material through NCERT's official channels. FutureTopper.in shares this material for educational reference to help students access their required study content conveniently.