AHSEC 1st Year Syllabus 2024-25 Political Science

SYLABUS FOR HIGHER SECONDARY FIRST YEAR COURSE 2023-2024
Political Science
One paper Time: Three hours Marks: 100(80+20)

Unit wise Distribution of Marks & Periods
Unit Contents Marks Periods
A. Political Theory
Unit I: An Introduction to Political Theory 06 12
Unit II: Freedom 06 12
Unit III Equality 06 12
Unit IV: Social Justice 06 12
Unit V Rights 06 12
Unit VI: Citizenship 06 12
Unit VII: Nationalism 06
Unit VIII: Secularism 04 06
Unit I: Constitution: why and how 04 12
Unit II: Rights in the Indian Constitution 06 12
Unit III: Election and Representation 03 08
Unit IV: Executive 06 12
Unit V: Legislature 06 12
Unit VI: Judiciary 06 12
Unit VII: Federalism 03 10
Unit VIII: Local Government 03 10
Unit IX: The Constitution as a Living Document 03 08
and its Philosophy

C. Project work 20

Total Marks 100 180

UNIT WISE DISTRIBUTION OF COURSE CONTENTS

A. Political Theory

Unit I: An Introduction to Political Theory
What is Politics- Necessity of studying Political Theory-Scope and utility of Political
Theory.
Unit II: Freedom
Meaning of Freedom-Constraints and its necessity - concept of harm principle,
Negative & Positive Liberty-Freedom of Expression
Unit III: Equality
Meaning of Equality and its significance- Equality of Opportunities- Natural and Social
inequalities – Three dimension of equality - Political Equality, Social equality, Economic
equality - Feminism- Socialism- liberalism - Promotion of Equality- equality through
differential treatment -Affirmative Action.

Unit IV: Social Justice
Meaning of Justice- Means of establishing Justice- Equal treatment for equal-
Proportionate justice - John Rawls’ theory of Justice- Recognition of special needs-
Just distribution - Concept of Social Justice- Pursuing Social Justice-Free market vs.
state intervention.

Unit V: Rights
Rights and its origin- Kinds of rights- Legal Right and the state; Right and
responsibilities.

Unit VI: Citizenship
Meaning of Citizenship- Free and equal –Membership-Equal Rights-Citizen and
Nation-Universal and Global citizenship.
Unit VII: Nationalism
Concept of Nation and Nationalism - Elements of Nation - National Self-determination-
Nationalism and Pluralism.
Unit VIII: Secularism
Meaning of secularism; Inter-religious domination-Intra religious domination-
Secular State - Western and Indian Secularism; Criticism of Indian Secularism.

Unit I: Constitution: Why and How

Necessity and functions of the Constitution – Authority of Constitution. Framing of
Indian Constitution and its legacy.

Unit II: Fundamental Rights

Significance of Rights - Fundamental Rights in India and its significance - National
Human right commission; Directive Principles of State Policy and its Relation with
Fundamental Rights.

Unit III: Election and Representation

Election and Democracy- Indian Election System and its Various types- Reservation of
Constituencies. Universal Adult franchise and right to contest – Election commission;
– Electoral reforms

Unit IV: Executive

What is an Executive? Different Types of Executive-Parliamentary Executive in India
Powers and position of the President of India, Prime Minister and Council of
Ministers; Permanent Executive-Bureaucracy.

Unit V: Legislature

Why do we need a Parliament? Unicameral /Bicameral Legislature, Lok Sabha and
Rajya Sabha – Parliamentary control over executive; Parliamentary committees and
Legislative Procedure.

Unit VI: Judiciary
The meaning and need of Independent Judiciary- Appointment and removal of the
Judges of the Supreme Court of India Composition and Jurisdiction of the Supreme
Court of India -Structure of the Judiciary-Judicial Review- Judicial Activism Judiciary
and Parliament.

Unit VII: Federalism
What is Federalism? Federalism and Indian Constitution-Centralizing tendency -
Conflicts in Indian Federal System – Central State Relationship

Unit VIII: Local Government

Needs of Local Government-Growth of Local Government in India-73rd and 74th
Amendments - Implementation of 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts- State Election
Commission - State finance commission.

Unit IX: The Constitution as a Living Document and its Philosophy

Basic structure of the Constitution- Philosophy of the Constitution of India -
Constitution as a Living Document and Amendment of the Indian Constitution of India.

C. Project Work - 20 Marks
Sample Project

 National self –determination and its implication.
 Ambedkar and social justice
 Necessity of reservation
 Citizenship in globalized world.
 Legislative Relations
 Secularism- Indian vs. Western
 Implementation of 73rd and 74th armament and its implications
 Basic Structure of Indian Constitution Etc.