UGC-NET Political Science
Unit 1: Political Theory
A. Core Concepts
- Liberty
- Equality
- Justice
- Rights
- Democracy
- Power
- Citizenship
B. Political Traditions / Ideologies
- Liberalism
- Conservatism
- Socialism
- Marxism
- Feminism
- Ecologism
- Multiculturalism
- Postmodernism
Unit 2: Political Thought
Major Thinkers
- Confucius
- Plato
- Aristotle
- Machiavelli
- Hobbes
- Locke
- Rousseau
- Hegel
- Mary Wollstonecraft
- John Stuart Mill
- Karl Marx
- Antonio Gramsci
- Hannah Arendt
- Frantz Fanon
- Mao Zedong
- John Rawls
Unit 3: Indian Political Thought
Classical and Medieval Sources
- Dharmashastra
- Kautilya
- Aggannasutta
- Barani
Bhakti and Social Reform Traditions
Modern Indian Thinkers
- Bal Gangadhar Tilak
- Swami Vivekananda
- Rabindranath Tagore
- M. K. Gandhi
- Sri Aurobindo
- Periyar E. V. Ramasamy
- Muhammad Iqbal
- M. N. Roy
- V. D. Savarkar
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
- Jawaharlal Nehru
- Ram Manohar Lohia
- Jayaprakash Narayan
- Deendayal Upadhyaya
Unit 4: Comparative Political Analysis
A. Approaches
- Institutional Approach
- Political Culture Approach
- Political Economy Approach
- New Institutionalism
- Comparative Methods
B. Colonialism and Decolonization
- Forms of Colonialism
- Anti-colonial Struggles
- Decolonization
C. Nationalism
- European Nationalism
- Non-European Nationalism
D. State Theory
- Nature of the State in Capitalist Societies
- Nature of the State in Socialist Societies
- Post-colonial State
- Welfare State
- Globalization and Nation-State
E. Political Regimes
- Democratic Regimes:
- Electoral
- Liberal
- Majoritarian
- Participatory
- Non-Democratic Regimes:
- Patrimonialism
- Bureaucratic Authoritarianism
- Military Dictatorship
- Totalitarianism
- Fascism
F. Constitutions and Constitutionalism
- Forms of Constitutions
- Rule of Law
- Judicial Independence
- Liberal Constitutionalism
- Emergency Powers
- Crisis of Constitutionalism
G. Democratisation
- Democratic Transition
- Democratic Consolidation
H. Development Theories
- Underdevelopment
- Dependency Theory
- Modernization Theory
- World Systems Theory
- Development and Democracy
I. Structures of Power
- Ruling Class
- Power Elites
- Democratic Elitism
J. Actors and Processes
- Electoral Systems
- Political Parties and Party Systems
- Interest Groups
- Social Movements
- New Social Movements
- Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Civil Society Campaigns
- Revolutions
Unit 5: International Relations
A. Approaches
- Idealism
- Realism
- Structural Marxism
- Neoliberalism
- Neorealism
- Social Constructivism
- Critical International Theory
- Feminism
- Postmodernism
B. Core Concepts
- State and State System
- Non-State Actors
- Power
- Sovereignty
- Security (Traditional and Non-Traditional)
C. Conflict and Peace
- Changing Nature of Warfare
- Weapons of Mass Destruction
- Deterrence
- Conflict Resolution
- Conflict Transformation
D. United Nations and Global Governance
- Aims and Objectives
- Structure and Functioning
- Evaluation of the UN
- Peace and Development Perspectives
- Humanitarian Intervention
- International Law
- International Criminal Court
E. Political Economy of IR
- Globalisation
- Global Governance
- Bretton Woods System
- North-South Dialogue
- WTO, G-20, BRICS
F. Regional Organizations
- European Union
- African Union
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
- ASEAN
G. Contemporary Challenges
- International Terrorism
- Climate Change and Environmental Concerns
- Human Rights
- Migration and Refugees
- Poverty and Development
- Religion, Culture, and Identity Politics
Unit 6: India’s Foreign Policy
A. Perspectives
- India as a Postcolonial State
- India as a Developing Economy
- India as a Rising Power
- India as an Emerging Political Economy
B. Continuity and Change
- Principles and Determinants
- Non-Aligned Movement (Background and Relevance)
- India’s Nuclear Policy
C. Relations with Major Powers
- USA
- USSR/Russia
- People’s Republic of China
D. Engagement with the Multipolar World
- European Union
- BRICS
- ASEAN
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
- African Union
- Southern African Development Community
- Gulf Cooperation Council
E. Neighbourhood Policy
- SAARC
- Gujral Doctrine
- Look East / Act East Policy
- Look West Policy
F. Negotiation in International Regimes
- United Nations
- World Trade Organisation
- International Monetary Fund
- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
G. Contemporary Challenges
- Maritime Security
- Energy Security
- Environmental Security
- Migration and Refugees
- Water Resources
- International Terrorism
- Cyber Security
Unit 7: Political Institutions in India
A. Making of the Constitution
- Colonial Legacy
- Role of National Movement
B. Constituent Assembly
- Composition
- Ideological Foundations
- Constitutional Debates
C. Philosophy of the Constitution
- Preamble
- Fundamental Rights
- Directive Principles
D. Constitutionalism in India
- Democracy and Social Change
- National Unity
- Checks and Balances
- Basic Structure Doctrine
- Constitutional Amendments
E. Union Government
- President
- Prime Minister and Council of Ministers
- Parliament (Structure, Role, Committees)
F. Judiciary
- Supreme Court
- High Courts
- Judicial Review
- Judicial Activism
- Judicial Reforms
G. State Government
- Governor
- Chief Minister
- State Legislature
H. Federalism
- Strong Centre Framework
- Asymmetrical Federalism
- Intergovernmental Coordination
- Inter-State Council
- Emerging Trends
I. Electoral System
- Election Commission of India
- Conduct of Elections
- Electoral Reforms
J. Local Governance
- Local Government Institutions
- Reforms
K. Constitutional and Statutory Bodies
- Comptroller and Auditor General
- National Commission for Scheduled Castes
- National Commission for Scheduled Tribes
- National Human Rights Commission
- National Commission for Women
- National Commission for Minorities
Unit 8: Political Processes in India
A. State, Economy, and Development
- Nature of Indian State
- Development Planning
- New Economic Policy
- Growth and Human Development
B. Globalisation
- Social and Economic Implications
C. Identity Politics
- Religion
- Tribe
- Caste
- Region
- Language
D. Social Movements
- Dalit Movement
- Tribal Movement
- Women’s Movement
- Farmers’ Movement
- Labour Movement
E. Civil Society
- Non-Party Social Formations
- NGOs
- Social Action Groups
F. Regionalisation
- Reorganisation of States
- Regional Disparities
- Demand for New States
G. Gender and Politics
H. Political Parties
- Ideology and Social Base
- National and State Parties
I. Electoral Politics
- Participation
- Contestation
- Representation
- Emerging Trends
Unit 9: Public Administration
A. Foundations
- Meaning and Evolution
- Public vs Private Administration
B. Approaches
- Systems Theory
- Decision-Making Approach
- Ecological Approach
C. Theories and Concepts
- Scientific Management Theory
- Rational Choice Theory
- New Public Administration
- Development Administration
- Comparative Public Administration
- New Public Management
- Public Administration in Liberalisation and Globalisation
D. Organisation Theories
- Scientific Management
- Bureaucratic Theory
- Human Relations Theory
E. Management
- Leadership Theories
- Motivation Theories
F. Communication
- Organisational Communication Theories
- Chester Barnard’s Principles
- Information Management
G. Conflict Management
H. Management by Objectives
Unit 10: Governance and Public Policy in India
A. Governance
- Good Governance
- Democratic Governance
- Role of State, Civil Society, Individuals
B. Accountability
- Institutional Mechanisms
- Legislative, Administrative, Budgetary Control
- Parliamentary Committees
- Judicial Control
- Administrative Culture
- Corruption and Reforms
C. Mechanisms for Good Governance
- Right to Information
- Consumer Protection Act
- Citizen Charter
D. Grievance Redressal
- Ombudsman
- Lokpal
- Lokayukta
E. Grassroots Governance
- Panchayati Raj Institutions
F. Planning and Development
- Decentralised Planning
- Sustainable Development
- Participatory Development
- E-Governance
- NITI Aayog
G. Public Policy
- Role in Socio-Economic Development
- Policies on Housing, Health, Water, Food Security
- MNREGA, NHRM, RTE
H. Monitoring and Evaluation
- Policy Evaluation Mechanisms
- Social Audit
- Jansunwai