Here’s the complete, semester-wise DU BA (Hons.) Political Science syllabus under the NEP UGCF 2022 structure — covering all Discipline Specific Core (DSC) papers from Semester 1 to 6, along with the credit distribution and a quick guide to each semester’s focus.
Use this page to plan your semester ahead of time, then head to our DU Political Science PYQs page to see how each paper has actually been examined in past years.
Programme Structure at a Glance
BA (Hons.) Political Science carries 3 DSC papers per semester across Semesters 1–6, plus one of the largest Discipline Specific Elective (DSE) pools among DU’s social science disciplines, starting from Semester 3. Each core paper is worth 4 credits (3 theory + 1 tutorial).
Semester 1
Understanding Political Theory — DSC-1 · Ideas & Institutions in Indian Political Thought — DSC-2 · Colonialism & Nationalism in India — DSC-3
Semester 1 establishes the analytical vocabulary of political theory alongside ancient Indian political institutions and the colonial/nationalist period — the conceptual foundation the rest of the degree builds on.
Note: GE Courses Are Same for All Semesters
Semester 2
Perspectives on Public Administration — DSC-4 · Methods & Approaches in Comparative Political Analysis — DSC-5 · Introduction to International Relations: Theories, Concepts & Debates — DSC-6
Semester 2 introduces three distinct sub-fields at once — public administration, comparative method, and IR theory — giving students an early sense of which specialisation interests them most.
Semester 3
Ancient & Medieval Indian Political Thought — DSC-7 · Political Theory: Concepts & Debates — DSC-8 · Constitutional Government & Democracy in India — DSC-9
Semester 3 introduces the DSE pool alongside core papers — options include State Politics in India and Indian Constitution: Key Debates. The DSC papers this semester deepen Indian political thought and constitutional theory.
Semester 4
Public Administration in India — DSC-10 · Concepts in Comparative Political Analysis — DSC-11 · Global Politics — DSC-12
Semester 4 applies Semester 2’s frameworks to India specifically and to global politics more broadly, with DSE options like Gandhi and the Contemporary World and India’s National Security.
Semester 5
Western Political Philosophy-I — DSC-13 · Modern Indian Political Thought — DSC-14 · Political Process in India — DSC-15
Semester 5 remains core DSC (not purely elective) — covering Western political philosophy, modern Indian political thinkers, and the practical political process in India. DSE options include International Political Economy and Understanding Ambedkar.
Semester 6
Public Policy — DSC-16 · Comparative Political Systems — DSC-17 · India’s Foreign Policy: Challenges and Strategies — DSC-18
Semester 6 completes your core Political Science Honours coursework — public policy analysis, comparative political systems across countries, and India’s foreign policy. DSE options include Understanding Security and Understanding Savarkar.
Full DSC Paper & Credit Structure
| Semester | Paper | Code | Credits (Theory+Tutorial) |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Understanding Political Theory | DSC-1 | 4 (3+1) |
| I | Ideas & Institutions in Indian Political Thought | DSC-2 | 4 (3+1) |
| I | Colonialism & Nationalism in India | DSC-3 | 4 (3+1) |
| II | Perspectives on Public Administration | DSC-4 | 4 (3+1) |
| II | Methods & Approaches in Comparative Political Analysis | DSC-5 | 4 (3+1) |
| II | Introduction to International Relations | DSC-6 | 4 (3+1) |
| III | Ancient & Medieval Indian Political Thought | DSC-7 | 4 (3+1) |
| III | Political Theory: Concepts & Debates | DSC-8 | 4 (3+1) |
| III | Constitutional Government & Democracy in India | DSC-9 | 4 (3+1) |
| IV | Public Administration in India | DSC-10 | 4 (3+1) |
| IV | Concepts in Comparative Political Analysis | DSC-11 | 4 (3+1) |
| IV | Global Politics | DSC-12 | 4 (3+1) |
| V | Western Political Philosophy-I | DSC-13 | 4 (3+1) |
| V | Modern Indian Political Thought | DSC-14 | 4 (3+1) |
| V | Political Process in India | DSC-15 | 4 (3+1) |
| VI | Public Policy | DSC-16 | 4 (3+1) |
| VI | Comparative Political Systems | DSC-17 | 4 (3+1) |
| VI | India’s Foreign Policy: Challenges and Strategies | DSC-18 | 4 (3+1) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this the same syllabus as the CBCS Political Science Honours programme?
No — this reflects the current NEP UGCF 2022 structure. Several DSC papers (e.g. Colonialism & Nationalism in India, Global Politics) are new or renamed compared to the older CBCS syllabus.
Are Semester 5 and 6 elective-only?
No — Semester 5 and 6 both carry 3 DSC (core) papers each, same as every other semester. DSE (elective) papers run alongside DSC from Semester 3 onward, they don’t replace it.
Where can I find the detailed unit-wise breakdown for a specific paper?
This page covers the paper list and credit structure. For unit-by-unit topics, check the linked notes for each paper above (once added), or the official DU syllabus PDF for that paper.
How large is the DSE pool for Political Science?
Quite large — over 15 DSE options across Semesters 3–8, covering everything from State Politics in India to Feminism: Theory and Practice. This page focuses on the core DSC papers; let us know if a dedicated DSE breakdown would help.
Related Resources
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