DU Political Science Previous Year Question Papers

Preparing for your BA (Hons.) Political Science exams at Delhi University? This page brings together semester-wise previous year question papers for the Political Science Honours programme so you can revise around the topics examiners actually test, instead of re-reading the entire syllabus.

Each semester section below is filterable by academic year. Note: these collections are added as we’re able to source them from students, colleges, and libraries — so not every paper, course, or year will necessarily be available for every semester. We keep adding papers as we find them.

Why Political Science PYQs Are Especially Important

Political Science papers at DU mix conceptual theory questions with application-based and current-affairs-linked answers, which means examiners often reframe the same core debates (liberty vs. equality, federalism, comparative systems) using different case studies each year. Reviewing PYQs helps you:

Spot which theoretical debates repeat across years in a different dress
Identify how examiners link theory papers to current events (elections, policy changes, international relations developments)
Practise structuring conceptual vs. applied answers differently
Build a shortlist of thinkers and concepts that appear most frequently in long-answer questions

How to Revise Political Science Using These Papers

Finish a unit from your DU Political Science syllabus notes first, then attempt that unit’s PYQs immediately.
For theory papers, memorise the core arguments of 2-3 named thinkers per concept rather than trying to cover everyone.
For applied papers (Public Administration, Indian Politics, Foreign Policy), note which real-world examples recur across years’ answer keys or model answers.
Cross-check the paper name/code against your own DSC/DSE/GE combination, since Political Science has a large elective pool from Semester 3 onward.

Semester 1

Semester 1’s DSC papers are Understanding Political Theory, Ideas & Institutions in Indian Political Thought, and Colonialism & Nationalism in India. Question papers below are listed as we’ve been able to source them, so availability may vary. As the introductory semester, expect a good share of definitional and conceptual short-answer questions alongside a few analytical long-answers on core political ideas.

Semester 2

Semester 2 covers Perspectives on Public Administration, Methods & Approaches in Comparative Political Analysis, and Introduction to International Relations: Theories, Concepts & Debates. This is often students’ first proper exposure to IR theory and comparative method, so PYQs here are especially useful for spotting which theoretical schools (realism, liberalism, etc.) DU tests most.

Semester 3

Semester 3’s core papers are Ancient & Medieval Indian Political Thought, Political Theory: Concepts & Debates, and Constitutional Government & Democracy in India, alongside DSE options like State Politics in India and Indian Constitution: Key Debates. Whichever papers are available below, prioritise the ones matching your own elective choice.

Semester 4

Semester 4 covers Public Administration in India, Concepts in Comparative Political Analysis, and Global Politics, with DSE options such as Gandhi and the Contemporary World and India’s National Security: Major Challenges and Strategic Thinking. Use whichever PYQs are available below to prioritise recurring current-affairs-linked long-answer themes.

Semester 5

Semester 5’s DSC papers are Western Political Philosophy-I, Modern Indian Political Thought, and Political Process in India, alongside DSE options like International Political Economy and Understanding Ambedkar. Check the paper name/code on each PDF below against your own DSC/DSE combination before relying on it.

Semester 6

Semester 6, your final core semester, has Public Policy, Comparative Political Systems, and India’s Foreign Policy: Challenges and Strategies, alongside DSE options like Understanding Security and Understanding Savarkar. These are your most recent-pattern PYQs, so prioritise the last 2-3 years’ papers here, subject to availability.

Semester-Wise DSC Paper Reference

Semester	DSC Papers
Semester 1	Understanding Political Theory · Ideas & Institutions in Indian Political Thought · Colonialism & Nationalism in India
Semester 2	Perspectives on Public Administration · Methods & Approaches in Comparative Political Analysis · Introduction to International Relations
Semester 3	Ancient & Medieval Indian Political Thought · Political Theory: Concepts & Debates · Constitutional Government & Democracy in India
Semester 4	Public Administration in India · Concepts in Comparative Political Analysis · Global Politics
Semester 5	Western Political Philosophy-I · Modern Indian Political Thought · Political Process in India
Semester 6	Public Policy · Comparative Political Systems · India’s Foreign Policy: Challenges and Strategies

Source: University of Delhi, Office of Academic Affairs – Department of Political Science programme structure. DSE (elective) papers run alongside DSC from Semester 3 onward — this table covers core DSC papers only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Are DU Political Science PYQs enough to clear the exam? PYQs are a strong revision tool but work best alongside complete unit-wise notes. Use them to identify priority topics, not as your only preparation material.

Q2. Do question patterns change between CBCS and NEP Political Science papers? Course names and codes differ (the NEP/UGCF structure introduced several new DSC and DSE papers), but core theoretical debates remain broadly consistent. Always verify the paper name against your current syllabus.

Q3. How many years of PYQs should I revise? Ideally the last 3-4 academic years, since that window best reflects the current examiner’s pattern while still showing you which questions repeat.

Q4. Why is a particular paper or year missing from a semester? We add question papers as we’re able to source them from students, college archives, and libraries — so coverage isn’t guaranteed to be complete for every course or every academic year. If you have a paper we’re missing, you’re welcome to share it with us so we can add it for other students.

Q5. Where can I find the official DU Political Science syllabus? You can cross-check the official syllabus on the University of Delhi’s website or through your college’s academic handbook.