CBSE Class 12 Political Science Important Topics, Most Repeated Topics List

Preparing for board exams becomes much easier when you know which chapters and themes deserve extra attention. CBSE Class 12 Political Science Important Topics help students focus on high-weightage areas instead of revising everything without direction. 

Political Science is a theory-based subject, but it also requires strong conceptual clarity, understanding of contemporary events, and the ability to write structured, analytical answers.

Here are covered crucial Class 12 Political Science topics, including the causes for USSR disintegration, reasons for the 1975 Emergency, and its crucial lessons for democracy.

List of Class 12 Political Science Important Topics

Class 12 Political Science Important Topics explores essential themes frequently tested in Class 12 Political Science examinations. It provides a comprehensive overview of the disintegration of the USSR, the Emergency of 1975, and its lasting impact. 

It also covers ASEAN's role as a power center, India-Bangladesh relations, the consequences of globalization, and challenges of India's first general election topic as per Class 12 Political Science Syllabus.

1. Causes for the Disintegration of the USSR

The causes for the disintegration of the USSR and its consequences are frequently asked topics. The primary reasons include:

1. Economic Stagnation: The Soviet economy suffered from low productivity, a lack of technological advancement, and an inefficient system of planning. The USSR could not match Western capitalist economies in terms of consumer goods and living standards.

2. Political and Administrative Rigidity: Operating under a one-party system, all power was concentrated in the Communist Party. This system was not accountable to the people, characterized by widespread corruption and excessive bureaucratization. A lack of political openness led to a complete loss of public trust.

3. Gorbachev's Reforms: Mikhail Gorbachev's policies, while intended to reform, unintentionally weakened the system. Economic restructuring (Perestroika) created shortages, and political openness (Glasnost) encouraged public criticism and demands for autonomy from various republics.

4. Rise of Nationalism: This is considered the most immediate cause of disintegration. Nationalist sentiments and the desire for sovereignty were particularly strong in republics like Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Georgia, and Ukraine. These demands, fueled by ethnic tensions, fatally weakened Soviet unity.

5. Fall of the Communist Party's Legitimacy: The party lost its control and influence as people shifted allegiance towards democratic and capitalist alternatives. These factors collectively led to the collapse of the Soviet system in 1991.

Also Check : CBSE Class 12 Political Science Weightage 2026

2. Reasons for the Imposition of the Emergency (1975)

The topic of the Emergency is critically important. A question on its causes, events, or consequences is almost certain. The official and underlying reasons for its imposition on June 25, 1975, were:

1. Political Conflict and Opposition Movements: The period saw intense political agitations, notably the JP Movement, along with widespread student protests and strikes. The central government claimed these movements created national instability.

2. Economic Crisis: India faced severe economic conditions, including food shortages, high inflation (mehangai), and unemployment. Widespread strikes contributed to a crisis-like atmosphere.

3. Internal Disturbance (Official Justification): The government officially argued that law and order had deteriorated to a point where administration was paralyzed, citing this as the formal reason for imposing the Emergency.

4. Judicial Challenge to Indira Gandhi (The "Real" Cause): A significant trigger was the Allahabad High Court verdict invalidating Indira Gandhi's 1971 election, creating a major political crisis. This judgment would have required her to step down. Although the Supreme Court granted a partial stay, opposition parties intensified calls for her resignation. This confrontation led the government to declare an Emergency, citing internal disturbances.

3. Lessons Learned from the Emergency

The Emergency taught India two critical lessons:

1. The Importance of Democratic Institutions: The period demonstrated how easily executive power could be misused. It underscored the vital need to protect democratic institutions from such abuse. A strong system of checks and balances between the legislature, executive, and judiciary is essential for the healthy functioning of the country.

2. The Need for Civil Liberties: The suspension of Fundamental Rights, imposition of press censorship, and widespread arrests highlighted the value of individual freedoms. It taught both citizens and the government that civil liberties must not be compromised and must be protected under all circumstances.

4. ASEAN as an Alternative Center of Power

ASEAN has emerged as a significant alternative center of power in world politics for the following reasons:

1. Economic Growth: The ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) has transformed the region into one of the fastest-growing global markets.

2. Political Cooperation (The ASEAN Way): ASEAN promotes regional peace and stability through a unique, non-confrontational, and informal approach to negotiation and conflict avoidance known as the "ASEAN Way." This method emphasizes cooperation and consensus.

3. Regional Security: Through the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the organization promotes security dialogue among nations, fostering strategic stability in the region.

4. Collective Influence: As a bloc of 10 nations, ASEAN exercises collective bargaining power in world affairs. This enhances its role in global decision-making, establishing it as an influential, though not rival, alternative center of power, particularly in Asia.

5. India-Bangladesh Relations: Areas of Cooperation and Disagreement

India and Bangladesh share a complex relationship with both cooperation and points of contention.

6. Cultural and Political Consequences of Globalization

Globalization, the increasing integration of countries worldwide, has multifaceted consequences.

Cultural Consequences

1. Cultural Homogenization: Globalization spreads a popular global culture, leading to similarities in lifestyle, food, clothing, and entertainment across the world. This can create a more uniform global culture.

2. Cultural Heterogenization: Globalization also leads to the mixing of local and foreign cultures, creating new, hybrid forms. This process can also strengthen local cultures as they adapt and react to global influences. ( Memory Tip: An analogy for cultural heterogenization is the trend of wearing jeans with a traditional kurta.)

Political Consequences

1. Erosion of State Capacity: Globalization can reduce a state's role and capacity in economic decision-making, as power shifts towards multinational corporations (MNCs) and international institutions that regulate the world market.

2. Growth of Democracy and Human Rights: The global flow of ideas has helped strengthen democratic norms, civil liberties, and human rights awareness worldwide.

3. Rise of International Organizations: Global governance institutions like the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have grown in influence, often impacting the national policymaking of member states.

7. Effects of the 1962, 1965, and 1971 Wars on India

The cumulative impact of these wars significantly shaped India's foreign and defense policies.

• 1962 War (with China): Resulted in a significant military setback for India. This led to a major re-thinking of India's defense policy and a massive strengthening of its armed forces to prevent future defeats.

• 1965 War (with Pakistan): Ended in a stalemate but highlighted the urgent need for better military preparedness. The conflict also served to strengthen national unity and patriotic sentiment.

• 1971 War (with Pakistan): A decisive victory for India that led to the creation of Bangladesh from what was East Pakistan. This victory significantly enhanced India's prestige on the world stage and cemented its position as a major regional power.

Overall, these wars collectively led to increased military expansion, higher defense spending, and a strengthened strategic position for India in the region.

8. Problems Faced by the Election Commission in the First General Election

Conducting the first general election in newly independent India was a monumental task. The two major problems faced by the Election Commission were:

1. Preparing Accurate Electoral Rolls (Voters' Lists): This was a massive challenge in a country with a vast and largely illiterate population. A specific issue was that a huge number of women were registered not by their own names but as "wife of…" or "daughter of…". The Election Commission had to rectify these lists to ensure individual identity.

2. Lack of Electoral Infrastructure and Voter Illiteracy: There was a severe lack of physical infrastructure, including an inadequate number of polling booths and trained staff to manage the election process for 17 crore eligible voters. The widespread illiteracy of voters also posed a challenge, necessitating the use of pictorial symbols for political parties and candidates to help voters identify them.

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