Physics Wallah
banner

UGC NET Political Science Unit 1 PYQs, with Concept Explanations

UGC NET Political Science Unit 1 PYQs help candidates revise important previous year questions from Political Theory. The questions cover frequently tested topics such as democracy, liberalism, conservatism, rights, postmodernism, critical theory, and political thinkers. Practising these PYQs helps candidates understand recurring exam patterns and strengthen conceptual clarity for the UGC NET examination.
authorImageAmit kumar Singh20 Jun, 2026
UGC NET Political Science Unit 1 PYQs

 

UGC NET Political Science Unit 1 covers Political Theory, one of the most important and frequently asked sections in the exam. Questions are regularly asked from ideologies, democracy, feminism, rights, ecologism, postmodernism, and major political thinkers. 

Revising UGC NET Political Science Unit 1 PYQs helps candidates identify recurring concepts, important scholars, and exam trends. Practice the key previous year questions along with concept-based explanations to strengthen revision and improve exam performance. 

Important UGC NET Political Science Unit 1 PYQs with Answers and Explanations

The following important questions and concepts were covered during the Unit 1 PYQ discussion session and represent areas that have appeared in previous UGC NET examinations. Practising such questions helps candidates understand recurring themes and improve exam readiness.

  1. Which thinker is associated with the concept of Deconstruction?

Answer: Jacques Derrida

Explanation:
Deconstruction is a major concept in postmodern political thought and is associated with Jacques Derrida. Questions linking thinkers with concepts are frequently asked in UGC NET Political Science.

  1. Who developed the Theory of Entitlement?

Answer: Robert Nozick

Explanation:
Robert Nozick's Theory of Entitlement is presented in his work Anarchy, State and Utopia. The theory focuses on justice in acquisition, transfer, and rectification of holdings.

  1. Who became the leading exponent of the Second Generation Frankfurt School?

Answer: JΓΌrgen Habermas

Explanation:
Habermas is one of the most important thinkers associated with Critical Theory and is widely known for his work on communicative action and deliberative democracy.

  1. What is the main argument of Philosophical Anarchism?

Answer: No state possesses legitimate moral authority over individuals.

Explanation:
The session discussed Philosophical Anarchism in connection with thinkers such as Mahatma Gandhi. Questions from anarchist thought often focus on the legitimacy of state authority.

  1. Which of the following is NOT a feature of Individualist Anarchism?

Answer: Organicism

Explanation:
Individualist anarchism emphasises individual freedom and autonomy. Organicism is generally associated with conservative and organic theories of society rather than anarchism.

  1. Who among the following is NOT a supporter of Conservatism?

Answer: T.H. Green

Explanation:
The lecture highlighted that T.H. Green is associated with Liberal thought, whereas Edmund Burke, Michael Oakeshott, and F.A. Hayek are linked with Conservatism.

  1. What is meant by Luck Egalitarianism? 

Answer: The idea that factors arising from luck, including natural abilities and social circumstances, should not determine distributive outcomes.

 

  1. Which thinker is associated with the Pluralist Theory of Democracy?

Answer: Karl Mannheim

Explanation:
Questions connecting thinkers with democratic theories are regularly asked in Unit 1 and remain important for revision.

  1. Power can be an instrument of coercion and can also be based on consent. Is the statement correct?

Answer: Yes, both statements are correct.

Explanation:
The PYQ discussed the dual nature of power, showing that power may operate through coercion as well as through consent.

  1. Which book is associated with L.T. Hobhouse?

Answer: Elements of Social Justice

Explanation:
Book-and-author matching questions remain a recurring pattern in UGC NET Political Science examinations.

  1. Which book is associated with Milton Friedman?

Answer: Capitalism and Freedom

Explanation:
The session emphasised important books and thinkers that are repeatedly asked in matching-type questions.

  1. Who wrote The Authoritarian Personality?

Answer: Theodor W. Adorno

Explanation:
Questions based on major works of Frankfurt School thinkers frequently appear in UGC NET Political Science.

Topics Repeatedly Asked in UGC NET Political Science Unit 1 PYQs

Analysis of previous year questions discussed in the session shows that the following areas are frequently tested:

  • Political Thinkers and Their Works

  • Democracy and Democratic Theories

  • Liberalism, Conservatism, and Socialism

  • Rights, Justice, and Equality

  • Feminist Political Theory

  • Postmodernism and Critical Theory

  • Ecologism and Environmental Thought

  • State, Authority, and Power

Quick Revision Table from Previous Year Questions

Many UGC NET Political Science Unit 1 questions focus on matching thinkers with their concepts, theories, or major works. The following table provides a quick revision of some important thinkers and topics frequently discussed in previous year questions, helping candidates strengthen their last-minute preparation. 

Thinker

Associated Concept/Work

Jacques Derrida

Deconstruction

Robert Nozick

Theory of Entitlement

JΓΌrgen Habermas

Second Generation Frankfurt School

T.H. Green

Liberal Thought

Karl Mannheim

Pluralist Theory of Democracy

L.T. Hobhouse

Elements of Social Justice

Milton Friedman

Capitalism and Freedom

Theodor Adorno

The Authoritarian Personality

How to Prepare UGC NET Political Science Unit 1 PYQs

While practising previous year questions, focus on thinker-concept associations, book-author matching, democratic theories, and ideological concepts. Many Unit 1 questions are conceptual in nature and can be answered quickly if important thinkers, theories, and keywords are revised regularly.

  • Revise important thinkers and their concepts.

  • Practise book-author matching questions.

  • Focus on democracy and political theories.

  • Learn key terms from major ideologies.

  • Analyse recurring PYQ question patterns.

  • Create quick notes for last-minute revision.

 

UGC NET Political Science Unit 1 FAQs

Q1: What is the core idea behind Simone de Beauvoir's statement, "One is not born but rather becomes a woman"?

A1: This statement emphasises that gender is a social construct, not a biological given. It highlights that societal expectations, roles, and repeated acts shape an individual's identity as a woman, rather than innate biological factors.

Q2: Who coined the term "deep ecology", and what does it reject?

A2: The term "deep ecology" was coined by Arne Næss. It rejects anthropocentrism, which is the human-centred view that places human needs and interests above all other forms of life and natural resources.

Q3: What is the main characteristic of Robert Nozick's theory of entitlement?

A3: Nozick's Theory of Entitlement argues for the strict upholding of property rights, provided that wealth was justly acquired or justly transferred. It outlines principles of acquisition, transfer, and rectification for property rights.

Q4: How does postmodernism view truth according to Jean Lyotard?

A4: According to Jean-FranΓ§ois Lyotard, postmodernism views truth as "an incredulity towards metanarratives". This means that truth is fragmented and localised, rejecting grand, universal narratives that claim to provide overarching explanations for everything.

Q5: What are the key distinctions between Liberalism and Communitarianism?

A5: Liberalism focuses on individual freedom and rights, while Communitarianism emphasises community, shared values, and collective responsibilities.
avatar

Get Free Counselling Today

and Clear up all your Doubts

Talk to Our Counsellor just by filling out the form.
Student Name
Phone Number
IN
+91
OTP
Join 15 Million students on the app today!
Point IconLive & recorded classes available at ease
Point IconDashboard for progress tracking
Point IconLakhs of practice questions
Download ButtonDownload Button
Banner Image
Banner Image
Free Learning Resources
Know about Physics Wallah
Physics Wallah is an Indian edtech platform that provides accessible & comprehensive learning experiences to students from Class 6th to postgraduate level. We also provide extensive NCERT solutions, sample paper, NEET, JEE Mains, BITSAT previous year papers & more such resources to students. Physics Wallah also caters to over 3.5 million registered students and over 78 lakh+ Youtube subscribers with 4.8 rating on its app.
We Stand Out because
We provide students with intensive courses with India’s qualified & experienced faculties & mentors. PW strives to make the learning experience comprehensive and accessible for students of all sections of society. We believe in empowering every single student who couldn't dream of a good career in engineering and medical field earlier.
Our Key Focus Areas
Physics Wallah's main focus is to make the learning experience as economical as possible for all students. With our affordable courses like Lakshya, Udaan and Arjuna and many others, we have been able to provide a platform for lakhs of aspirants. From providing Chemistry, Maths, Physics formula to giving e-books of eminent authors like RD Sharma, RS Aggarwal and Lakhmir Singh, PW focuses on every single student's need for preparation.
What Makes Us Different
Physics Wallah strives to develop a comprehensive pedagogical structure for students, where they get a state-of-the-art learning experience with study material and resources. Apart from catering students preparing for JEE Mains and NEET, PW also provides study material for each state board like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and others

Copyright Β© 2026 Physicswallah Limited All rights reserved.