UGC NET Political Science 2026 is a national exam conducted by the National Testing Agency (NTA) for candidates aiming for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) or Assistant Professor roles. The UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2026 covers Political Theory, Indian Politics, Comparative Politics, Public Administration, and International Relations, testing both depth and breadth of knowledge.
Whether your goal is academic research or teaching, UGC NET Political Science 2026 serves as a key stepping stone. Access the full exam pattern, syllabus breakdown, and expert preparation tips to boost success in the UGC NET Political Science 2026 cycle.
Also Read: UGC NET Application Form 2026
UGC NET Political Science 2026 Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible to apply for the UGC NET Political Science 2026, the candidates must fulfill the following UGC NET eligibility criteria:
| Criteria | Details |
| Master’s Degree | A Master of Political Science or equivalent degree from a UGC-recognized university is mandatory. |
| Minimum Marks in Master’s Degree | General/Unreserved/EWS- Minimum 55% aggregate marks |
| OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/Transgender- Minimum 50% aggregate marks | |
| Final Year Students | Must complete a Master’s degree with requisite marks within 2 years of NET result declaration. |
| Age Limit | JRF- Maximum 30 years |
| Assistant Professor- No upper age limit. | |
| Age Relaxation | OBC-NCL/SC/ST/PwD/Transgender/Female- Up to 5 years relaxation (maximum age for JRF: 35 years). |
Also Read: UGC NET Eligibility 2026
UGC NET Political Science Exam Pattern 2026
The UGC NET Political Science 2026 exam is held in two papers – both are objective (MCQ type) and conducted in a single sitting of 3 hours. The UG CNET Political Science exam pattern is as follows:
| Paper | Total Questions | Total Marks | Duration | Mode | |
| Paper 1(General Paper) | 50 | 100 | 3 Hours (Combined) | Online (CBT) | |
| Paper 2 (Political Science) | 100 | 200 | |||
Also Read: UGC NET Exam Pattern 2026
UGC NET Political Science 2026 Marking Scheme
It is important for the candidates to have a complete knowledge of the UGC NET marking scheme before starting their preparation, as it will help them know how to actually prepare for the UGC NET Political Science 2026. The marking scheme is as follows:
| Paper | Subject | Questions | Marks | Marks per Question | Negative Marking |
| Paper 1 | General (Teaching/Research Aptitude) | 50 | 100 | 2 marks each | No |
| Paper 2 | Political Science (Subject-specific) | 100 | 200 | 2 marks each | No |
Also Read: UGC NET Exam 2026
UGC NET Political Science 2026 Minimum Qualifying Marks
To be eligible for the award of JRF or Assistant Professorship in UGC NET Political Science 2026, the candidates should obtain the following minimum qualifying marks (aggregate for both papers):
| Category | Minimum Qualifying Marks |
| General / UR | 40% |
| OBC (Non-Creamy Layer), SC, ST, PwD, Transgender | 35% |
Also Read: UGC NET Notification 2026
UGC NET Political Science 2026 Syllabus
Having a familiarity with the UGC NET Political Science 2026 syllabus for Paper 1 and Paper 2 is crucial to strategically preparing and securing good marks in the upcoming examination. UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2026 Paper 1 and Paper 2 are carefully designed to evaluate a candidate’s conceptual clarity, critical thinking, and analytical skills in core areas of the subject.
UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2026 Unit-wise
The UGC NET syllabus 2026 covers a broad range of themes in political theory, public administration, governance, and international relations. Below is an overview of the major units covered in the UGC NET Political Science 2026 paper:
Also Read: UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2026
| Units | Key Areas |
| Political Theory | Concepts like liberty, equality, justice, rights, democracy, and ideologies (liberalism, Marxism, feminism, etc.) |
| Political Thought | Western thinkers (Plato to Marx), Indian political thought (Kautilya, Ambedkar, Gandhi, etc.) |
| Indian Government and Politics | Constitution, federalism, judiciary, political parties, elections, and reforms |
| Comparative Politics | Approaches, political systems (USA, UK, China), and institutions |
| International Relations | Theories, foreign policy, international organizations (UN, WTO), and global issues |
| Political Institutions in India | Parliament, President, Prime Minister, governance, bureaucracy, decentralization |
| Public Administration | Principles, theories, budgeting, governance, accountability |
| Political Processes in India | Caste, religion, ethnicity, regionalism, civil society, and movements |
| India’s Foreign Policy | Relations with neighbors, strategic concerns, and contemporary issues |
| Research Methods in Political Science | Hypothesis, variables, sampling, qualitative & quantitative methods |
Download UGC NET Full Official Syllabus PDF
UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2026 PDF Download (Hindi & English)
UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2026 is a must-have for candidates appearing for the June 2026 exam. We have provided the UGC NET Political Science Syllabus in Hindi PDF and English PDF so that all candidates can benefit from it. You can download the official UGC NET Political Science Syllabus in Hindi PDF as well as the English PDF from the links:
| Language | Download Link |
| English | Download UGC NET Political Science Syllabus 2026 (English) |
| हिंदी (Hindi) | डाउनलोड करें: यूजीसी नेट राजनीति विज्ञान सिलेबस 2026 (हिंदी) |
UGC NET Political Science Previous Year Question Papers
UGC NET Political Science Previous Year Question Papers are an essential material to complement the UGC NET Political Science books and UGC NET Political Science notes. The UGC NET Political Science question papers offer essential information on the pattern of the exam, the recurring subjects, and the level of difficulty year after year. The UGC NET Political Science Previous Year Question Papers PDFs are provided below:
| Exam Name | Year | Download PDF |
| UGC NET Political Science (December) | 2025 | Available Soon |
| UGC NET Political Science (June) | 2025 | Download PDF |
| UGC NET Political Science (June) | 2024 | Download PDF |
| 2024 | Download PDF | |
| UGC NET Political Science | 2023 | Download Link |
| 2023 | Download Link | |
| UGC NET Political Science | 2022 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Political Science | 2021 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Political Science | 2020 | Download Link |
| UGC NET Political Science | 2018 | Download Link |
| 2018 | Download Link |
Also Read: UGC NET Previous Year Question Papers for Paper 1 & 2
Career Scope After UGC NET Political Science 2026
Political Science unlocks a wide array of career avenues, particularly for UGC NET passers. Below are mentioned some of the possible career scopes after passing the UGC NET Political Science paper:
Assistant Professor in Colleges/Universities
You can apply for the position of Assistant Professor in Indian colleges, central universities, IITs, and research institutes.
Junior Research Fellowship (JRF)
JRF qualification opens doors to funded research in Political Science. You may apply for MPhil/PhD in best institutions with fellowship and associate with state-of-the-art research in political theory, public policy, governance, or international relations.
Think Tanks & Research Organizations
Organizations such as ORF, PRS Legislative Research, IDSA, CPR, and ICSSR employ political science researchers to prepare reports, public policy briefs, and impact analysis.
Civil Services & State Services
Political Science is one of the most popular optional subjects for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. The conceptual clarity acquired through NET preparation also proves beneficial for state PSCs and other competitive examinations.
International Organizations & NGOs
Political Science graduates are able to work with international NGOs, UN organizations, and development organizations in fields such as international development, human rights, diplomacy, and conflict resolution.
Policy Analyst / Political Advisor
Having the knowledge of public administration, governance, and election politics, you can be employed as a policy advisor or analyst to government departments, election campaigns, or interest groups.
Content Developer / Subject Expert
You may work as an online education platform content expert, UPSC/ NET coaching centers, or publishing houses dealing with academic content.
Media & Journalism
With good analytical and communication skills, political science scholars can become political journalists, columnists, or news analysts in print and online media.
Also Read: Career Options After UGC NET Exam 2026
Conclusion
UGC NET Political Science 2026 is not merely an eligibility test—it is a passport to a research-oriented academic future. With a well-framed syllabus encompassing essential political ideas, governance systems, and world politics, it is an excellent opportunity for aspirants to pursue careers in academia, policymaking, or civil society. With strategic preparation, constant practice, and proper resources such as UGC NET Political Science books and UGC NET Political Science notes, clearing the exam is absolutely achievable with consistent effort and smart planning. Stay informed, stay steady, and follow your dedication to Political Science to success.
UGC NET Political Science 2026 FAQs
Is there an age restriction to apply for UGC NET Political Science 2025?
For JRF, there is an upper age of 30 years (with relaxations); for Assistant Professorship, there is no age restriction.
What more can be used along with the UGC NET Political Science question papers?
You can use UGC NET Political Science books as well as the UGC NET Political Science notes (by JRFAdda) to complement these previous year question papers.
Where can I download the UGC NET Political Science Syllabus in Hindi PDF?
You can download the syllabus PDF in both English and Hindi from the UGC NET’s official website or from the link provided above.
Can final-year postgraduates appear for the UGC NET Political Science 2025 exam?
Yes, final-year students may apply, but they need to meet the minimum eligibility within two years of the declaration of results.
