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🇮🇳 UGC NET Political Science · subject

UGC NET Political Science General Paper 1 Syllabus

The General Paper 1 syllabus for UGC NET Political Science in full: 10 chapters, 52 topics and 58 sub-topics, every one listed below, plus 50 General Paper 1 flashcards with answers.

10Chapters
52Topics
58Sub-topics
50Flashcards

General Paper 1 syllabus: all 10 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. Teaching

     4 topics
    • Concept
    • Objectives
    • Levels of teaching (Memory, Understanding and Reflective)
    • Characteristics and basic requirements

  2. Research Aptitude

     6 topics
    • Research
      • Meaning
      • Types
      • Characteristics
      • Positivism and Post-positivistic approach to research
    • Methods of Research
      • Experimental
      • Descriptive
      • Historical
      • Qualitative
      • Quantitative
    • Steps of Research
    • Thesis and Article writing
      • Format and styles of referencing
    • Application of ICT in research
    • Research ethics

  3. Comprehension

     1 topic
    • Reading Comprehension

  4. Communication

     4 topics
    • Communication
      • Meaning
      • Types
      • Characteristics of communication
    • Effective communication
      • Verbal and Non-verbal
      • Inter-Cultural and group communications
      • Classroom communication
    • Barriers to effective communication
    • Mass-Media and Society

  5. Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude

     3 topics
    • Types of reasoning
    • Number series, Letter series, Codes and Relationships
    • Mathematical Aptitude
      • Fraction
      • Time & Distance
      • Ratio
      • Proportion and Percentage
      • Profit and Loss
      • Interest and Discounting
      • Averages etc.

  6. Logical Reasoning

     7 topics
    • Understanding the structure of arguments
      • Argument forms
      • Structure of categorical propositions
      • Mood and Figure
      • Formal and Informal fallacies
      • Uses of language
      • Connotations and denotations of terms
      • Classical square of opposition
    • Evaluating and distinguishing deductive and inductive reasoning
    • Analogies
    • Venn diagram
      • Simple and multiple use for establishing validity of arguments
    • Indian Logic: Means of knowledge
    • Pramanas
      • Pratyaksha (Perception)
      • Anumana (Inference)
      • Upamana (Comparison)
      • Shabda (Verbal testimony)
      • Arthapatti (Implication)
      • Anupalabddhi (Non-apprehension)
    • Structure and kinds of Anumana (inference)
      • Vyapti (invariable relation)
      • Hetvabhasas (fallacies of inference)

  7. Data Interpretation

     4 topics
    • Sources, acquisition and classification of Data
    • Quantitative and Qualitative Data
    • Graphical representation and mapping of Data
      • Bar-chart
      • Histograms
      • Pie-chart
      • Table-chart
      • Line-chart
    • Data and Governance

  8. ICT: General abbreviations and terminology

     3 topics
    • Basics of Internet, Intranet, E-mail, Audio and Video-conferencing
    • Digital initiatives in higher education
    • ICT and Governance

  9. People, Development and Environment

     14 topics
    • Development and environment: Millennium development and Sustainable development goals.
    • Human and environment interaction: Anthropogenic activities and their impacts on environment.
    • Environmental issues
      • Air pollution
      • Water pollution
      • Soil pollution
      • Noise pollution
      • Waste (solid, liquid, biomedical, hazardous, electronic)
      • Climate change and its Socio-Economic and Political dimensions
    • Impacts of pollutants on human health.
    • Natural and energy resources: Solar, Wind, Soil, Hydro, Geothermal, Biomass, Nuclear and Forests.
      • Solar
      • Wind
      • Soil
      • Hydro
      • Geothermal
      • Biomass
      • Nuclear
      • Forests
    • Natural hazards and disasters: Mitigation strategies.
    • Environmental Protection Act (1986)
    • National Action Plan on Climate Change
    • Montreal Protocol
    • Rio Summit
    • Convention on Biodiversity
    • Kyoto Protocol
    • Paris Agreement
    • International Solar Alliance.

  10. Higher Education System

     6 topics
    • Institutions of higher learning and education in ancient India
    • Evolution of higher learning and research in Post Independence India
    • Oriental, Conventional and Non-conventional learning programmes in India
    • Professional, Technical and Skill Based education
    • Value education and environmental education
    • Policies, Governance, and Administration

UGC NET Political Science General Paper 1 flashcards — 50 questions with answers

  1. In the context of teaching, what is the difference between the 'teaching' and 'instruction' concepts?

    Teaching is a broad, interactive process aimed at the all-round development of the learner (cognitive, affective, psychomotor), whereas instruction is a narrower, one-way process focused mainly on imparting information/knowledge.

  2. What are the three levels of teaching according to the Morrison/Bigge classification?

    Memory level (thoughtless, rote learning), Understanding level (insight and generalization), and Reflective level (problem-solving and critical thinking). Reflective is the highest level.

  3. At which level of teaching is Herbart considered the chief proponent, and what is its key feature?

    Memory level of teaching; its key feature is cramming/rote memorization of facts with little understanding.

  4. Which level of teaching, associated with Hunt, requires both memory and understanding levels as a background and is highly thoughtful and problem-centered?

    The Reflective level of teaching.

  5. List four basic requirements/characteristics of effective teaching.

    Clear objectives, mastery of subject matter, good communication skills, and the ability to motivate and adapt to learner needs (plus proper planning and feedback).

  6. What are the main objectives of teaching as per Bloom's three domains?

    Cognitive domain (knowledge/intellectual skills), Affective domain (attitudes/values/emotions), and Psychomotor domain (physical/motor skills).

  7. Define 'research' in the academic sense.

    Research is a systematic, objective and logical process of inquiry to discover new facts, verify existing knowledge, or solve problems through the collection and analysis of data.

  8. What are the four broad types of research based on objective/approach?

    Descriptive vs. Analytical, Applied vs. Fundamental (basic), Quantitative vs. Qualitative, and Conceptual vs. Empirical.

  9. Differentiate fundamental (basic) research from applied research.

    Fundamental research aims to generate new theory/knowledge for its own sake, while applied research aims to solve specific, immediate practical problems.

  10. Name the major methods of research used in social sciences.

    Experimental, Survey, Case study, Historical, Descriptive, Ex-post-facto, and Observation methods.

  11. List the main steps of the research process in order.

    1) Identify/formulate the problem, 2) Review of literature, 3) Formulate hypothesis, 4) Research design, 5) Data collection, 6) Data analysis, 7) Interpretation, 8) Report/thesis writing.

  12. What is a hypothesis in research?

    A hypothesis is a tentative, testable assumption or proposition about the relationship between two or more variables, formulated to be confirmed or refuted by evidence.

  13. What is the key difference between a thesis and a research article?

    A thesis is a long, comprehensive document submitted for a degree presenting original research in full detail; a research article is a short, focused publication of findings in a journal for the academic community.

  14. What does ICT stand for, and give two applications of ICT in research.

    Information and Communication Technology. Applications: online literature search/databases, data analysis software (e.g., SPSS), plagiarism detection, and online surveys.

  15. Define research ethics and name two key ethical principles.

    Research ethics are moral norms guiding research conduct. Key principles: honesty/integrity, informed consent, confidentiality/anonymity, avoidance of plagiarism, and avoidance of fabrication or falsification of data.

  16. What is plagiarism in research?

    Plagiarism is the use of another person's ideas, words, or work as one's own without proper acknowledgement or citation.

  17. What is reading comprehension?

    Reading comprehension is the ability to read a passage and understand, interpret, and derive meaning, inferences, and the central idea from the text.

  18. Define communication and list its essential elements.

    Communication is the process of exchanging information/ideas between sender and receiver. Elements: sender, message, encoding, channel/medium, decoding, receiver, and feedback.

  19. What are the characteristics of effective communication (the 7 Cs)?

    Clear, Concise, Concrete, Correct, Coherent, Complete, and Courteous.

  20. Name the four major types of barriers to effective communication.

    Physical, Psychological (emotional), Semantic (language), and Organizational/Cultural barriers.

Show the other 30 General Paper 1 flashcards

  1. Distinguish verbal from non-verbal communication.

    Verbal communication uses spoken or written words; non-verbal communication conveys meaning through body language, gestures, facial expressions, tone, and posture.

  2. State two key functions of mass media in society.

    Information dissemination, education, entertainment, surveillance, agenda-setting, and shaping public opinion.

  3. What are the two main types of reasoning?

    Deductive reasoning (general to specific) and Inductive reasoning (specific to general).

  4. Distinguish deductive from inductive reasoning with respect to conclusions.

    Deductive reasoning gives logically certain conclusions if premises are true (general→specific); inductive reasoning gives probable conclusions generalized from specific observations (specific→general).

  5. In a number series, identify the next term: 2, 6, 12, 20, 30, ?

    42. (Differences increase by 2: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12; 30+12 = 42.)

  6. In a letter series, what comes next: A, C, F, J, O, ?

    U. (Gaps increase: +2, +3, +4, +5, +6; O→U.)

  7. What is the basic concept of a 'code' in coding-decoding reasoning?

    A code substitutes letters/numbers/symbols for the original letters of a word using a fixed pattern (such as shifting positions), which must be identified to decode.

  8. What is the structure of an argument in logic?

    An argument consists of premises (statements offering support/evidence) and a conclusion (the claim being supported). The link is the inference from premises to conclusion.

  9. What is an analogy in reasoning?

    An analogy is a comparison identifying a similar relationship between two pairs of items, e.g., 'Doctor : Hospital :: Teacher : School.'

  10. What is a Venn diagram used for in logical reasoning?

    A Venn diagram uses overlapping circles to represent logical relationships, class inclusion/exclusion, and intersections among sets or categories.

  11. In Indian logic, what is a 'Pramana'?

    A Pramana is a valid means or source of knowledge (valid cognition) by which true knowledge is acquired.

  12. Name the four Pramanas accepted in the Nyaya school of Indian logic.

    Pratyaksha (perception), Anumana (inference), Upamana (comparison/analogy), and Shabda (verbal/authoritative testimony).

  13. What is 'Anumana' in Indian logic?

    Anumana is inference — knowledge of an object derived through a sign/mark (linga) based on its invariable concomitance (vyapti), e.g., inferring fire from smoke.

  14. What are the two kinds (classifications) of Anumana?

    Svartha (inference for oneself) and Parartha (inference for others, stated formally); also classified as Purvavat, Sheshavat, and Samanyatodrishta.

  15. What are the parts of the Nyaya syllogism (structure of Parartha Anumana)?

    Five members: Pratijna (proposition), Hetu (reason), Udaharana (example), Upanaya (application), and Nigamana (conclusion).

  16. Distinguish primary data from secondary data.

    Primary data is collected first-hand by the researcher for the specific study; secondary data is pre-existing data collected earlier by others for other purposes.

  17. Distinguish quantitative data from qualitative data.

    Quantitative data is numerical and measurable (counts, measurements); qualitative data is descriptive, non-numerical, capturing qualities, attributes, or categories.

  18. Name three common methods of graphical representation of data.

    Bar graph, Histogram, Pie chart, Line graph, and Frequency polygon/ogive.

  19. What is meant by 'Data and Governance' (data-driven governance)?

    It refers to using data collection and analysis to inform policy-making, improve public service delivery, ensure transparency, and enable evidence-based decision-making in governance.

  20. Differentiate the Internet from an Intranet.

    The Internet is a global, public network connecting computers worldwide; an Intranet is a private, restricted network within an organization using internet technologies.

  21. What is video-conferencing?

    Video-conferencing is real-time, two-way audio and visual communication between people at different locations using telecommunication/internet technology.

  22. Name two major digital initiatives in Indian higher education.

    SWAYAM, NPTEL, e-PG Pathshala, SWAYAM PRABHA, National Digital Library (NDL), and Shodhganga.

  23. What is the difference between the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

    MDGs (2000–2015) had 8 goals focused on developing nations; SDGs (2015–2030) have 17 goals that are universal, broader, and integrate economic, social, and environmental dimensions.

  24. How many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are there and what is their target year?

    17 SDGs (with 169 targets), to be achieved by 2030.

  25. What are 'anthropogenic activities' and their environmental impact?

    Anthropogenic activities are human-caused actions (deforestation, industrialization, fossil-fuel burning) that cause environmental impacts like pollution, global warming, and biodiversity loss.

  26. Name two pollutants and their impact on human health.

    Particulate matter/SO2 cause respiratory diseases; Lead causes neurological damage; Carbon monoxide reduces oxygen transport; Arsenic/fluoride in water cause poisoning.

  27. Which renewable natural energy resources are derived from the sun, wind, and Earth's internal heat respectively?

    Solar energy (sun), Wind energy (wind), and Geothermal energy (Earth's internal heat). Other renewables include hydro, biomass, and tidal.

  28. What is the difference between a natural hazard and a disaster, and name a mitigation strategy?

    A hazard is a potentially damaging natural event; a disaster is a hazard that causes serious loss/disruption. Mitigation: early warning systems, building codes, afforestation, and disaster preparedness/awareness.

  29. Match these environmental agreements to their focus: Montreal Protocol, Kyoto Protocol, Paris Agreement, Convention on Biodiversity.

    Montreal Protocol (1987) — phasing out ozone-depleting substances; Kyoto Protocol (1997) — binding GHG emission cuts for developed nations; Paris Agreement (2015) — limit global warming below 2°C (aim 1.5°C); CBD (Rio 1992) — conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.

  30. What was the Environmental Protection Act of India enacted in 1986, and what triggered it?

    An umbrella act empowering the central government to protect and improve environmental quality and control pollution; it was enacted in the aftermath of the 1984 Bhopal Gas Tragedy. The International Solar Alliance (launched 2015 at Paris/Rio context) promotes solar energy among sun-rich nations.

Same General Paper 1 syllabus in other exams

The General Paper 1 outline above is identical in these 8 exams:

UGC NET Political Science General Paper 1 FAQ

What is in the UGC NET Political Science General Paper 1 syllabus?

UGC NET Political Science General Paper 1 is split into 10 chapters: Teaching, Research Aptitude, Comprehension, Communication, Mathematical Reasoning and Aptitude, Logical Reasoning, Data Interpretation, ICT: General abbreviations and terminology, People, Development and Environment and Higher Education System. Together they contain 52 topics and 58 sub-topics.

How many chapters are in UGC NET Political Science General Paper 1?

10 chapters, containing 52 topics and 58 sub-topics. The largest chapter is People, Development and Environment, with 14 topics.

Are there flashcards for UGC NET Political Science General Paper 1?

Yes — a 50-card General Paper 1 deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.