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Political Science 317 at a glance
| Item | What NIOS lists |
|---|---|
| Level | Senior Secondary (Class 12) |
| Subject group | Group D |
| Practical | No |
| Lessons | 32 you study: 28 core lessons plus one optional module (7A or 7B) |
| TMA / public exam lessons | 10 / 22 |
| Exam paper | One 3-hour theory paper of 100 marks |
| Study material mediums | English, Hindi, Urdu, Odia, Gujarati and Bengali |
| Exam fee | ₹300 |
Political Science 317 has no practical, so the exam fee is ₹300. The theory paper is 3 hours for 100 marks.
Which lessons are for the TMA and which for the exam
NIOS splits the course roughly 40:60. The TMA (your Tutor Marked Assignment) covers 10 lessons and the public exam covers 22.
| Lesson | Assessed in |
|---|---|
| Module 1. Individual and the state | |
| 1. Meaning and Scope of Political Science | TMA |
| 2. Nation and State | TMA |
| 3. Distinction between Society, Nation, State and Government | Public exam |
| 4. Major Political Theories | Public exam |
| Module 2. Aspects of the Constitution of India | |
| 5. Preamble and the Salient Features of the Constitution of India | TMA |
| 6. Fundamental Rights | Public exam |
| 7. Directive Principles of State Policy and Fundamental Duties | Public exam |
| 8. Indian Federal System | Public exam |
| 9. Emergency Provisions | Public exam |
| Module 3. Structure of government | |
| 10. Union Executive | Public exam |
| 11. Parliament of India | Public exam |
| 12. Supreme Court of India | Public exam |
| 13. Executive in the States | TMA |
| 14. State Legislature | TMA |
| 15. High Courts and Subordinate Courts | Public exam |
| 16. Local Government: Urban and Rural | Public exam |
| Module 4. Democracy at work | |
| 17. Universal Adult Franchise and the Methods of Representation | TMA |
| 18. Electoral System in India | Public exam |
| 19. National Political Parties | Public exam |
| 20. Regionalism and Regional Parties | Public exam |
| 21. Public Opinion and Pressure Groups | Public exam |
| Module 5. Major contemporary issues | |
| 22. Communalism, Caste and Reservations | TMA |
| 23. Environmental Awareness | Public exam |
| 24. Good Governance | Public exam |
| 25. Human Rights | Public exam |
| Module 6. India and the world | |
| 26. India’s Foreign Policy | Public exam |
| 27. India’s Relations with the USA and Russia | TMA |
| 28. India and Its Neighbours: China, Pakistan and Sri Lanka | Public exam |
| Module 7A. World order and the United Nations (option) | |
| 29. Contemporary World Order | TMA |
| 30. The United Nations | Public exam |
| 31. United Nations Peace Activities | Public exam |
| 32. United Nations and Economic and Social Development | TMA |
| Module 7B. Administrative system in India (option) | |
| 33. Public Service Commissions | Public exam |
| 34. Administrative Machinery at the Centre, State and District Levels | TMA |
| 35. Political Executive and Bureaucracy | Public exam |
| 36. Public Grievances and Redressal Machinery | TMA |
You study only one optional module. With 7A, Lessons 29 and 32 go to the TMA and 30 and 31 to the exam. With 7B, Lessons 34 and 36 go to the TMA and 33 and 35 to the exam. Either way the split is 10 TMA lessons and 22 exam lessons.
Sources: NIOS course page for Political Science (317); NIOS syllabus bifurcation (Senior Secondary); NIOS Academic Prospectus 2026-27 (Tables 1, 1A and 9). NIOS can change the split between sessions; we confirm the current one when you join.
We’ll check eligibility, pick your subjects and file your form.
WhatsApp +91 96370 79675How to approach Political Science 317
Modules 2 and 3 (the Constitution and the structure of government) carry the largest run of exam lessons: 6–12, 15 and 16. Learn the facts there accurately: articles, terms and who appoints whom. The later modules on elections, parties and contemporary issues are easier to read but still need written practice. Choose 7A or 7B before you start the TMA.
Combining Political Science 317 with other subjects
It is in Group D, which allows only one subject, because NIOS holds the exams of a group at the same time. Group D is Chemistry 313, Political Science 317, Mass Communication 335 and Military Studies 374, so you can take only one of these. Transfer of Credit may apply if you passed it elsewhere in 2022 or later. Related: History 315, Sociology 331, Psychology 328. To test a full combination, use our subject and fee checker.
What SWOT does for Political Science 317
We guide the Political Science 317 TMA, check your drafts before they go in, and teach the exam lessons in classroom batches at our Pune centre or through home tuition. The TMA is your own work: we explain the questions and check your draft, but we don’t hand out solved TMAs.
Premium package (TMA and practical guidance) ₹11,000. Classroom coaching at our Pune centre ₹12,500 per subject per year. Home tuition in Pune ₹750 per hour. NIOS fees are paid to NIOS.
Questions about Political Science 317
Can I take Political Science 317 with Chemistry 313?
No. Both are in Group D, and NIOS allows only one Group D subject. Their exams are held at the same time.
Which optional module is in the Political Science exam?
The one you choose. With 7A (World Order and the United Nations), Lessons 30 and 31 are exam lessons. With 7B (Administrative System in India), Lessons 33 and 35 are.
Is Political Science 317 material available in Bengali?
Yes. NIOS lists 317 material in English, Hindi, Urdu, Odia, Gujarati and Bengali. There is no Marathi material at Class 12.
Admission: NIOS in Maharashtra · all subjects
Need help with Political Science 317?
Tell us your session and medium. We’ll tell you which lessons to start with and how we can help with the TMA.
We’ll check eligibility, pick your subjects and file your form. WhatsApp +91 96370 79675
SWOT Academy, G-10 Ashoka Mall, Bund Garden Road, Sangamvadi, Pune 411001. Independent private coaching: we are not the NIOS board, not an NIOS Regional Centre and not an NIOS study centre. Admission is granted by NIOS on its official portal; NIOS fees are paid to NIOS.