The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducted the Class 12 political science (subject code 028) examination today, on March 22, 2025. Students were given a total duration of three hours, with the exam commencing at 10:30 am and concluding at 1:30 pm. The political science theory paper had a maximum score of 80 marks. According to expert analyses, the paper was moderately difficult, aligning closely with the prescribed syllabus and the latest CBSE sample papers.
The paper featured a balanced mix of direct, competency-based, and analytical questions. According to experts, the overall difficulty level of the paper was moderate, with most students finding it manageable and well-structured.
What subject experts said about exam pattern and overall difficulty
According to Sapna Goswami, PGT political science at Silverline Prestige School, Ghaziabad, the paper provided internal choices while maintaining a mix of competency-based and standard questions. The multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and competency-based questions were of average difficulty, designed to test students’ conceptual clarity and application skills. “Students completed the paper within the allotted time and expressed satisfaction with the level of difficulty. All sets were reportedly easy,” she remarked, indicating that the examination was accessible to students with thorough preparation.
Vishwajeet Pandey, PGT political science at JAIN International Residential School (JIRS), Bengaluru, further emphasized that the exam was well-balanced, catering to a wide range of students. “The CBSE Board Question Paper for political science, held on 22nd March 2025, was a well-balanced paper that catered to a wide range of students. The difficulty level of the paper was moderate, striking a good balance between easy and standard questions” he said. Adding “It reflected an appropriate understanding of the syllabus and was largely based on the NCERT textbooks, which ensured its relevance and alignment with the prescribed curriculum.”
Shivani Singh, an educator from Shiv Nadar School, Noida noted that the political science paper was scoring. She said, “The paper was designed with average-performing students in mind, offering a balanced structure. While most questions were straightforward, a few subjective ones required deeper analysis.”
CBSE Class 12 political science paper: Section-wise analysis
One of the standout aspects of the paper was the objective section, which featured multiple-choice and map-based questions. While the MCQs were relatively straightforward for most students, some found them challenging due to the emphasis on minute details. The map-based questions required precise recall of textbook information, adding a layer of complexity for those who had not revised thoroughly.
The subjective section, on the other hand, was structured to assess students’ analytical and critical thinking abilities. Most of the 4-mark questions were direct, though they required well-organized responses and careful analysis. These questions allowed students to demonstrate their understanding of key topics in a structured manner. “The 4-mark questions, while appearing simple on the surface, required careful analysis and a structured approach in answering. These questions provided an opportunity to demonstrate critical thinking and a deep understanding of the topics,” noted Pandey.
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According to Shashi Singh, PGT political science, Global Indian International School, Noida, the paper was of moderate level and was based on the prescribed NCERT syllabus. They said, “Section A, consisting of multiple-choice questions, was easy, while Section B, which included short-answer questions, was direct and scoring. Passage-based questions were also simple. However, the long-answer questions were as per expected lines but little lengthy.”
Long-answer questions emphasised on key concepts
The 6-mark questions were designed to be approachable, covering essential topics from the syllabus. As they were primarily derived from NCERT textbooks, students with a strong conceptual foundation found them relatively easy to answer. The questions were crafted to encourage detailed explanations, while ensuring that students did not feel overwhelmed by the word limit. “The 6-mark questions were generally easy to approach. They focused on topics that are central to the political science syllabus and were derived directly from the NCERT textbooks. There was an adequate emphasis on key concepts, making it relatively easier for students who had a clear conceptual understanding of the subject matter,” he added.
Ahana Kumar, a student of Shiv Nadar School Noida, who appeared for the exam said that the 6 markers were good, and MCQs were not confusing and were straightforward.