Tamil Nadu HSE First Year Political Science study plan

Define state and list its four elements, giving one Tamil Nadu–relevant illustration for each element

Compare the social contract, force, divine right and evolutionary theories of state origin, stating the strongest criticism of each

Distinguish political science from political theory, political philosophy and public administration in a written paragraph

Explain the scope of political science using the traditional and modern (behavioural) views with two examples each

List the functions of the state and classify them as essential and optional

Tabulate democracy, dictatorship, unitary and federal forms of government against five criteria: source of power, separation of powers, constitution, rights protection and local autonomy

Define sovereignty and differentiate legal, political, popular and de facto sovereignty with one example each

Explain Austin's command theory of law and contrast it with the historical and sociological schools

Identify two merits and two demerits of each form of government studied

Match at least ten real-world countries to their form of government as practice

Describe the composition, powers and privileges of the legislature, executive and judiciary in a parliamentary system

Explain the meaning of constitution and distinguish written from unwritten, rigid from flexible, and unitary from federal constitutions

Outline the making of the Indian Constitution: Constituent Assembly, objectives resolution, drafting committee and adoption dates

Compare the parliamentary and presidential systems on executive accountability and separation of powers

Explain judicial review and its role in checking the legislature and executive

Classify the Fundamental Rights under Part III into the six categories, naming the relevant articles

Explain each Fundamental Duty under Article 51A and link at least three to everyday civic behaviour

State the Directive Principles under Part IV and distinguish them from Fundamental Rights in justiciability

Analyse two Supreme Court cases that expanded the meaning of the right to life

Describe the constitutional scheme of Centre–State relations across legislative, administrative and financial spheres, including the role of the Finance Commission

Explain the mechanisms for resolving Centre–State disputes and the recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission

Explain the election process in India, including the role of the Election Commission, Model Code of Conduct and electoral reforms

Distinguish national, state and regional parties and explain the recognition criteria for each

Define pressure groups and distinguish them from political parties with three Indian examples

Explain how public opinion is formed and measured, and evaluate the influence of propaganda

Assess the role of mass media, including social media, in shaping political opinion in India

Explain the nature of international relations and distinguish idealism from realism

Describe the structure, organs and functions of the United Nations, including the Security Council and General Assembly

Evaluate the role of specialised agencies such as UNESCO, WHO and UNICEF with one example each

Assess India's contribution to UN peacekeeping and its claim to a permanent Security Council seat

Revisit the scope of political science and connect it to international relations as a sub-field

Answer ten previous-style short questions on state, forms of government, organs of government and the Constitution under timed conditions

Correct every error in the week 7 answers and record the underlying concept gap

Write three structured long answers using a definition–explanation–example–conclusion format

Recheck the comparison matrix from week 2 and update it with any new distinctions learned

Answer fifteen mixed short questions across the remaining domains under exam time limits

Recite the article numbers for Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties and Directive Principles from memory

Revise all eight deliverables and summarise each domain in five bullet points

Take one full-length mock test and review every wrong answer against the source text