IGNOU BPSM-161 Assignment 2026-27New
Introduction to Political Theory
Last updated by IGNOU: 06 Nov 2026. Guide written from the official PDF on 07 Nov 2026, 08:56 pm.
December 2026 term-end exam
Tue, 22 Dec 2026 · Morning (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM)
From IGNOU's official date sheet dated 30 Oct 2026. IGNOU can still revise it: check your hall ticket for the final date and your exam centre.
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Make the BPSM-161 assignment front page →| Course code | BPSM-161 |
|---|---|
| Course title | Introduction to Political Theory |
| Programme | Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) [BAFPS] and Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Political Science [BAPSH]BAPSH, BAFPS |
| School | School of Social Sciences |
| Assignment code | BPSC-161/ASST/TMA/2026-27 |
| Session | July 2026 and January 2027 |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Weightage | 30% |
| Last date (June exam) | 31 Mar 2026 |
| Last date (December exam) | 30 Sept 2026 |
| Medium | English, English/Hindi, Hindi |
| Term-end exam (December 2026) | Tue, 22 Dec 2026, Morning (10:00 AM – 1:00 PM) |
About the BPSM-161 assignment
The BPSM-161 assignment covers political theory, including the state, legitimation, liberty, equality, rights, justice and democracy. It also asks about family, discrimination and economic growth.
There are 10 compulsory questions across three tutor-marked assignments, worth 100 marks in total. Assignment I has two 20-mark questions of about 500 words each; Assignment II has three 10-mark questions of about 250 words each; and Assignment III has five 6-mark questions of about 100 words each.
What the assignment asks
| Question | Marks | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 20 | Examine Miliband’s ideas on the state and Weber’s ideas on legitimation. |
| Q2 | 20 | Take and justify a position on whether political theory has ended. |
| Q3 | 10 | Discuss Isaiah Berlin’s two concepts of liberty. |
| Q4 | 10 | Explain the different types of equality. |
| Q5 | 10 | Write a short note on the debate about rights. |
| Q6 | 6 | Write a short answer on justice. |
| Q7 | 6 | Write a short answer on democracy. |
| Q8 | 6 | Write a short answer on family. |
| Q9 | 6 | Write a short answer on discrimination. |
| Q10 | 6 | Write a short answer on economic growth. |
This is a summary of each question. Download the official PDF above for the exact questions and word limits.
How to write and submit it
- Read the assignment instructions in the Programme Guide before starting.
- Answer every question in each section in your own words.
- Keep answers close to the approximate word limit for each assignment.
- Include an introduction and conclusion in the descriptive answers for Assignment I.
- Submit all assignments on time to the coordinator of your allotted study centre.
- Obtain and retain a receipt from the study centre, and keep a photocopy of your assignments.
- Ask the study centre to return your assignments after evaluation.
Submission dates: 31 March 2027 (June 2027 term-end exam); 30 September 2027 (December 2027 term-end exam). Dates can differ by session.
Frequently asked questions
What is the assignment code for BPSM-161?
The PDF prints the assignment code as BPSC-161/ASST/TMA/2026-27, although the course heading is BPSM-161.
How many questions are in the BPSM-161 assignment?
There are 10 compulsory questions across three tutor-marked assignments.
What are the marks and weightage for BPSM-161?
The assignments total 100 marks and carry 30% weightage in the course result.
What are the word limits for the three assignments?
The approximate limits are 500 words per answer in Assignment I, 250 in Assignment II and 100 in Assignment III.
Where should I submit the BPSM-161 assignments?
Submit them to the coordinator of your allotted study centre and retain the receipt.
What are the submission deadlines?
The listing gives 31 March 2027 for the June 2027 term-end exam and 30 September 2027 for the December 2027 term-end exam. Dates can differ by session.
Other IGNOU BAPSH assignments
- BPSC-101: Understanding Political Theory
- BPSC-102: Constitutional Government and Democracy in India
- BPSC-103: Political Theory-Concepts and Debates
- BPSC-104: Political Process in India
- BPSC-105: Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics
- BPSC-109: Political Processes and Institutions in Comparative Perspective
- BPSC-132: Indian Government and Politics
- BPSE-141: Gandhi and Contemporary World
- BPSE-143: State Politics in India
- BPSE-145: Democracy and Development in Northeast India
- BPSE-146: Conflict Resolution and Peace Building
- BPSM-162: Indian Government and Politics
Assignment details and PDFs come from IGNOU's official website; the guide is a summary of the official PDF. Always check the latest instructions and last dates on ignou.ac.in or with your Regional Centre before submitting.