IGNOU MPS-101 Assignment 2026-27New
Political Theory: Key Concepts
Last updated by IGNOU: 05 Nov 2026. Guide written from the official PDF on 06 Nov 2026, 04:23 pm.
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Make the MPS-101 assignment front page →| Course code | MPS-101 |
|---|---|
| Course title | Political Theory: Key Concepts |
| Programme | Master’s Degree Programme in Political Science (MPS)MAPS |
| School | School of Social Sciences |
| Assignment code | ASST/TMA/2026-27 |
| Session | July 2026 and January 2027 |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Weightage | 30% |
| Last date (June exam) | 31 Mar 2027 |
| Last date (December exam) | 30 Sept 2027 |
| Medium | English, Hindi |
About the MPS-101 assignment
The MPS-101 assignment covers major concepts in political theory, including the state, sovereignty, power, authority, legitimacy, democracy and representation. It also explores citizenship, the rule of law, justice, equality, dignity and tolerance.
This tutor-marked assignment has ten questions across two sections. Answer five questions, choosing at least two from each section. Each question carries 20 marks and normally requires about 500 words. The short-note questions require about 250 words for each of their two parts. The assignment totals 100 marks and has a 30% weightage.
What the assignment asks
| Question | Marks | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 | 20 | Examine the nine characteristics of the state discussed in political theory. |
| Q2 | 20 | Trace how the idea of sovereignty has developed over time. |
| Q3 | 20 | Compare power and authority and examine how they interact in society. |
| Q4 | 20 | Assess Rawls’s distinction between legitimacy and justice, including whether unjust regimes can be legitimate. |
| Q5 | 20 | Write two short notes covering democracy and Pitkin’s understanding of representation. |
| Q6 | 20 | Compare liberal and communitarian understandings of citizenship. |
| Q7 | 20 | Explain the rule of law and discuss its English conception. |
| Q8 | 20 | Explain the meaning of justice using your own understanding of the concept. |
| Q9 | 20 | Examine how feminist, multicultural and relational perspectives have broadened the concept of equality. |
| Q10 | 20 | Write two short notes covering dignity and self-respect, and tolerance as a political virtue. |
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
- Answer five questions, selecting at least two from each section.
- Write about 500 words for each full-length answer and about 250 words for each part of a short-note question.
- Use your own words when writing answers.
- Read the assignment instructions in the Programme Guide before starting.
- Submit all required assignments within the prescribed time to be eligible for the term-end examination.
- Submit your completed assignment to the Coordinator of your allotted Study Centre.
- Obtain and retain a submission receipt; keep a photocopy of your assignment if possible.
- Ask the Study Centre to return your assignment after evaluation.
Submission dates: 31 March 2027 (June term-end exam; July 2026 session); 30 September 2027 (December term-end exam; January 2027 session).
Frequently asked questions
How many questions must I answer in the MPS-101 assignment?
Answer five questions out of ten, including at least two from each of the two sections.
What is the word limit for MPS-101 assignment answers?
Each full-length answer should be about 500 words. For Questions 5 and 10, write about 250 words for each short note.
What are the maximum marks and weightage for MPS-101?
The assignment is worth 100 marks, with 20 marks for each question answered. The official listing gives it a 30% weightage.
What are the MPS-101 assignment submission deadlines?
The official listing gives 31 March 2027 for the June term-end exam and 30 September 2027 for the December term-end exam. The PDF associates these dates with the July 2026 and January 2027 sessions respectively.
Where should I submit the MPS-101 assignment?
Submit it to the Coordinator of your allotted Study Centre. Obtain a receipt and retain it.
Which sessions and language options are listed for this assignment?
The assignment covers the July 2026 and January 2027 sessions. The official listing offers English and Hindi versions.
Other IGNOU MAPS assignments
- MPS-102: Indian Political System: Constitutional Framework and Institutions
- MPS-104: Comparative Politics
- MPS-105: Western Political Thought (From Plato to Marx)
- MPS-106: Political Theory: Contemporary Debates
- MPS-107: Indian Political System: Processes and Dynamics
- MPS-109: Comparative Politics: Issues and Debates
- MPSE-003: Western Political Thought (From Plato to Marx)
- MPSE-004: Social and Political Thought in Modern India
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.