BACHELOR OF ARTS IN POLITICAL SCIENCE
Degree Course Type
Bachelors
Entry Level Qualification
Class 10+2
Degree Course Duration
3 Year
Degree Course Entrance Exam
CUET UG
Average Course Fee
5000 - 80000
Average Salary Offered
200000 - 600000
Course Details
Check the types of BA Political Science course below. This includes full-time, part-time, and distance learning.
Full-time BA Political Science
1. Full-time BA Political Science course requires the students to attend the complete academic year in regular full-time class.
2. The delivery of the BA Political Science course will be in offline mode and there will be a fixed schedule for each activity, whether the activity is related to classes or the exams.
3. Students must maintain a certain percentage of attendance as set by the college/university.
4. The duration of the full-time BA Political Science degree is three years.
5. Admission to the full-time BA Political Science program is based on both merit and entrance-based examination.
6. Placements are provided in the full-time BA Political Science course for all the students.
Part-Time BA Political Science
1. Part-time BA Political Science course requires students to attend the entire course in evening or weekend classes.
2. The duration of the BA Political Science part-time program is from three to four years.
3. The part-time course of BA Political Science has 2 or 3 fixed classes in a week mostly on weekends and depending on the college.
4. Admission to the part-time BA Political Science course is based on merit in qualifying examination plus the past or present work experience.
5. The fee for a part-time BA Political Science program is lower than the regular course.
6. The students might not get the placement facility; it depends upon the university or college.
7. Delivery of the BA Political Science program will be offline or online. It depends upon the university and the schedule of the students.
Distance BA Political Science
1. Distance BA Political Science course requires the students to attend the classes without the actual appearance of the students.
2. Delivery of the Distance BA Political Science program will be online. Also, all the study materials will be sent by the university through post or soft copy online.
3. The college doesn’t have a strict and tight schedule for the online submission of all the assignments, exam dates, and selection of the venue.
4. The duration of the BA Political Science full-time program is up to three years or more. It depends on the university where the students are opting for BA Political Science course.
5. The fees for a Distance BA Political Science program start from Rs 10,000 and reach up to 50,000.
6. Admission of the candidates will be based on merit in the qualifying examination.
7. The students are unable to get placed in the top institutes in a Distance BA Political Science program because in the Distance program placement is not available in India.
Course Highlights
Check out some of the BA Political Science course highlights from the table provided below:
Course Level | Undergraduate |
BA Political Science Duration | 3 years |
Number of Universities for BA Political Science | Over 300 |
BA Political Science Eligibility | The student should have cleared their senior secondary examination with at least 50% marks from a recognized board. |
BA Political Science Admission Process | Merit Based |
BA Political Science Average Fees | INR 5,000 to INR 80,000 |
Average Starting Salary | INR 10,000 to INR 30,000 per month |
BA Political Science Examination Type | Semester wise |
Job profile after BA Political Science | Editor, News Reporter, Writer, Politician, Bank Manager, Clerk, etc. |
Top recruiting fields/areas | Federal, state, and local governments, Law, Business, and international organizations, Non-profit associations and organizations, Electoral politics and polling, Journalism, Research and teaching. |
About Course
BA Political Science or Bachelor of Arts in Political Science is a three-year programme that is taught at the undergraduate level in various Universities and Institutions. In the BA Political Science course, the students learn various things related to politics such as political behaviour, description & analysis of the political system, and theory and practice of politics in both the international and national political system. Throughout the entire duration of the BA Political Science course, students learn plenty of things about public affairs & international relations, governmental procedures & policies, public administration, and modern & historical political systems.
BA Political Science revolves around the various concepts related to politics. The course as a whole touches on various systems of governance, economics, sociology, international relations, global politics, psychology, etc. BA Political Science course gives an idea about how a government functions and teaches how to interpret and analyse political systems. BA Political Science course is ideal for students who have an interest in politics and in learning about the administrative aspects of a country.
In BA Political Science, subjects cover the general news you hear on the news, be it national or international. Subjects in BA Political Science include cover topics such as Indian Politics, Major Governments of the World, Public Administration, Nationalism in India, International Relations, International Politics, and much more. As one takes up higher studies, one gets to understand a wider perspective on the theoretical part and also be a part of various activities as well such as campaigns and MUNs. Read below to know more about BA Political Science course.
Study BA Political Science Abroad
Political science is an important major for lots of reasons - you’re learning about the history of our nation and starting to think about what we need for the future. If you’re studying BA Political Science abroad, there’s a good chance that one day you’ll be involved in running our government. Students pursuing BA Political Science in a foreign country can benefit in terms of environment, personality enrichment and learning international relations skills along. Most countries provide the best master’s degree in Political Science at globally revered universities.
Political science degrees are offered at all levels, including bachelor's and master's. At the undergraduate level, you can study BA political science, and you will often study it as part of a liberal arts model over four years. This means you can either major or minor in political science along with other academic subjects.
Studying BA Political Science abroad will expose you to new and different people, customs, and political institutions. You’ll be inspired to consider the world in a new way and will return home with different and innovative ideas for your own country.
If you’re interested in studying politics abroad, perhaps you should head to England - Oxford University is the second-best school in the world for political science (beat only by Harvard). The University of Cambridge and the London School of Economics and Political Science - both in England, too - are also rated in the top ten political science programs around the world.
Why Choose Course And Required Skills
Over the past years, BA Political Science has emerged as one of the most preferred courses among students in India. There are many benefits of pursuing BA Political Science course, some of which are given below.
1. The BA Political Science course imparts in-depth knowledge about the various dimensions of political science like the study of government, law & order, socio-economic practices, etc.
2. BA Political Science students can find lucrative job offers in the government sector.
3. BA Political Science course opens up exciting career opportunities in various fields like Federal, state, and local governments, Law, Business and international organizations, Non-profit associations and organizations, Electoral politics and polling, Journalism, Research, and teaching.
4. Apart from seeking jobs, students who choose to pursue BA Political Science can further go for higher education in the related field. Either way, their knowledge of the subject builds up.
5. BA Political Science course is a blessing for the students who aim to crack the civil services examination. BA Political Science course helps them cover a major part of the entrance syllabus.
Required Skillset for BA Political Science
There is a lot to cover, so BA political science can seem complex. That’s understandable since the government is complex. It involves a lot of moving parts at many levels that impact the lives of millions of people. Political science attempts to bring this all together into a single field of study. However, there are some skills that you will be required to ace in BA Political Science course.
1. Communication Skills: In BA political science, students learn verbal and written communication skills. Majorly that includes writing articles, which helps in developing good written communication skills. Students also develop interpersonal communication skills through group assignments and in-class meetings and learn how to communicate complicated concepts effectively and persuasively to their targeted audience.
2. Research Skills: BA Political science acquires key study skills by class assignments that include intellectual and persuading articles. Students learn how to do research using academic books and documents, newspaper reports, and other resources. They learn to evaluate these sources and to base a reasonable claim on their analysis.
3. Writing Skills: Many companies need writing skills, and political science student enhances their writing ability through various types of assignments. BA Political science courses may include the assigning of theoretical analysis, academic papers, or evidence-based thesis. In certain schools, students are still composing in-class essays. BA Political science students also concentrate on persuasive research, which helps them in their business sectors.
4. Analytical Skills: Throughout the BA political science curriculum, students develop critical skills by reading numerous papers and references. Students know how to identify the critical data of an in-class topic or article. They also develop their critical skills by reading and debating current affairs in college.
Eligibility
To apply for the BA Political Science course, the students should fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
1. The candidates should have passed class XII from a recognized board to pursue BA Political Science.
2. The candidate should have scored at least 50% marks in their class XII board exams or equivalent exams.
3. Usually, BA Political Science course is for students who have completed class XII in the arts stream, but students from science and commerce stream are also eligible.
Entrance Exams Details
There are a few entrance exams for BA Political Science course that the students must attempt and qualify in order to get admission in the course. Getting a good merit score in the 10+2 examination is essential but there are some universities/colleges that conduct their own entrance exams to admit students in BA Political Science.
Some of the entrance exams are mentioned below:
1. CUET
2. LPUNEST
3. DUET
4. CUCET
5. SUAT
Degree Course Syllabus
BA Political Science course is divided into six semesters. Each year of study comprises of two semesters. The curriculum and syllabus of BA Political Science degree are almost similar for all the top colleges or universities. For better knowledge of students, a general course structure of BA Political Science is given below.
BA Political Science Subjects Semester 1 | BA Political Science Subjects Semester 2 |
Understanding Political Theory | Political Theory - Concepts and Debate |
Constitutional Government and Democracy | Political Process in India |
BA Political Science Subjects Semester 3 | BA Political Science Subjects Semester 4 |
Introduction to Comparative Government and Politics. | Political Process and Institutions in Comparative Perspective |
Perspectives on Public Administration | Public Policy and Administration in India |
Perspectives on International Relations and World History | Global Politics |
BA Political Science Subjects Semester 5 | BA Political Science Subjects Semester 6 |
Classical Political Philosophy | Modern Political Philosophy |
Modern India Political Thought | Indian Political Thoughts |
BA Political Science Syllabus
Below is a comprehensive BA Political Science Syllabus.
BA Political Science Subjects | BA Political Science Syllabus Sub-Topics |
Political Theory | Introduction to Political Theory Institution of State Sovereignty, Citizenship and Rights Liberty, Equality, Property and Justice Development and Changing Forms of Government |
Comparative Government and Politics | Approaches: Traditional, Behavioural, Structural and Constitutional Capitalism, State Socialism, Colonialism and Decolonization Government and Politics in United Kingdom, USA, China, Pakistan, Brazil, Nigeria etc. |
Principles of Public Administration | Public Administration as a discipline and profession Administrative Theories Structure and Functions Control over Administration and Public Policy Personnel Administration Development Administration to New Public Management |
International Politics | Introduction Concepts – Power, Ideology, National Interest Structural Aspects – Balance of Power, Collective Security, Arms Control Major issues and Contemporary Challenges Globalization |
Colonialism in India | Imperialism and Colonialism Foundations of Colonial Rule in India Economy and Society Religion and Society Education Early Indian Responses |
Nationalism in India | Approaches to the study of Nationalism in India Reformism and Anti-Reformism in the 19th century Nationalist Policy and expansion of its Social base Social Movements Partition and Independence |
Constitutional Democracy and Government in India | The Constituent Assembly and Constitution in India Organs of Government Federalism and Decentralization Security Laws |
Political Processes in India | Political Parties and the Party System Elections and the Electoral System Federalism and Regional Aspirations Religion and Politics Caste and Politics Globalization and the Changing Nature of the Indian State |
Public Policy and Administration in India | Public Policy Decentralization Public Finance Citizens and Administration Policies of Social Welfare |
Indian Political Thought | Ved Vyasa – Shantiparva Manu : Social Laws Kautilya : Theory of State Aggannasutta (Digha Nikaya) : Theory of Kingship Barani : Ideal Polity Abul Fazal : Monarchy Kabir : Syncretism Ram Mohan Roy : Rights Pandita Ramabai : Gender Vivekananda : Ideal |
Western Political Thought | Origin of Western Political Thought Origin of modern Political Thought – Niccolo Machiavelli, Thomas Hobbes, John Locke, Jean Jacques Rousseau Enlightenment Movement – Immanuel Kant, Jeremy Bentham, John Stuart Mill |
International Organization | Nature, Basis and Evolution of International Organizations The League of Nations Main Organs of United Nations Other Organs of the United Nations U.N. and Human Rights Regional Conflicts Women’s Rights and Developments Reform and other Critical Issues |
Local Government in India | Local Government & Local Self Government in India Background of Local Governance in India Rural Local Government Urban Local Government Evaluation |
Development Processes and Social Movements in Contemporary India | Perspectives on Development since Independence in India Industrial Development Strategy and its impact on social structure Agrarian Development Strategy and its impact on social structure Social Movements: Old and New Contemporary Rights based concerns |
Understanding South Asia | Understanding South Asia as a region Politics and Governance Socio-Economic Issues Regional Issues and Challenges |
African Polity and Economy | Situating Africa – Pan Africanism and the Third World Africa in the contemporary World Regional Integration: Problem and Prospects |
Feminist Theory and Practice | Approaches to understanding Patriarchy History of Feminism Feminism in India: History and Practice Feminist Perspective on Indian Politics Contemporary Women’s Issues in India |
Dilemmas in Politics | The Moral Economy of Violence The Politics of Exclusion Debates on Human Rights Ecology and Political Responsibility Capabilities and the Politics of Empowerment Global Justice and Cosmopolitanism Feminism |
India’s Foreign Policy | Determinants and Principles of India’s Foreign Policy India and the Global Economic and Political Regimes Changing Relations with the US and Russia during and after Cold War India China Relations India and South Asian States Security Challenges of India India and Regional Organizations – EU, ASEAN, SAARC |
Contemporary Political Economy | Approaches to Political Economy Capitalist Transformation Issues in Development Globalization and Development Dilemmas |
Top Colleges
There are plenty of colleges in India that offer BA Political Science degree courses to students interested in studying social, economic, and political life, nationally and globally.
Some of the best BA Political Science colleges in India are mentioned in the table below:
BA Political Science Top Colleges |
Lady Shri Ram College for Women |
Ramjas College |
Ethiraj College |
Ramnarain Ruia Autonomous College |
St. Albert's College |
Jai Hind College |
St. Xavier’s College |
Kishinchand Chellaram College |
St. Andrews College of Arts, Science and Commerce |
Christ University |
Jawaharlal Nehru University |
University of Madras |
Sarojini Naidu Vanita Maha Vidyalaya |
BA Political Science Top Colleges Abroad
Studying BA Political Science will teach you how to work with numerous cultures, people and entities, and with this kind of learning experience; you can find yourself opening up a range of exciting career possibilities in a variety of areas. So, here are some of the best BA Political Science Colleges Abroad mentioned in the table below:
BA Political Science Colleges | Countries |
Harvard University | USA |
University of Oxford | UK |
Princeton University | USA |
London School of Economics & Political Science | UK |
University of Cambridge | UK |
Stanford University | USA |
Yale University | USA |
The Australian National University | Australia |
National University of Singapore | Singapore |
These are some of the best countries to look out for studying BA Political Science. They provide the most favourable opportunity to learn more about democracy, a type-state that many nations are trying to attain. Many nations still adopt the American style of government in their own nations.
State Wise BA Political Science Colleges
A significant number of top universities/colleges across the country offer a BA Political Science degree to candidates who have successfully passed class XII examinations from a recognized board. Some of the top colleges in each state offering BA Political Science degree are given below along with their BA Political Science Fees.
BA Political Science Top Colleges in Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is one of the largest states in India and home to some very renowned universities offering BA Political Science course. There are plenty of good colleges where students can study the course of their choice. Some of these colleges also offer BA Political Science degree which is quite popular among students. Some of the best BA Political Science colleges in Uttar Pradesh are mentioned in the table below along with their BA Political Science Fees.
BA Political Science Colleges | BA Political Science Fees (INR) |
National Post Graduate College | 10,000 |
Avadh Girls' Degree College | 7,586 |
Chhatrapati Shahu Ji Maharaj University | 57,143 |
University Of Lucknow | 8,554 |
J.V.Jain College | 1,743 |
Baba Baijnath Degree College | 10,000 |
Navyug Kanya Mahavidyalaya | 6,160 |
Amity University | 66,000 |
Christ Church College | 3,185 |
BA Political Science Top Colleges in West Bengal
The state of West Bengal is popular for its universities such as IIT Kharagpur, ISI, Xavier’s College, Jadavpur University, and more. In all these good colleges students can study the course of their choice. Some of these colleges also offer BA Political Science degree which is quite popular among students. Some of the best BA Political Science colleges are mentioned in the table below along with their BA Political Science Fees.
BA Political Science Colleges | BA Political Science Fees (INR) |
Presidency University | 2,000 |
St. Xavier's College | 32,600 |
Adamas University | 100,000 |
Jadavpur University | 2,400 |
Bethune College | 1,181 |
Loreto College | 21,940 |
Scottish Church College | 12,401 |
Gokhale Memorial Girls' College | 13,420 |
Asutosh College | 5,070 |
BA Political Science Top Colleges in Karnataka
In all these good colleges students can study the course of their choice. Some of these colleges also offer BA Political Science degree which is quite popular among students. Some of the best BA Political Science colleges are mentioned in the table below along with their BA Political Science Fees.
BA Political Science Colleges | BA Political Science Fees (INR) |
Kristu Jayanti College | 60,000 |
B.R. Tambakad Arts Commerce And Science First Grade College | 4,913 |
St Joseph's College | 28,800 |
St. Aloysius College | 14,750 |
Indian Academy Group Of Institutions | 171,000 |
Surana College | 24,000 |
Alliance University | 500,000 |
Krupanidhi Group Of Institutions | 192,000 |
BA Political Science Top Colleges in Maharashtra
In all these good colleges students can study the course of their choice. Some of these colleges also offer BA Political Science degree which is quite popular among students. Some of the best BA Political Science colleges are mentioned in the table below along with their BA Political Science Fees.
BA Political Science Colleges | BA Political Science Fees (INR) |
St. Xavier's College | 5,527 |
Fergusson College | 9,355 |
K J Somaiya College Of Arts & Commerce | 8,795 |
Jai Hind College | 5,730 |
Kishinchand Chellaram College | 10,815 |
Kelkar Education Trust's V.G. Vaze College Of Arts Science And Commerce | 6,166 |
Symbiosis College Of Arts And Commerce | 19,100 |
Wilson College | 4,095 |
Elphinstone College | 3,995 |
BA Political Science Top Colleges in Delhi NCR
Delhi is home to some of the best colleges in India. In all these good colleges students can study the course of their choice. Some of these colleges also offer BA Political Science degree which is quite popular among students. Some of the best BA Political Science colleges are mentioned in the table below along with their BA Political Science Fees.
BA Political Science Colleges | BA Political Science Fees (INR) |
Lady Shri Ram College For Women | 15,870 |
Miranda House | 14,160 |
Hindu College | 17,560 |
Ramjas College | 13,495 |
O.P. Jindal Global University | 350,000 |
Jesus And Mary College | 15,610 |
Gargi College | 12,295 |
Sri Venkateswara College | 12,405 |
Kr Mangalam University | 105,000 |
Course Fees
BA in Political Science fees range from INR 5000 to INR 80000. The course fee may vary depending on the college/facilities, universities, and amenities, as well as the level of education offered.
Top Recruiters And Salary
Below is a list of the top organizations that hire BA Political Science Graduates:
1. Indian Civil Service
2. TATA Consultancy
3. High Lantern Group
4. Kroll
5. Google
6. NatWest
7. World Bank

Salary
BA Political Science graduates can find various opportunities in the private sector. The average salary after BA in Political Science is INR 2-10 LPA.
Some of the private jobs for BA Political Science graduates are listed below, along with their salaries:
Salary Details |
Job Roles | Average Salary |
Political Consultant | INR 6 LPA |
Public Relation Officer | INR 7 LPA |
Junior Arbitrator | INR 3.7 LPA |
Historian | INR 5.8 LP |
Course Scope And Career Options
1. One can choose to pursue higher education after completion of BA Political Science degree. There are a lot of academic options like MA Political Science, MA in International Relations, etc.
2. Other than the traditional MA options, there is the option to pursue studies in Law. Students who wish to study law after graduation in political science have the option of a 3-year LLB.
3. If one wants to get directly involved in politics, one must be at least 25 years and should join either an established or new party or can work independently.
4. People can work in offices, manage campaigns, gain experience and take up jobs in embassies, learn a foreign language, and much more. The scope after BA Political Science is bright as the opportunities are endless.
Career Option:
Politics
A career in politics has been gaining popularity with more young people joining the field in recent times. You can work as a politician directly, or you can also act as a political analyst or campaign manager associated with the government or a political party. You can enter the field by volunteering and looking into political parties that match your ideologies after getting a BA Political Science degree.
Social Service
Social service is another means of helping society and people in need without having to get into actual politics and bureaucracy. The career options have grown with the rise in NGOs, government outreach programmes, and with MNCs establishing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) departments.
Journalism
A vast majority of the news covered in media is related to politics, and increasing public awareness means more people are interested in reading the news. A BA Political Science graduates have a thorough understanding of politics and the political environment which makes them ideal candidates for media roles such as political journalists, editors, and correspondents.
Civil Services
A career in civil services such as the IAS (Indian Administrative Service) and IFS (Indian Foreign Services) is one of the most popular choices for those studying BA political science.
Admission Process
The admission process for BA Political Science remains similar for most colleges, here are the steps that are usually followed.
1. Admission to BA Political Science course is based on the cut-off list issued by the university or college.
2. The application forms for BA Political Science are generally released in the month of May or June every year.
3. The application process for BA Political Science is generally released online but for some universities it is offline as well.
4. Students are required to fill out the application form before the deadline.
5. After the declaration of 10+2 results by various boards, universities/ colleges release their respective cut-offs for BA Political Science degree course.
6. If the aggregate percentage obtained by the student in the class XII examination satisfies the cut-off criterion issued by the college, he/she is granted admission in BA Political Science course based on the merit list.
BA Political Science Entrance Exams
There are a few entrance exams for BA Political Science course that the students must attempt and qualify in order to get admission in the course. Getting a good merit score in the 10+2 examination is essential but there are some universities/colleges that conduct their own entrance exams to admit students in BA Political Science.
Some of the entrance exams are mentioned below:
1. CUET
2. LPUNEST
3. DUET
4. CUCET
5. SUAT