MA Political Science
MA Political Science or Master of Arts in Political Science is a two-year postgraduate program that focuses on national and international politics including the relationship between international countries, laws and regulation acts, political theories, comparative politics, etc. The course enables the students to gain the required knowledge in the area of Indian and International Politics, the Indian Constitution, General Political Knowledge, etc.
The MA Political Science core subjects include Political Theory and Ideologies. Contemporary Politics, Indian & Western Political Thoughts, Public Administration, International Relations, Human Rights, etc.
MA Political Science requires the candidates to complete Bachelor of Arts in Political Science or an equivalent degree with at least 50% of the aggregate marks or an equal CGPA from a recognized university or Institution. Apart from the merit score, the candidate also needs to qualify for the entrance exams such as CUET-PG, JMI EE, JNUEE, LPUNEST, etc. The average MA Political Science course fees range from INR 7,000 - 1 LPA.
Table of Contents
- What is an MA Political Science Course?
- MA in Political Science Eligibility Criteria
- Why Choose an MA Political Science Course?
- MA Political Science Admission Process
- MA Political Science Entrance Exam
- Top MA Political Science Colleges in India with Fee Details
- Types of MA Political Science Courses
- MA Political Science Syllabus and Subjects
- MA Political Science College Comparison
- MA Political Science Vs MA Economics
- Salary of a MA Political Science Graduate in India
- Courses After MA Political Science
- Careers After MA Political Science
- MA Political Science Scholarships
- Skills to Excel as a MA Political Science Graduate
MA Political Science Course Details
| Degree | Masters |
| Full Form | Master of Arts in Political Science |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Age | No age limit |
| Minimum Percentage | A minimum of 50% aggregate marks or an equal CGPA in an undergraduate program. |
| Average Fees | INR 7,000-1 LPA |
| Similar Options of Study | MA (Sociology), MA (History), MA (Economics) etc. |
| Average Salary | INR 3 - 8 LPA |
| Employment Roles | Fraud Analyst, Sr. Administrative Assistant, Senior Research Associate, Researcher. Administrative Officer |
| Top Recruiters | NDTV, Times of India, KPMG, The Hindu |
What is an MA Political Science Course?
The full form of MA in Political Science is Master of Arts in Political Science. The primary areas of focus for the MA in Political Science are political doctrines, polity, international law, political philosophy, and governance. Top colleges like Banaras Hindu College, Presidency College, LPU, etc., offer MA Political Science courses. The specialization falls under the umbrella of the MA course.
The course focuses on the fundamentals of political science to enable the students to work in diverse job roles such as Political Correspondent, Journalist, Political Content Writer, Government Administrative officer, etc. Prominent companies such as Times of India, The Hindu, Indian Foreign Services, KPMG, etc. recruit students regularly. The average M.A Political Science salary ranges from INR 3 - 8 LPA.
MA in Political Science Eligibility Criteria
The eligibility for MA Political Science courses requires the candidate to fulfill a set of requirements such as age limit, merit score, entrance examination, subject requirements, etc. Listed below are the M.A Political Science eligibility criteria:
- Candidates must have completed a bachelor's degree in political science or an equivalent degree with at least 50% marks for general category students and 45% marks for reserved category students. The students must also appear for entrance examinations such as CUET-PG, JNUEE, LPUNEST, etc.
- There is no age limit for admission into MA Political Science courses.
Why Choose an MA Political Science Course?
MA Political Science course offers a wide range of opportunities for candidates aspiring to work in the political field with its diverse curriculum including political doctrines, polity, international law, political philosophy, and governance. Listed below are some of the pointers on why choosing an MA Political Science course can be the right choice:
- As per the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, the job outlook for the MA Political Science is growing at the rate of 7% between the years 2022-2032.
- Around 600 openings are projected for political science roles every year, and the openings are mostly as a result of retirement or promotion indicating a good career progression.
- The field is expected to have a positive job outlook and employment growth in the next decade
MA Political Science Admission Process
The MA Political Science Admission process is either through entrance exams such as JNU EE, CUCET, etc., or based on the merit score of the undergraduate course in colleges like Sharda University. Listed below is the step-by-step MA in Political Science admission process:
- Step 1: The candidate needs to qualify for the entrance exam as per the requirements of the college.
- Step 2: The student further needs to fill out the college application form either available online on the college's official website or directly on the college campus.
- Step 3: Based on the entrance exam score and the college admission criteria, the candidate will be called for a counseling process or a personal interview.
- Step 4: Upon confirmation of the admission, students can proceed with fee payment and document submission as required by the college.
MA Political Science Entrance Exam
MA Political Science entrance exam such as CUET-PG, LPUNEST, JNUEE, etc. is conducted either at the national or institutional level for the admission process. Tabulated below are some of the important entrance exams for MA Political Science along with the registration date and accepting colleges:
|
MA Political Science Entrance Exam |
Exam Date |
Accepting Colleges |
| Mar 11-Mar 28, 2024 |
Delhi University, BHU, Pondicherry University, etc. |
|
| May 15-May 31, 2024 |
Jawahar Lal Nehru University |
|
| LPU NEST | March 2024 (Tentative) |
Lovely Professional University |
| JMI EE | April 2024 (Tentative) |
Jamia Milia Islamia University |
Top MA Political Science Colleges in India with Fee Details
The average MA Political Science course fee ranges from INR 7,000 to 1 LPA. The MA in Political Science course is offered by private colleges such as LPU, Sharda University, etc., and government colleges such as DU, BHU, Jamia Milia Islamia University, etc. Listed below are the top MA Political Science colleges in India with fee structure:
|
M.A Political Science Colleges |
Average Tuition Fees |
Admission Fees | Miscellaneous MA Political Science Fees |
|
INR 8,000 PA |
INR 1,000 | - | |
|
INR 9,240 PA |
- | INR 6,000-8,000 PA | |
|
INR 7,500 PA |
INR 200 | INR 1,500 PA | |
|
INR 7,000 PA |
INR 100 | - | |
|
INR 12,000 PA |
INR 1,000 | - | |
|
INR 24,000 PA |
INR 1,500 | - | |
|
INR 46,000 PA |
- | INR 15,000 PA | |
|
INR 87,750 PA |
- |
INR 64,000 PA |
|
|
INR 1 LPA |
INR 1,000 |
INR 9,000 PA |
|
|
INR 14,430 PA |
INR 1,500 |
- |
|
|
INR 35,500 PA |
INR 6,000 |
INR 7,650 PA |
|
|
INR 21,120 PA |
INR 5,000 |
INR 5,000 PA |
|
|
INR 42,000 PA |
- |
INR 80,000 PA |
Types of MA Political Science Courses
The MA in Political Science is one of the emerging courses and can be pursued either full-time or in distance education based on the student’s preference. Listed below are the MA Political Science course details:
|
Types |
MA Political Science Eligibility |
MA Political Science Duration |
|
Full-Time MA Political Science |
A minimum of 50% aggregate marks or an equal CGPA in Bachelor of Arts in Political Science or an equivalent degree from any recognized university + Entrance Exam Score |
2 Years |
|
MA in Political Science Distance Education |
A minimum of 50% aggregate marks or an equal CGPA in Bachelor of Arts in Political Science or an equivalent degree from any recognized university |
2-5 Years |
MA Political Science Distance Education Details
The distance MA in Political Science course is UGC-DEB recognized and helps students to understand the fundamentals of the course in their flexible time in a much cost-effective range. Below are a few important pointers regarding the MA Political Science distance education course:
- The course can be pursued in college or universities like the University of Madras, IGNOU, Lovely Professional University, etc
- The average MA Political Science distance education fees range from INR 6,000-30,000 PA.
- The course duration can be extended to a maximum of five years based on the coursework submission.
MA Political Science Syllabus and Subjects
MA Political Science first year syllabus focuses on subjects such as Comparative Politics, Liberal and Post Liberal Political Theory, Political Ideologies, etc. The second year MA in Political Science syllabus covers subjects like Indian Foreign Policy, Regional Politics in India, Conceptual Issues in Political Sociology, etc.
Listed below are the important MA Political Science subjects and the topics covered:
|
MA Political Science Subjects |
Topics Covered |
|
Contemporary Political Theory |
Politics as the art of government, Approaches to the study of Politics, Political ideologies, Elements of Liberalisation |
|
Western Political Thought |
Plato-Aristotle, Hobbes-Locke- Rousseau, St. Thomas Aquinas – St. Augustine- Machiavelli, Bentham-J.S.Mill-Hegal |
|
Indian Constitution |
Salient features of the Indian Constitution, The Union Executive, The House of People and the Council of States, The Supreme Court as the Apex Court |
|
International Relations |
Nature Scope Purpose of International Relations, India’s Foreign Policy, Function and Types of Diplomacy, Third World in International Relations |
|
Modern Governments |
United Kingdom Salient Feature of the Constitution, US Salient Feature of the Constitution, People’s Republic of China, Japan |
Read More: MA in Political Science Syllabus and Subjects
MA Political Science College Comparison
The MA Political Science course is offered by both government and private colleges in India with a key focus on equipping the students with the required knowledge and understanding of Indian and International politics. Here is the comparison between the top three colleges offering MA Political Science courses based on various parameters:
|
College Name |
Lovely Professional University |
Madras Christian College |
Presidency University |
|
Average Fees |
INR 1 LPA |
INR 56,270 PA |
INR 40,000 PA |
|
Admission Process |
A minimum of 50% aggregate marks or an equal CGPA in Bachelor of Arts in Political Science or an equivalent degree from any recognized university |
A minimum of 50% aggregate marks or an equal CGPA in Bachelor of Arts in Political Science or an equivalent degree from any recognized university |
A minimum of 50% aggregate marks or an equal CGPA in Bachelor of Arts in Political Science or an equivalent degree from any recognized university |
|
Top Recruiters |
Capgemini, IBM, India TV |
ICICI, Accenture, Zoho |
ICICI Bank, Genpact, ZEE |
|
Average Placement |
INR 5 LPA |
INR 3.5 LPA |
INR 4 LPA |
MA Political Science Vs MA Economics
MA Political Science courses aim to impart knowledge and understanding of the Indian constitution, democracy, foreign democracies, international law, and regulations, etc. whereas the MA Economics course covers extensively international financial economics, macroeconomics, microeconomics, utilization of resources in various sectors, etc.
Tabulated below is the comparison between MA Political Science and MA Economics:
|
Course |
MA Political Science |
MA Economics |
|
Full Form |
Master of Arts in Political Science |
Master of Arts in Economics |
|
Course Overview |
This course focuses mainly on Indian and international politics through a wide range of topics ranging from Indian democracy to modern politics. |
This course aims at helping the students understand the concepts of economics through a diverse curriculum including Microeconomic theory, theory of pricing and distribution etc. |
|
Stream |
Arts |
Arts |
|
Duration |
2 Years |
2 Years |
|
Eligibility |
A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in previous qualifying exams from a recognized university |
A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in previous qualifying exams from a recognized university |
|
Entrance Exams |
CUET-PG, JNUEE, JMI EE, etc. |
CUET PG, CUCET |
|
Top Colleges |
Presidency College, University of Calcutta, University of Delhi |
Madras Christian College, Loyola College, Jawaharlal Nehru University |
|
Average Fees |
INR 7,000-1 LPA |
INR 6,000-70,000 PA |
|
Average Salary |
INR 3-8 LPA |
INR 5-7 LPA |
|
Job Role |
Journalist, Risk Analyst, Political Writer |
Professional Economist, Data Analyst, Equity Analyst |
Read More: MA Economics
Salary of a MA Political Science Graduate in India
The average MA Political Science salary ranges from INR 3-8 LPA based on the knowledge and skill set. The MA in Political Science salary is determined by various factors such as job designation, job location, work experience, etc. Listed below are the salary of a MA Political Science graduate for various job roles:
|
MA Political Science Salary |
Entry Level Salary |
Salary After 3 Years of Experience |
|
Policy Analyst |
INR 4 LPA |
INR 11 LPA |
|
Public Relations Officer |
INR 3 LPA |
INR 6.8 LPA |
|
Political Reporter |
INR 3.9 LPA |
INR 8 LPA |
|
Media Strategist |
INR 4.2 LPA |
INR 9.7 LPA |
|
Campaign Manager |
INR 3 LPA |
INR 7.6 LPA |
Read More: MA Political Salary and Jobs
Courses After MA Political Science
After successful completion of the MA Political Science courses, candidates can opt for higher education to enhance their knowledge in the field of political science for better career prospects. Listed below are some of the course recommendations that can be pursued after an MA Political Science:
- MSc International Relations
- MSc Business and Diplomatic Studies
- MBA in Human Resource Management
- MSc National Security Studies
- MA LLB
- MA in Human Rights
- M.Phil Political Science
- Ph.D. Political Science
Careers After MA Political Science
MA in Political Science graduates have vast career opportunities in various fields such as banking, finance, media and news, information technology, accounting firms, etc. Listed below are the career opportunities for MA Political Science graduates:
|
Job Designations |
Hiring Company |
Average Salary |
|
Policy Analyst |
Times of India, Zoho, Zee |
INR 5 LPA |
|
Legislative Assistant |
Axis Bank, HDFC, Capgemini |
INR 3.3 LPA |
|
Public Relations Officer |
Green Trends, Tata Motors, HCL Tech |
INR 5.8 LPA |
|
Media Strategist |
Zee, NDTV, Muthoot Finance |
INR 4.7 LPA |
|
Campaign Manager |
Paytm, TCS, TVS Credit Services |
INR 3 LPA |
Top Recruiters for MA Political Science
MA Political Science graduates are recruited by top companies in different fields such as KPMG, HDFC, News 18, Times of India, etc. Listed below are the top companies hiring for MA Political Science graduates along with the salary details:
|
Top Recruiters |
Average Entry Level Salary |
|
KPMG |
INR 4.19 LPA |
|
Paytm |
INR 4.0 LPA |
|
HDFC |
INR 5.8 LPA |
|
The Hindu |
INR 4.0 LPA |
|
Times of India |
INR 5.20 LPA |
Sources: (Glassdoor & Ambition Box)
MA Political Science Scholarships
Students aiming to pursue an MA Political Science can opt for scholarships provided by private and government organizations based on various factors like merit score, annual income, etc. Listed below are the MA Political Science scholarships along with their benefits and eligibility criteria:
|
MA Political Science Scholarships |
Eligibility Criteria |
Amount |
|
NSP Post Matric Scholarships Scheme for Minorities |
Students who have secured more than 50% marks in the previous final examination and the annual income of their parents should not exceed Rs.1.00 lakh PA |
INR 10,000 |
|
Post Matric Scholarship for Minorities (Karnataka) |
Students who secure more than 50% marks in the previous qualifying examination and have an annual family income of less than INR 2.5 Lakh PA |
INR 30,000 |
|
NEC Merit Scholarship |
Must be a permanent resident of any of the North Eastern States, should not be receiving financial assistance from any other source |
INR 25,000 PA |
|
Swami Vivekananda Scholarship |
Candidate must be a permanent resident of West Bengal, studying in a government-recognized educational institution in West Bengal. |
INR 5,000 Per Month |
Skills to Excel as a MA Political Science Graduate
To excel in a career as an MA Political Science graduate, a candidate must develop a strong set of soft skills and domain expertise. Given below are some of the most important skills for MA Political Science graduates:
- Research Skills: Most of the job roles for MA Political Science involve the candidate doing extensive research and analysis, it is important to develop research skills
- Communication Skills: Candidates must have effective written and oral communication as it is essential for presenting research findings, formulating policies, and working with diverse stakeholders.
- Data Analysis: The candidate must have a basic understanding of data analysis as more companies are moving towards data-driven policymaking
Top MA Political Science Colleges
Top Arts Entrance Exams
MA Political Science Fee Structure
FAQs on MA Political Science
Q: Can I do an MA in Political Science in one year?
A: No, The course duration for MA Political Science for full-time courses is two years.
Q: Is MA Political Science a good degree?
A: The MA Political Science course offers great career opportunities and career growth and enables the candidate to be well-equipped with analytical skills, research skills, writing and debate skills to help them work with prominent companies.
Q: Is MA Political Science useful for UPSC?
A: Yes, the subjects and syllabus discussed in the course curriculum will help the candidate in preparing for the UPSC Examinations. However, the eligibility criteria for UPSC exams is that the candidate must have completed any bachelor’s degree hence this is not a requirement.
Q: What is the scope of an MA in Political Science?
A: After successful completion of the course, candidates can be employed in various job roles such as News Reporter, Policy Analyst, Journalist, Communications Coordinator, Public Administrator, Political pollster, etc.
Q: What specializations are available under the MA in Political Science course?
A: Students can choose elective subjects like Human Rights and Social Justice, Political Communication, Environmental Politics, etc.
