MA Political Science is a two-year postgraduate academic degree that focuses on the study of governance models, methods, and processes in a society. Students study political structures at the local, national, and international levels. MA Political Science degrees can be obtained from a variety of institutes via traditional, distance, or online means.
The minimum MA Political Science eligibility requirement is a bachelor's degree from a recognized college with an aggregate score of at least 45%. It is suggested that candidates complete their undergraduate degree in Political Science or a similar field. However, most universities accept students from all disciplines if they meet the entrance exam cutoffs.
MA in Political Science syllabus comprises courses in Political Economy, Political Theory, Political Philosophy, and Political Sociology. The admission can be obtained by entrance tests such as the CUET PG, URATPG, and JMI Entrance Exam.
Some of the best MA Political Science colleges in India include Delhi University, St. Xavier's College, St. Joseph's University, Sharda University, Madras Christian College, and Galgotias University.
Table of Contents
- MA Political Science Highlights
- What is MA Political Science?
- Why Study MA in Political Science?
- Who Should Study MA Political Science?
- MA Political Science Eligibility Criteria
- MA Political Science Entrance Exams
- MA Political Science Colleges in India
- MA Political Science Admission Process
- MA Political Science Syllabus
- MA Political Science Job Opportunities in India
- MA Political Science Vs Master of Public Administration
- MA Political Science FAQs
MA Political Science Highlights
Below are the key highlights of the MA Political Science course in India:
What is MA Political Science?
MA in Political Science course teaches students the philosophy and practice of governance and politics at the local, state, national, and international levels. MA Political Science is committed to building an understanding of the institutions, behaviors, and relationships that make up public life, as well as modes of inquiry that encourage citizenship.
- It is a postgraduate degree that explores various political theories, ideologies, and the functioning of government institutions. The course covers subjects like comparative politics, political sociology, public administration, international relations, and global political economy.
- The program is designed to prepare students to analyze political systems and contribute to political discourse and policy-making.
- Through theoretical and practical exposure, the course provides students with the analytical tools required to assess political events, trends, and policies both at a national and global level.
Why Study MA in Political Science?
A master's degree in Political Science provides an interdisciplinary education that focuses on facets of governance such as political doctrines, polity, international law, political philosophy, and governance.
- The global scope of the course gives an insight on political systems and equips with influential roles in the field of public administration, policy making, diplomacy, academia, journalism, law, and civil services.
- In addition, the degree enables students to acquire transferable skills applicable in the private sector, including corporate communication and corporate consulting.
- An MA in Political Science helps candidates to opt for a Ph.D. in public administration and international relations. It leads to well-paying employment opportunities in the government, international organizations such as UN, think tanks and media houses.
Who Should Study MA Political Science?
The Master of Arts Political Science is the study of political systems, beliefs, institutions, and behaviors. Students are interested in political science because it provides a solid foundation for anyone pursuing a career in politics, government, or public service. The Master of Arts in Political Science provides insights into how political systems work, teaches fundamental concepts and theories, and develops analytical, communication, and problem-solving abilities. Here are the ideal candidates who should opt for this course:
- Candidates interested in the Indian political landscape can be studied in various ways, from political parties and elections to public policy and governance.
- Candidates interested in investigating the function of government in society, the interactions of various branches of government, and the relationships between governments and civil society actors.
- Candidates who also want to investigate the influence of globalization, regionalization, and international organizations on national and local politics. Political science is particularly relevant in India.
MA Political Science Eligibility Criteria
To enroll in the Master of Arts Political Science in India, the applicant needs to meet certain criteria, without which admission into this course is not possible. Mentioned below are the eligibility criteria taken from Sharda University.
The eligibility requirements for the course are given below:
- Academic Qualification: Applicants must hold a bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized university following the B.A. (Hons.)/ B.A./B.Sc. (Hons)/B.Sc. under the 10+2+3 pattern.
- The subject for which admission is requested must have been studied for all three years at the undergraduate level.
- Minimum Marks Requirement: A minimum of 50% aggregate marks in Social Sciences and 55% aggregate marks in Science and Technology subjects are required.
MA Political Science Entrance Exams
The majority of schools and universities providing an MA Political Science program in India use a merit-based admissions method. However, in other institutes, admission to the course is based on the candidate's success in a relevant written test, a round of personal interviews, and/or a relevant qualifying examination. The following table lists the main entrance tests, along with their schedules.
MA Political Science Colleges in India
India is home to several prestigious colleges that offer an MA in Political Science. Here’s a list of top colleges:
MA Political Science Admission Process
The process of admission for Master of Arts Political Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) is as follows:
Step 1: Candidates must go to the official JNU admissions website (JNU Admission Portal) and complete the registration procedure by entering personal, academic, and contact information. They must also upload the required papers (a passport-sized photograph, signature, and academic certifications) and pay the application fee.
Step 2: Candidates must take the CUET PG. The exam will assess the understanding of political science, general awareness, and analytical abilities.
Step 3: Once the results are out, candidates must go to the official website to check their exam scores and rankings. The results are usually available online a few weeks after the exam.
Step 4: Candidates will be invited for counseling based on their CUET PG scores. MA Political Science program counseling procedure will be handled online, and candidates will be asked to select their preferred courses.
Step 5: Once the seat allocation has been completed, candidates must visit the JNU campus (or complete the online document verification procedure) to verify their academic documents. This step confirms that all of the information entered during registration is accurate.
Step 6: Following document verification, candidates will be required to pay the first installment of the tuition price and any other applicable costs. The payment is normally completed online through the JNU admissions webpage.
Step 7: Once the payment is confirmed and the document verification process is done, JNU will finalize the acceptance to the program. The candidates will then get confirmation of admission, and the academic session will begin according to the university's schedule.
Step 8: Visit the official JNU website frequently for information on the admissions schedule and any modifications to the admission process.
Documents Required
- Undergraduate mark sheets
- Valid ID proof
- Entrance exam scorecard
- Passport-sized photographs
MA Political Science Syllabus
The syllabus varies with the universities, but the essential course modules stay the same. Here’s the MA Political Science syllabus from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), one of the most prestigious institutions for this course:
MA Political Science Job Opportunities in India
A Master of Arts in Political Science can lead to a progressive career in administration, journalism, research, and politics. Graduates from this program have also expressed interest in competitive exams for government employment in the Public Service sector.
With a strong probability of becoming a well-known personality in the country, these experts can earn anywhere from INR 4 to 8 LPA. The table below displays some of the most prevalent MA Political Science jobs, along with the average salary scale. Here are the top ten career prospects for graduates in India, as compiled by Indeed and Naukri.com:
MA Political Science Vs Master of Public Administration
Master of Arts Political Science focuses more on the theoretical and how to understand politics and governance; it is best suited to those specializing in research and policy analysis. Master of Public Administration is a course aimed more at the practice of governance and management of public services and is appropriate to those positions in administrative and management in the public sector.
MA Political Science FAQs
Is pursuing an MA in Political Science a smart career path?
Yes, MA Political Science is an excellent professional path for people who want to understand political systems, government, and public policy. It provides extensive options for public administration, research, international relations, political consultancy, and civil service. Graduates can work for think tanks, political parties, government agencies, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It also serves as a solid foundation for furthering one's education with MPhil or PhD programs. The demand for political analysts, policy researchers, and consultants is increasing, with secure career opportunities and excellent compensation.
What is the scope of MA in Political Science?
There is a very wide range of career prospects in India that can be availed by the graduates such as civil services- IAS, IPS, and IFS, policy analysis, law, public administration, journalism, political consultancy, and international affairs. Graduates learn important skills in research, writing, policy making and communication which makes them fit in the government sectors, NGOs, think tanks, media and corporations.
What is the salary of a political science professor in India?
In India, the salary of a political science professor is between INR 2.7 lakh to INR 3.9 LPA for an academic year. Professors in well-known colleges or universities usually have a decent chance of getting increases in salary, grants for research, and consultancy in addition to academic compensation.
Which is best, MA History or MA Political Science?
MA Political Science focuses on careers related to governance, policy-making, law, civil services, international relations, and public administration in contemporary political systems and their structure in the society. The MA History provides a deep understanding about the past, civilizations and cultures, which is applicable in the careers, such as research, archeology, museum curators, teaching, and archival work.
Can I obtain a job after earning my MA in Political Science?
Yes, after earning an MA in Political Science, you can work in government, international organizations, think tanks, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), or the private sector. Graduates often work as political analysts, policy consultants, civil services officers, academic researchers, or public relations specialists. Many people begin the media and journalism as political reporters. A master's degree in political science offers doors to a wide range of employment prospects, with many graduates landing positions that need their talents in research, communication, and political strategy. Additional credentials or internships may improve career prospects.
