MA in Political Science Syllabus and Subject List
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MA in Political Science is a 2-year postgraduate program divided into 4 semesters covering core topics such as Political Theory, Western & Indian Political Thought, International Relations, Comparative Politics, and Public Administration. Students must complete core modules, electives, and a compulsory research project or dissertation.
Below is a detailed breakdown of the semester-wise syllabus, core sub-disciplines, elective streams, research project guidelines, recommended reference books, and top colleges offering the degree in India.
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Duration | 2 Years (4 Semesters) |
| Eligibility Criteria | Bachelor’s degree in any stream (preferably Arts/Humanities) with 45% – 55% aggregate marks |
| Core Sub-Disciplines | Political Theory, Indian Political Thought, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Indian Politics, Public Administration |
| Course Fee Range | INR 20,000 to 80,000 (Regular) / INR 10,000 to 25,000 (Distance) |
| Admission Mode | Entrance Exam (e.g., CUET PG, PUMDET) or Merit-Based |
| Average Starting Salary | INR 4 – 8 LPA |
M.A. Political Science Subjects Year-wise
The course curriculum is divided into first-year foundational papers and second-year analytical and specialized papers. For distance learners at institutes like IGNOU, the first-year core course codes are designated as MPS-1, MPS-2, MPS-3, and MPS-4.
| Semester | Core / Compulsory Papers | Subject Details & Modules |
|---|---|---|
| Semester I | Modern Political Analysis / Political Theory | Modern Political Analysis: Theories and Models; Political Theory: Issues, Ideologies and Debates; Western Political Thought-I; Theory of International Politics; Human Rights in India |
| Semester I | Indian & Western Thought | Western Political Thought and Ideologies (Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Marx, Lenin) |
| Semester II | Indian Thought & International Relations | Indian Political Thought; Western Political Thought-II; Theory of Political Sociology; International Relations; Emerging Issues in Indian Politics |
| Semester II | Government & Public Administration | Indian Government and Politics (Constitutional Framework, Rights, Executive, Judiciary, Federalism, Local Governance); Public Administration |
In the second year, the focus shifts toward advanced administrative frameworks, international institutions, foreign policy analysis, and practical research work.
| Semester | Paper Title | Key Subject Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Semester III | Indian Political System | Structure, Constitutional Dynamics, and Governance in India |
| Semester III | Administrative Theory | New Public Administration, New Public Management, Grassroots Governance |
| Semester III | Contemporary Political Thought & Foreign Policy | Contemporary Political Thought, India in World Affairs, Theory of Comparative Politics |
| Semester IV | Ethics and Politics & Indian Administration | Ethical Frameworks in Governance, Indian Administrative Structure |
| Semester IV | Research Methodology & International Bodies | Research Methods in Political Science, International Organizations and Administration |
| Semester IV | Project Report / Dissertation | Compulsory Dissertation, Field Survey, or Research Internship Report |
Core Sub-Disciplines in M.A. Political Science Curriculum
The standard M.A. Political Science postgraduate curriculum organizes modules across primary academic sub-disciplines to build complete domain expertise.
| Sub-Discipline | Focus Areas | Key Topics Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Political Theory | Normative and empirical political concepts | Freedom, Equality, Justice, Rights, Civil Society, State Theories |
| Indian Political Thought | Ancient to modern Indian thinkers | Statecraft, Swaraj, Nyaya, Community, Perspectives on Social Transformation |
| International Relations | Global politics and foreign policy | Structural Realism, Neoliberal Institutionalism, Foreign Policy of India, Global Political Economy |
| Comparative Politics | Comparative governance and systems | State Forms, Comparative Party Systems, Nationalism, Social Movements |
| Indian Politics | Political dynamics of democratic India | Elections, Voting Behaviour, Federalism, Caste & Class Dynamics, Judicial Activism |
| Public Administration | Administrative theories and execution | Contextual Public Administration, Grassroots Governance, Indian Administration |
M.A. Political Science Electives and Specialisations
Students can choose optional papers during their third and fourth semesters to specialize in areas like diplomacy, statecraft, democracy, or policy formulation.
| Category | Elective Subject Name | Overview |
|---|---|---|
| Political Theory & Philosophy | Theory and Practice of Democracy | Analysis of democratic institutions, citizenship, and public sphere debates |
| Indian Studies | Ancient Indian Political Thought | Exploration of classical Indian political philosophy and statecraft traditions |
| International Studies | Strategic Studies & International Law | Security policies, conflict resolution, global legal frameworks |
| Governance & Policy | Public Policy Studies | Formulation, implementation, and evaluation of government policies |
| Comparative & State Politics | Theories of Nationalism & Nation-Building | Study of identity politics, state formation, and anti-colonial movements |
M.A. Political Science Practicals and Projects
- Research Project / Dissertation Credits: At CSJM University Kanpur, each semester of the PG program includes a 4-credit Research Project or Dissertation, totaling 8 credits per year.
- Flexible Fieldwork Formats: The project can be completed as an internship, survey, field work, or research project.
- Publication Marks Incentive: Students at CSJM University are straight away awarded 25 marks if they publish a research paper based on their Research Project or Dissertation.
At CSJM University Kanpur, each semester of the PG program includes a 4-credit Research Project or Dissertation. Students are straight away awarded 25 marks if they publish a research paper based on their topic.
Books for M.A. Political Science
Essential literature for reading includes foundational works such as “The Prince” by Niccolo Machiavelli, “Second Treatise of Government” by John Locke, “The Republic” by Plato, “Leviathan” by Thomas Hobbes, and “The Social Contract” by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
Standard textbook references commonly prescribed in university syllabi are listed below.
| Book Title | Author / Editor | Subject Domain |
|---|---|---|
| Modern Political Analysis | Robert A. Dahl | Political Analysis & Empirical Methods |
| A History of Political Thought | S. Mukherjee & S. Ramaswamy | Western Political Thought |
| An Introduction to Political Theory | O.P. Gauba | Political Theory & Concepts |
| Political Theory: An Introduction | Rajeev Bhargava & Ashok Acharya | Political Concepts & Debates |
| Introduction to the Constitution of India | D.D. Basu | Indian Constitution & Polity |
| Politics in India | Rajni Kothari | Indian Democratic Processes |
| Theory of International Politics | Kenneth Waltz | International Relations Theory |
M.A. Political Science vs M.A. Public Administration
While both postgraduate degrees deal with governance and political systems, their core curriculum orientation, course outcomes, and primary job profiles differ.
| Parameter | MA Political Science | MA Public Administration |
|---|---|---|
| Course Focus | Political Theory, IR, Comparative Politics, Indian Polity & Administration | Governance, Public Policy, Bureaucracy, Development Administration |
| Course Duration | 2 Years (4 Semesters) | 2 Years (4 Semesters) |
| Average Annual Fee | INR 20,000 – INR 80,000 | INR 6,000 – INR 65,000 |
| Average Salary Package | INR 4 – 8 LPA | INR 3 – 7 LPA |
Top Colleges and Fees for M.A. Political Science
At least 988 colleges offer M.A. Political Science in India, including 178 government colleges and 251 private institutions. Government colleges report a median total course fee of ₹17,000, with the middle half ranging between ₹9,362 and ₹32,110 based on data from 87 colleges. Private colleges show a median total course fee of ₹23,680, with the middle half between ₹14,600 and ₹45,000 across 171 colleges with fee data.
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee | NIRF rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hindu College New Delhi | Delhi | University | ₹55,510 | 1 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jawaharlal Nehru University | Delhi | Government | — | 2 (Overall, 2025) |
| Kirori Mal College | Sonipat | Private | ₹33,366 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jamia Millia Islamia University | Delhi | Government | ₹20,350 | 4 (Overall, 2025) |
| Delhi University | Delhi | Government | ₹16,352 | 5 (Overall, 2025) |
| Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Government | ₹6,000 | 6 (Overall, 2025) |
| Atma Ram Sanatan Dharma College | Delhi | Government | ₹35,732 | 7 (Overall, 2025) |
| St. Xavier’s College Kolkata | Kolkata | Private (aided) | ₹2.18 lakh | 8 (Overall, 2025) |
| Jadavpur University | Kolkata | Government | ₹7,800 | 9 (Overall, 2025) |
| College | City | Ownership | Total course fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jagannath Nagar College | Ranchi | Government | ₹5,650 |
| S.S. Memorial College | Ranchi | Government | ₹5,800 |
| Gujarat University | Ahmedabad | Government | ₹5,860 |
| Banaras Hindu University | Varanasi | Government | ₹6,000 |
| Government Post Graduate College Champawat | Champawat | Government | ₹6,000 |
| Takshashila Mahavidyalaya | Amravati | Government | ₹6,098 |
| Alipurduar College | Alipurduar | Government | ₹7,050 |
| Govt. Degree College Badaun | Badaun | Government | ₹7,063 |
| Bastar University | Bastar | Government | ₹7,170 |
| Mata Jijabai Govt. Girls P.G. College | Indore | Government | ₹7,256 |
How to Apply for M.A. Political Science Admission in 2026: Step by Step
- Check Eligibility Criteria: Ensure you completed a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (preferably Arts and Humanities) with 45% to 55% aggregate marks.
- Register for Entrance Examinations: Apply for written tests or qualifying examinations conducted by target institutes or universities.
- Appear for Entrance Exams or Selection Rounds: Take written entrance tests, personal interviews, or participate in merit-based evaluation as required.
- Track Cut-Off Scores and Merit Lists: Check the merit lists and percentile cut-off scores released by universities to complete admission.
| What to do | Where | Link |
|---|---|---|
| Compare colleges, fees and cutoffs | M.A. Political Science colleges in India | findmycollege.com |
Candidates must hold a Bachelor’s degree with 45% to 55% aggregate marks to be eligible. The median total course fee is ₹17,000 in government colleges and ₹23,680 in private colleges.
FAQs
What are the subjects in MA Political Science?
MA Political Science core subjects include Political Theory, Western Political Thought, Indian Political Thought, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Indian Government and Politics, Administrative Theory, and Research Methodology.
How many subjects are in MA Political Science?
MA in Political Science is structured across 4 semesters over a total duration of 2 years. The curriculum covers six main sub-disciplines, including Political Theory, International Relations, Comparative Politics, Indian Politics, Indian Political Thought, and Public Administration.
Who is eligible for MA Political Science?
Candidates who have completed a Bachelor’s degree in any discipline (preferably Arts and Humanities) from a recognized university with a minimum of 45% to 55% aggregate marks are eligible.
What are the job opportunities after MA Political Science?
Graduates can work as Political Consultants, Academicians, Political Analysts, Legislative Assistants, Intelligence Analysts, Journalists, and Public Relations Managers, with average starting packages of INR 4-8 LPA.
What are the best books for Political Science students?
Recommended books include ‘Modern Political Analysis’ by Robert A. Dahl, ‘An Introduction to Political Theory’ by O.P. Gauba, ‘Introduction to the Constitution of India’ by D.D. Basu, and ‘Politics in India’ by Rajni Kothari.
