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Political Science

43

PUC Arts · pathway 43 of 50

Political Science

BA Political Science · 3 Years (4 Years Honours under NEP)

Choosing arts does not mean escaping numbers: much political analysis now runs on data.

You follow world news, can hold two opposed views in mind and can be persuaded by data you did not hope for. Political theory suits someone who can read a difficult page four times without giving up.

Reading, tracking events and writing analysis someone will act on: briefs short enough for a busy decision-maker, election and survey data, or arguments from dense texts. In diplomacy you represent a position you did not choose; in journalism you report on politics or other countries.

The Indian Foreign Service is one of the smallest and most competitive services, entered through the same UPSC exam; this degree does not shorten that path. Election and survey analysis is expanding in India, while research, think tanks and international bodies mostly expect a masters.

You might like this if you enjoy Law, society & government

Go deeper — Inside the Courses: International Relations · Public Policy · Comparative Politics · Political Theory

pathway 43 · Political Science

The road

  1. SSLCClass 10
  2. 2 yearsPUC — any stream
  3. 3 Years (4 Years Honours under NEP)BA Political Science

Where it goes after that

Work

  1. Policy Analyst
  2. Legislative Assistant
  3. Political Consultant
  4. Journalist
  5. Legislative Researcher
  6. Election Analyst
  7. International Relations Analyst
  8. Years later — Secretary to Government
  9. Years later — Head of Policy
  10. Years later — Professor

Study further

  1. MA Political Science (2Y)
  2. MA Public Policy (2Y)
  3. PhD
  4. MA → PhD
  5. Think-tank research (ORF, CPR)
  6. UGC-NET Political Science
  7. Civil Services (IAS/IPS) — pathway 37
  8. Law (LLB) — pathway 38

Government

  1. IAS / IPS / IFS via UPSC
  2. KAS via KPSC
  3. Parliamentary staff
  4. Ministry of External Affairs roles

Your own

  1. Political consultancy
  2. Policy advisory firm
  3. Advocacy organisation
  4. Campaign strategy consultancy
Who can apply
Passed Class 12 in any stream.

Where to study it A shortlist of well-regarded places, not every college.

In Karnataka · by district

Bengaluru UrbanBangalore University State university · Christ University Bengaluru Deemed university

Other places to study: Delhi University · JNU New Delhi